Monthly Archives: December 2011

“Knapped” Bronze Dagger

Posted on December 31, 2011 by metal_musings

Wanting to play around with forging some bronze, I researched how to make it on the Web.  I decided (mistakenly, as it turns out) to make a high-tin alloy called “bell metal.”  This is 20% tin and 80% copper, and … Continue reading →

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Telegraph Key USB Drive #7

Posted on December 26, 2011 by metal_musings

Disassembled and ready to engrave the top copper plate. Here are the lines engraved in the top copper plate. The background removed, and a quick inking to see how it will look. Added the fine shading lines, then inked; ready … Continue reading →

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Telegraph Key USB Drive #6

Posted on December 26, 2011 by metal_musings

I turned a keypad from mild steel on the lathe, and soldered it in place with paste solder. Used Birchwood Casey Super Blue (cold gun blue) to darken the brass and steel of the telegraph key.  I also soldered the … Continue reading →

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Telegraph Key USB Drive #5

Posted on December 26, 2011 by metal_musings

Here are all the parts, shaped and smoothed. And everything assembled and adjusted from the front side. And from the back. I needed a spring for the telegraph key – turns out a ballpoint pen spring was perfect.  

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Telegraph Key USB Drive #4

Posted on December 26, 2011 by metal_musings

Tapped the bottom plate with 4-40 threads for four socket cap screws and two phillips heads. Above is everything fastened together to test the fit. Starting to refine the forms of the brass parts, above is a side view of … Continue reading →

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Telegraph Key USB Drive #3

Posted on December 26, 2011 by metal_musings

Above, I marked the spots I’ll be drilling using a Sharpie and a set of dividers.  If you look closely you can see the little cross marks in the red areas. Here, I’ve used my NSK micromotor grinder and a … Continue reading →

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Telegraph Key USB Drive #2

Posted on December 26, 2011 by metal_musings

Glued up the pieces temporarily with small drops of superglue, and sanded everything nice, square and flush using my disk sander. Above, using a file to clean up the end parts so the cross piece will sit level. I used … Continue reading →

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Telegraph Key USB Drive #1

Posted on December 26, 2011 by metal_musings

Since I finished up the “Puget Sound Dagger” I finally found time to start on my daughter’s Christmas present.  Since Christmas is over, I can show it to you! It’s going to be a “steampunk” (Victorian-styled with lots of brass stuff) … Continue reading →

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“Puget Sound Dagger” Finished!

Posted on December 17, 2011 by metal_musings

The  BladeGallery folks really take excellent photos.  Here are the final pictures, courtesy of  BladeGallery.com:    

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Making the “Puget Sound Dagger” Day 9

Posted on December 17, 2011 by metal_musings

More background removal.  And I thought the front side background removal was tedious.  Look at all of those tiny little nooks and crannies!  Here the background is removed. And everything inked.  At long last, this side is finished! And, finally, … Continue reading →

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