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Originally Posted by Graham Short
Guys, it's only the last few years I've realised that this miniature work is being regarded as an art form. The magnification has been 'magnified' by the press along the way! I think the confusion was caused because when journalists came to see the microscope I use. They could see it has a maximum 400x magnification. I work under a microscope, not a glass, much less than 400x, and when the finished job is viewed it is set in a domed case under a 30x or 40x microscope.
I've been working on steel pins for years, but again, it's only recently I've started using gold pins. Much easier to work on. Last year I finished a portrait of our queen on a grain of rice. not so much a caricature, but a real drawing of her, showing her hair and the jewels in her crown. For some reason, this didn't get the publicity I'd hoped for. I now have an agent managing my affairs and everything is going well.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Graham Short
(Steve, the flat I put on the blade is as large as I can get away with!) I couldn't do it without.
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The thickness of the razor blade I engraved measures .009". The lettering height I was estimating .005" with a .002" border on each side. If it is closer to .0015" then it would be .006" high. I timed the lettering. It took 12 minutes but not including the time to make the carbide needle. It went quicker than the knife lettering video since there was less area to cover, plus I was trying to go quick since it was being timed.
I think most razor blades are hardened. 55rc? Unless the blade is annealed it would probably be close to the hardness of a carbon steel point. I didn't anneal the blade since carbide would be harder than the razor blade. To make it easier anneal the blade first by using a torch or since the blade is so thin a candle flame to heat it up and let it air cool. That would soften it. Then polish the edge with fine sand paper.
Chris that is pretty cool about the lettering with atoms link!
Here is something else. Check out this microscopic mechanical motor.
It runs on bacteria!
http://www.livescience.com/7112-mach...-microbes.html
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