Author Topic: Home cast bearing silver button  (Read 1263 times)

Offline msellers

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Home cast bearing silver button
« on: March 10, 2019, 10:19:56 PM »
All,

I didn't want to spend the money to buy casting pewter and wait for it, so I decided to experiment a little.  I had a large roll of silver bearing solder from some of my other hobbies. So I melted some down in my old spoon and poured a few buttons using Tim Crosby's tutorial on pewter buttons. I must admit that I am very pleased with the end result. I aged the silver using a lot of elbow grease and cold blue. I tried several other methods I found described online to no avail. Also, don't think you have yo have a lathe; as I have a cordless drill and a large spring clamp for all the turned things I create and try. It takes some patience, ingenuity, and a whole lot of try sometimes. But I digress, here are some photos for you all to see it can be done.

Mike









Offline Marcruger

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Re: Home cast bearing silver button
« Reply #1 on: March 10, 2019, 11:17:25 PM »
Mike, that button may have taken a long time, but it looks to be worth the effort. 

Very subtle finish on that one, and I really like it.  Yes, I too try cold blue on just about any metal to see what it will do.  It worked great on that button. 

I'd be proud to use one of those on a bag I made. 

One other feature that is important to me.  I see that you allowed a large loop opening in the back for thread to pass through.  I use heavy linen thread to sew on buttons for security, and many vintage looking buttons are useless to me as I cannot get my needle and thread through the loop.  Well done in that one. 

God Bless,  Marc

Offline Tim Crosby

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Re: Home cast bearing silver button
« Reply #2 on: March 11, 2019, 12:10:15 AM »
 Nice job Mike, try some wheel weights actually any lead/white metal mix. They will color up well too. Nice thing about them they are free.

  Tim

 

Offline Craig Wilcox

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Re: Home cast bearing silver button
« Reply #3 on: March 14, 2019, 06:44:58 PM »
Really nice buttons, and seem fairly easy to do.
Did you make the "mold" of wood, with brad point drill bits?  Tin, pewter, or solder, those are darn nice buttons!
Craig Wilcox
We are all elated when Dame Fortune smiles at us, but remember that she is always closely followed by her daughter, Miss Fortune.

Offline msellers

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Re: Home cast bearing silver button
« Reply #4 on: March 15, 2019, 12:33:33 AM »
Really nice buttons, and seem fairly easy to do.
Did you make the "mold" of wood, with brad point drill bits?  Tin, pewter, or solder, those are darn nice buttons!
Craig,
I used the cheap forstner bits you can buy from Home Depot. The brad point turned out just to domedfor my liking.
Mike

Offline Tim Crosby

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Re: Home cast bearing silver button
« Reply #5 on: March 15, 2019, 12:42:18 AM »
Really nice buttons, and seem fairly easy to do.
Did you make the "mold" of wood, with brad point drill bits?  Tin, pewter, or solder, those are darn nice buttons!

  Here's the basics:

   http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=49583.0

   Tim C.