Engine Turning.

This stamp more than adequately illustrates this amazing art form.
It is just exsquisite.
In 11 years of collecting I have never found more than an overview of the art of engine turning.
Is anyone aware of any in depth information, pics, explanation,
reviews, machinery etc?
It would be very much appreciated.

Here is her Majesty in all her glory.

HA HA, I have to admit, that when I first read the thread title, I thought you were having trouble starting your car!

I also have to admit, although I figured out it had to have something to do with the intricate geometric artwork in the background and surrounding the portrait, I had to Google engine turning to find out exactly what it was!

Also looking forward to reading any subsequent posts for additional info!

k

In the digital age a dead art form. What a shame.

Here is how engine turning is applied to metal...whether the process is the same for engraving plates, I do not know.

http://www.workingpsychology.com/di...eweling.html

For what its worth.

Collin

[edit: link would be useful]

We are beginning to get somewhere guys.........
Apparently it is better if we refer to it as the "Rose Engine"

http://www.rgmwatches.com/engine.html

i disagree she is not in all her glory. :)

i disagree she is not in all her glory. :)

You are an artful dodger, Spock Ik.

Sorry to be off-topic, but I just remembered as a kid I had a toy called Spiro-Graph -- geared wheels of various sizes and a set of pens in different colors for drawing geometric patterns.

I loved spirograph I use to play with it for hours

Dianne

That's it, that's basically how it works Kirk,
well done you,
yes the old plakky Spiro Graph indeed.
offset cam idea.
I'd still love to get the inside "nuts and bolts" info
on how it was done practically.
To reach that degree of finess in something as small as
a postage stamp is near on unbelievable.

I remember (hazily) when I was a hippy in London
in the seventies, there used to be these guys on the sidewalk
with black kraft paper and scissors, and they would cut your profile out in minutes, the size of a packet of cigarettes.
(nothing to do with stamps, just thought I would tell you)

I still have a spirograph, but haven't used it for years.

Steve

I think that the term you may want to use when referring to this on stamps is "lathework".

Here's an example of some on the selvedge of an Admiral stamp.

Whatever you call it, it is sometimes good looking and sometimes pretty ugly.

When something is less pretty,
it develops character to compensate :)

Glenn:

It's interesting to see it on that selvedge when it doesn't appear to factor into the design of the actual stamp itself. Wouldn't it be nice to see the entirety of whatever was below the admiral.

Kirk