This was the first time I attempted to etch a brass plate from a (real) photo. I first converted the photo to "pencil drawing" in an Android app on my mobile phone and then cleaned it up in photoshop. 

I think it turned out pretty good and I am quite happy with the end result.

Some more of my creations.

I have now stopped using the "toner transfer" method and am using Negative Dry Film Photoresist instead, gives much better and cleaner results.

This is my latest creation, a brass clock with RE cap badge.

House number plate for a fellow Sapper brother. 

 This one was made for another fellow Sapper brother.

And a wooden plaque, something different than brass or copper etching.

Copper clad board etching.

This is something I have wanted to try for a long time but could never get right.

I have now "mastered" transferring toner from a lazer printer on to copper to produce these military insignias.

The line artwork for the RE Badge was done for me by a friend, Jamie Munro-Naan, thank you Jamie, really appreciate it. 

Some more badges that I made.

31 AES Desktop Wallpaper.

My key ring.

Corps Of Royal Engineers Desktop Wallpaper.

Once A Sapper Always A Veteran. 

"I did my time", a little poem I wrote for the "older" generation of soldiers.

I DID MY TIME.

I did my time, took the shilling,

When I was able and willing.

I did as told, finished the job,

Became a sapper, not a yob.

Many great friends I made, shot a rifle,

Marched around the square, on the double.

I blew up things, drove a tank,

My ambition fulfilled, not blank.

I did all that and much more,

Even in snow and downpour.

My time passed, no longer able,

Sit in the kitchen, at the table.

Drinking tea, eating toast,

For the grandchildren, playing host.

I did my time, took the shilling,

When I was able and willing. 

By Tanky Turk

Royal Engineers Cap Badge mold and casting.

 RE cap badge casting.

RE cap badge two part mold

Casting.

This was supposed to be a copper cold cast but didn't work out as I wanted it. Most of the copper powder sat at the bottom of the mixing cup and not enough went in to the mold, hence dull colour.

Left is the badge after cleaning and right after polishing with brown shoe polish, turned out pretty good.

Succes I think. 

 

Making Hellim (Hallumi) is another one of my hobbies. Took a while to find the "right milk" to make it. Well, it's not actually the right milk but the only one available here in the UK that is suitable for cheese making because it is full milk and is unhomogenised.

The milk I use is Pasturised Unhomonegised Jersey Milk in 0.75L bottles and can be bought from Tesco's or Sainsburys (probably other places too???). I mix this milk 50/50 with Goats milk to give it that Hellim (goat cheese) taste, not as good as making it out of fresh goats milk but as far as I am concerned, it's the next best thing.

 
The Hellim turns out pretty good can be eating fresh, grilled or fried. It can also be boiled as in Tarana soup.

Instruction on how to make it:  Coming shortly.

Army history photo collage.

4 years Army history photo collage.

I lost some of my photos during the move back to the UK so decided to make a collage of the ones I still had. 4 years history on one A4 sheet, still better than nothing I suppose.

More self made Army stuff.

The shields below are all made out of thin (0.01mm) copper foil. I then make silicone rubber molds out of them and then cast bronze cold resin castings.

Embossed copper foil. 

26 Armoured Engineer Squadron embossed copper.

Clock from the one above this one.

31 Armoured Engineer Squadron embossed copper. 

2 Armoured Engineer Squadron embossed copper (not yet finished). 

Molds:

31 Armoured Engineer Squadron

26 Armoured Engineer Squadron

More molds will be added. 

Bronze cold castings. 

Both were burnished with brown shoe polish.