As part of Flathead Valley Community College’s summer gunsmithing program, artisan engraver Diane Scalese will teach “Basic Hand Engraving” May 18-22.
Scalese, a full-time engraver who resides in Big Sandy, Mont., has been engraving bits, spurs, trophy belt buckles, saddle silver and jewelry for nearly 30 years and began instructing the trade in 2002. She earned Firearms Engravers Guild of America Master Engraver status in 2001, and two years later, Academy of Western Artists honored her Engraver of the Year.
Scalese has designed FVCC’s course for the beginner engraver or anyone who would like to review the basics of single point engraving in steel. Students will engrave on steel practice plates and will study proper tool preparation, shading, metal inlays, transferring patterns, lettering, background treatments, scroll design and graver shaping and sharpening. The course is designed for using air-assisted equipment and power hones.
“Basic Hand Engraving” will run Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on FVCC’s Kalispell campus. The cost to enroll in the course is $495, and advanced registration is required. It is one of 14 courses that make up FVCC’s National Rifle Association-approved summer gunsmithing program.
For more information about FVCC’s gunsmithing program or the registration process, call (406) 756-3832, or visit www.fvcc.edu/gunsmithing.html. For technical questions and information about required supplies and materials, contact Fred Zeglin at (406)756-4410 or [email protected].