Author Topic: What gauge silver sheet for inlays?  (Read 705 times)

Online rich pierce

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 19520
What gauge silver sheet for inlays?
« on: February 29, 2024, 07:34:45 PM »
What thickness or gauge silver sheet do you use for small oval wrist inlays and cheekpiece star inlays? Sterling preferred or most widely available?
Andover, Vermont

Offline Bob Roller

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 9687
Re: What gauge silver sheet for inlays?
« Reply #1 on: February 29, 2024, 08:02:11 PM »
What thickness or gauge silver sheet do you use for small oval wrist inlays and cheekpiece star inlays? Sterling preferred or most widely available?

Probably whatever the thickness a dime is whatever that is.

Bob Roller

Offline tallbear

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 4053
  • Mitch Yates
Re: What gauge silver sheet for inlays?
« Reply #2 on: February 29, 2024, 08:30:07 PM »
Rich

I like 18 gauge.While originals tend to be thinner 18 allows for some smoothing after inlaying and won't distort if you're a little heavy handed during engraving like I am :)

Mitch

Offline smart dog

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 7007
Re: What gauge silver sheet for inlays?
« Reply #3 on: February 29, 2024, 08:43:43 PM »
Hi,
I use 16-18 gauge (about 0.06-0.04" thick).  I also prefer fine silver rather than sterling unless silver with higher copper content is needed for historical objectives.  Fine silver tarnishes much more slowly than sterling.

dave
"The main accomplishment of modern economics is to make astrology look good."

Offline Gaeckle

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1360
Re: What gauge silver sheet for inlays?
« Reply #4 on: February 29, 2024, 09:44:05 PM »
I use .040 thickness, 18 gauge I believe

Online rich pierce

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 19520
Re: What gauge silver sheet for inlays?
« Reply #5 on: February 29, 2024, 11:53:48 PM »
You guys aren’t as cheap as I am!  ;D

I might go with thinner for the side plate overlays.
Andover, Vermont

Offline Mike Brooks

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 13415
    • Mike Brooks Gunmaker
Re: What gauge silver sheet for inlays?
« Reply #6 on: March 01, 2024, 02:03:47 AM »
I think I use .030 for large inlays. For thumbpieces I usually beat out an old quarter.
NEW WEBSITE! www.mikebrooksflintlocks.com
Say, any of you boys smithies? Or, if not smithies per se, were you otherwise trained in the metallurgic arts before straitened circumstances forced you into a life of aimless wanderin'?