Engraving/ incising/ low relief?

[Jaded Monk]

I am finishing a working replica of the Key to Hamunaptra and need some thoughts on how to accomplish the hieroglyphics (thanks to Division6 for the scan.)

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So far I am considering;
Thin sheets of polymer clay or epoxy putty. Incise the glyphs.
Cut the glyphs in styrene and glue them on.
...

Laser is out because I really don't want to digitize every glyph.

Anybody ever do something similar and have any techniques they can share? I appreciate any suggestions.

Cheers,

JM

 

[Lear60man]

Sharpie pen the designs and use a micro bit with the pen attachment on a Dremel. Or sculpt it out of clay and use the other end of a small brush and press it into the clay. Mold it.

 

[LeMarchand]

Trace the engravings in illustrator or corel and have them etched. Eventhough you mention you don't want to, in the end it will pay off in quality

 

[Loess]

Here are a couple tutorials about how to electro-chem etch brass. If you put a resist on brass or copper sheet stock, you could then scrape off the resist where you wanted the incised lines of the glyphs.

One important tip... don't run as much current through your parts as the author does. Excess current will cause ragged edges and uneven etching. One popular way to limit the current is to put a light bulb in line with the etch tank, that will reduce the current to something less likely to explode the battery.

 

[SmilingOtter]

Ferric chloride (pc board etchant, available at some Radio Shacks and elsewhere) can also be used to etch metals.