Gold Nugget

DurocShark · Oct 20, 2010

Playing with some ideas.

I went to Michael's and used my latest 40% off coupon to buy some gold leaf. Cast it into Silmar 41 in a 3/4" pipe.

Mixing the leaf into the resin caused it to bunch up into little balls which I think actually looks cooler than the flat pieces I was expecting. It takes a while though. Have to lay a few pieces flat on top of the resin, then gently push it under. Gotta do it slowly or you get an air pocket. I used half of a 3 gram package of leaf for 8 ounces of resin. No color added to the resin. I thought I might prefer the depth of clear resin with a painted hole.

I'll make it into something this weekend and we'll see if I'm right!

pianomanpj · Oct 20, 2010

Nice looking blank! Can't wait to see what it looks like on a pen!

Of course, gold dropped about $30 an ounce yesterday, so cost-wise, you're already behind the eightball!

:biggrin:

B727phixer · Oct 21, 2010

That looks pretty cool Don! I will be looking for the completed pen.:biggrin:

el_d · Oct 21, 2010

Sweet, Looks like there is a project for a Goldschläger pen!!!!

Goldschläger and I no longer get along but It would make a nice pen.

DurocShark · Oct 23, 2010

Here's the first pen. I used an El Grande because of how thin the material is around the tubes. This is a worst case pen for this kind of blank. Much of the gold is removed, but was enough left behind?

I think I would prefer more density of the gold in the final pen. Not a lot more, but some. 50% more gold in the resin should do it. What do you think?

http://donimages.com/wood/images/elgrandeblkgldngt01.jpg
http://donimages.com/wood/images/elgrandeblkgldngt02.jpg
http://donimages.com/wood/images/elgrandeblkgldngt04.jpg

Jim15 · Oct 23, 2010

I think it looks great, just enough gold (at least to my eye).

Padre · Oct 23, 2010

That looks really nice!

DurocShark · Oct 24, 2010

Here it is with a white backer on a "tall" slim:

http://donimages.com/wood/images/slimwhtgld02.jpg
http://donimages.com/wood/images/slimwhtgld03.jpg

Kinda tough to photograph...

I need to work on my dark background technique.

pianomanpj · Oct 24, 2010

That slim looks great! Are you painting the tubes, inside of the blank, or both? Tinted glue, maybe? Not familiar with the centerband. Is that one of your own? Again, fantastic work!

DurocShark · Oct 24, 2010

Inside of the blank is what gets painted. Provides for a 3d effect not only with this gold, but with swirled mica too.

The cb is just layers of brass and aluminum. I turned down the last layer of brass to match the bottom half of the pen. A new idea I'm playing with. I like it so far.

ctubbs · Oct 24, 2010

Speachless! For me that is quiet an accomplishment!
Charles

DurocShark · Oct 31, 2010

Increased the amount of gold by 50% (guesstimate).

I like this better.

Padre · Oct 31, 2010

That definitely has some "zing" to it! Nice pen!!

Fred · Oct 31, 2010

Way to go Don. Being that I am an ex-gold miner of sorts, I do believe that you have hit the "Mother Lode" with the extra gold being added. Great job!

Stevej72 · Oct 31, 2010

What a great idea. Your pens look great.

bobleibo · Oct 31, 2010

DurocShark said:
Increased the amount of gold by 50% (guesstimate).

I like this better.

Don
This is without a doubt one of the best looking pens I have ever seen here and I am not big fan of the overly "blingy" kind! Just the right amount of gold vs. color and a perfect match to the kit. Very classy looking. Would I be correct to assume that the color that you paint the inside of the blank has a lot to do with the final color outcome? The black/gold combo is awesome. When you start selling the blanks, put me on the list.
Cheers
Bob

DurocShark · Oct 31, 2010

Yeah, the resin is clear. I don't add color to it so the gold is visible the entire depth (shallow as it is in a Cambridge or El Grande). I've done red and white as well.

I also have some silver nugget resin waiting for me to do something with it.

ldb2000 · Oct 31, 2010

That Cambridge is is an awesome looking pen Don . The extra gold really makes it a stand out blank and is flashy enough to compete with the kit .

B727phixer · Oct 31, 2010

Wow that does look sharp!:biggrin: I prefer the gold with the black backgroud but thats just me!

Jim15 · Nov 1, 2010

I liked the first one, I like this one more. Great looking pen.

Christian · Nov 1, 2010

Don

The first one with the black field and less gold is, to me, one of the most beautiful pens I have ever seen. It just seems to scream CLASS!!!. You have done an exceptional job on all of these but that black one is just THE ONE!.

Thank you for showing and explaining your route.

Christian

Gold Nugget

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