silver

[dfurlano]

anyone ever use a silver liquid or glue or whatever as an inlay? Not silver plate, wire, or anything solid. I need to fill an intricate shape.

 

[mrcook4570]

I've used pewter, but haven't tried silver. The melting point of pewter is low enough to avoid damaging the wood.

 

[dfurlano]

Really! Did you buy it as a powder? Did you mealt it then pour on the blank? How close is pewter in color to silver?

 

[Yarael]

If I recall correctly Pewter is a mix of Silver and Lead. Enough silver that the lead is no problem. Been to long to know the ratio. If you buff the pewter it is nice and shiny like silver.

 

[dfurlano]

I tried to mix silver leaf with epoxy and this is what I got. Not to bad but you can see it has a flake look. I also need to make the design larger to get more detail. (click to make larger)

 

[mrcook4570]

I melted the pewter. It does not really flow. Instead, it beads up, so I mash it into the carving with a putty knife. Smother it with thin CA to lock it in place, then turn away the mess, sand, and finish.

Another approach would be to turn and finish the barrel. Then carve or laser engrave your design. Then fill with acrylic paint or rub n buff and wipe off before it dries.

 

[Pikebite]

I have used aluminium powder mixed with epoxy as a silver filler. The wood need to be sealed before you put the aluminium in or the aluminium gets into the grain when you sand.

 

[KenV]

Pewter is metalic tin. No lead in it at all. The surface tension is probably a bit much for filling laser engraving, but works nice in larger grooves - makes nice nose pieces on ML rifle stocks.

Brownells sells fine aluminum powder that may give you the effect, but may look like a grey metalic rather than silver.

 

[rtparso]

Pewter is a metal alloy, traditionally between 85 and 99 percent tin, with the remainder consisting of 1-4 percent copper, acting as a hardener, with the addition of lead for the lower grades of pewter and a bluish tint. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pewter

 

[Rifleman1776]

Most pewter sold today contains no lead. A lot is cast for historical reproduction of eating utensils. Do your I-searches, a number of suppliers will be found. It is readily cast and flows well. Silver does not flow well and usually requires a centrifuge to fill a mold.

 

[dfurlano]

second try larger heart.

 

[mrcook4570]

Looks great! Is it carved or lasered?

 

[dfurlano]

Machined on a CNC.

 

[ctEaglesc]

Originally posted by dfurlano
<br />second try larger heart.

I realize in the picture it"wraps" the barrel, but if you didn't tell me it was a heart I would have guessed the Dodge Ram logo.

 

[dfurlano]

My wife calls it that also. I never really noticed until she mentioned it but you are correct it does resemble a ram.

I bought some pewter and a melting pot so I am going to give casting a shot. I may make a blank out of plaster and cut the shape and cast into the plaster part. Have to wait and see how I want to proceed.

 

[gerryr]

Another option is get some Testor's silver or chrome enamel paint from a hobby shop and let it sit upright for a couple of days to allow the pigment and thinner to separate, then pour off as much thinner as possible. Get some 2 part epoxy that rod builders use for coating the guide wraps. This stuff isn't an epoxy adhesive, but a casting epoxy. Mix up the recommended minimum, 3cc of each part, and then add some of the pigment to it, doesn't take a lot. You can then force the colored epoxy into the design, allow it dry, sand off any excess and coat with CA.

 

[JimGo]

Gerry, does that come off looking like solid silver, or more like Dan's "flake" silver? No offense intended Dan!

 

[gerryr]

From what I've done with it, it looks like silver. I think the chrome pigment is actually a bit brighter than the silver.

 

[bonefish]

I have read of people making silver inlays with the material dentists use for filling teeth.

Bonefish