inlay question

[aaronc]

What guage silver wire do you guys use for the inlay on these gun stocks ?  Or does it matter ?

Thanks, Aaron

[Acer Saccharum]

It's flat ribbon, actually. Taylor did a tutorial on it, I believe.

I have never done it, so I can tell you what size. But there are some tricks to getting it in the stock, and then keeping it there!

[smart dog]

Hi Aaron,
I use 32 (0.008") and 28 guage (0.013") fine silver ribbon (wire).  Avoid sterling silver because it is harder and tarnishes more quickly (because of the copper content). In my opinion, some of the wire used on contemporary guns is too thick.  On the gun in the attached photo I used 28 guage brass wire for the thicker borders and 32 guage for the scroll designs.  Those guages are sufficient to make a visual statement.

dave

[Acer Saccharum]

That is not an American longrifle!  Great wire work, Dave.

I recall that Taylor tapers the ends of the wire for s subtle joining of two wires, or for terminating a wire. He also scores the flat sides of the wires for better 'hold' in the wood, and bevels the inserting edge for easier installation.

It's probably one of those things "easy when you know how"... 

[aaronc]

Thanks for the responses so far. Long rifle or not,.............that is some fine work Dave   . Thanks for posting.

[Rolf]

When I did the wire inlay on this pistol I used 0.8mm (0.03") pure silver wire that I flatend in a rolling mill to 0.25mm(0.01") thick.


I tried scoring the wire by pulling it across a file. This wasn't good enough for strongly curved surfaces. The wire would not stat in the grove.


An ALR member(sorry, forgot his name) told me to "chop" the bottom of the wire strip with a knife. This worked like magic!! The wire stuck in the grove like it was glued.




Best regards
Rolf

[Eric Smith]

Thanks for the tip, Rolf. I wasn't sure what a rolling mill looked like , so I googled it. WOW! Those thngs are pricey for such a simple thing.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

I took a short length of 3/32" thick pure silver to a local jeweler, who happily showed me how to use his rolling mill to create ribbon that became .020", .010" and .005" thick. I was amazed at the strength that was needed to turn the crank to squeeze the metal down a little at a time.  And there is no metal loss.  When the thick metal is flattened,it simply becomes a little wider, and a LOT longer.  So, go and befriend your local custom jeweler.

[aaronc]

Rolf,
               thanks for the response. Thats great info,......especially about the use of the knife to get it to stay in...............and just so happens I do know our hometown jeweler very well. I'll ask him if I can use his roller mill or have him do it for me.

[Rolf]

Aaronic,

If you flaten a pure silver wire that has a diameter 0.8mm to 0.25mm, you will get a strip that is 1,3mm wide which was the size I was recommended to use. Remember to anneal after flatening. Pull the strip over a dowel to get ridd of kinks before "choping".

Best regards
Rolf

[aaronc]

10-4 Rolf,...........taking notes.

[chris laubach]

An ALR member(sorry, forgot his name) told me to "chop" the bottom of the wire strip with a knife. This worked like magic!! The wire stuck in the grove like it was glued.

Best regards
Rolf

Glade you found this helpful.


Chris Laubach

[HardBall]

An ALR member(sorry, forgot his name) told me to "chop" the bottom of the wire strip with a knife. This worked like magic!! The wire stuck in the grove like it was glued.

Best regards
Rolf

Glade you found this helpful.


Chris Laubach

That's a great tip!  Stowed away for future reference...