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Engine Turning

Overview

Engine turning is about inscribing geometric patterns onto an object -- typically something metal. This is work done on a rose engine lathe, and is often done on high end watches.

This is used done on a Straight Line Machine.

For more information, see the article about Guilloché.

Additional pictures of this device

More Information

Published Articles

• Art, History, and Processes of Guilloché Engraving by Phil Poirier. Ornamental Turners International Newsletter, Volume 27, Special Edition - April, 2020, pg. 3
• The Birmingham Museum Collection of Patterning Machines by John Edwards. The Society of Ornamental Turners Bulletin 136, Summer, 2017, pg. 16
• A Brief History of a Homespun Straight-line Engine by Tom Bales. Straight line engine construction with modern materials and techniques. Ornamental Turners International Newsletter, Volume 29, Special Edition 2 - December, 2022, pg. 1
• Deep Cutting into Metal on the Straight Line Machine and the Rose Engine by John Moorhouse. The Society of Ornamental Turners Bulletin 144, Spring, 2021, pg. 14
• Diamond Cutting Tool by John Moorhouse. The Society of Ornamental Turners Bulletin 141, Autumn, 2019, pg. 25
• Engine Turned Embossed Leather Book Covers by Nicholas Edwards. The Society of Ornamental Turners Bulletin 142, Spring, 2020, pg. 26
• Engine Turning and the Development of the Lindow Rose Engine Lathe by David Lindow. LW Rose Engine News, Volume 2, No. 2 - Autumn-Winter, 2011, pg. 11
• Guilloché Turning by (unknown). LW Rose Engine News, Volume 4, No. 3, Winter, 2013-4, pg, 12
• High-end Horological Finishing & Designing 'Geo-Flowers' with a Geometric Chuck by Joshua Salesin. The Society of Ornamental Turners Bulletin 144, Spring, 2021, pg. 21
• High-end Horological Finishing & Decoration by Giulio Papi and Caroline Seamier. Book reviewed by John D.H. Mayeron. Ornamental Turners International Newsletter, Volume 20, No. 3 - Fall-Winter, 2013, pg. 32
• Lienhard & Co -- A History by Nicholas Edwards. The Society of Ornamental Turners Bulletin 142, Spring, 2020, pg. 9
• Making Small Dies with Engine Turned Patterns by John Moorhouse. An interesting engine turning technique.
  • The Society of Ornamental Turners Bulletin 142, Spring, 2020, pg. 6
  • Ornamental Turners International Newsletter, Volume 27, No. 2 - October, 2020, pg. 28
• The Parts and Processes of a Rose Engine in the Modern Shop by G. Phil Poirier. Ornamental Turners International Newsletter, Volume 27, Special Edition - July, 2020, pg. 3
• Slide Rest Construction Project: Engine Turning with a Cross Slide by Steve White. Ornamental Turners International Newsletter, Volume 19, No. 1 - Spring, 2012, pg. 7
• The Straight-line Engraving Machine by G. Phil Poirier. Ornamental Turners International Newsletter, Volume 28, Special Edition 1 - February, 2021, pg. 3
• Three Dimensional Engine Turned Patterns for Small Items by John Moorhouse. The Society of Ornamental Turners Bulletin 143, Autumn, 2020, pg. 6

Web Sites

• There is also an online blog about engine turning and guilloché engraving machines, their restoration, and use. This site also includes a nice Engine Turning/Guilloché Guide & Glossary.

• The Santa Fe Symposium is an annual conference for jewelry makers, and often has topics around ornamental turning and especially guilloché. These include a bit of history and are great reads. Some of note include:
  • Art, History and Processes of Guilloché Engraving by G. Phil Poirier, 2015
  • The Parts and Processes of a Rose Engine in the Modern Shop by G. Phil Poirier, 2016
  • The Straightline Engraving Machine by G. Phil Poirier, 2018
  • Guilloché From Watch Dials to Fantastic Creations by Calina Shevlin, 2018
  • The Ornamental Lathe by G. Phil Poirier, 2019

Presentations

• Dale Chase presenting on straight-line engine turning by Dale Chase. 1997 OTI Symposium (Portsmouth, NY)
• Jon Sauer on rotary engine turning using a Plant Rose Engine. by Jon Sauer. 1997 OTI Symposium (Portsmouth, NY)
• Richard Ketchum describes restoration of a straightline and a rose engine and how to design pattern bars for a straightline by Richard Ketchum. 2000 OTI Symposium (Kennebunkport, ME)
• The Secrets of Horological Engine-Turning (Guilloché) (YouTube video). Joshua Shapiro, watchmaker and owner of J.N. Shapiro Watches, gave this presentation at the Horological Society of New York.
• These two videos are from Casey Burns (CBWIM onYouTube). He uses a home-built engine turning attachment that he says can be used on any lathe, wood or metal, provided it has a faceplate. He use this for engraving the metal disks that he inlays into the end caps of wooden flutes.
  • Engine Turning Engraving Attachment for Any Lathe -1 (YouTube video)
  • Engine Turning Engraving Attachment for Any Lathe - 2 (YouTube video)