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How to Jewel a Lock Plate

Jeweling firearm metal parts has long been a way to decorate and customize a gun. The finished process is also referred to as "fish scaling" since the overlapping pattern looks like a fish scale pattern. The lock plate is a common area for jeweling since it lays flat and is easily done. If you're doing a single piece or two there is no need to buy a jeweling kit, since a simple pencil gives you most of what you need. Practice your technique first on scrap metal.

Things You'll Need

Tape
Drill press
Box of pencils
Saw
Lapping compound

Instructions

- 1
  Cut a pencil in half and discard the part without the eraser.
- 2
  Insert the pencil into a drill press, eraser side facing down, and tighten the chuck.
- 3
  Spread valve lapping compound over the erasure.
- 4
  Secure the lock plate on the flat side of the wood with tape along its edges.
- 5
  Place the top right corner of the lock plate under the drill press and turn the press on.
- 6
  Lower the pencil until the erasure just touches the metal and grinds a circular indention into it. The longer you grind the deeper the indention will be.
- 7
  Raise the press, move the lock plate over to the left and grind a circle just touching the first. Complete the top row of circles by working your way across.
- 8
  Move the lock plate downward and start another row of circles. The first circle in the second row is positioned between the first two on the top row, and overlaps them by 1/2 the diameter of the circle. As you make the second row of circles the fish scale pattern will quickly become apparent.
- 9
  Continue to add overlapping rows until you are finished.

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