Unusual job on the bench today
Discussion
speed_monkey said:
ecain63 said:
speed_monkey said:
Eddie.... do you need a new apprentice?!?
My CV is in the post
Actually, once my cancer has fMy CV is in the post
ked off i will be looking to train up a youth. Interested?Blackpuddin said:
Great thread. Slightly O/T but how much gold is used in a Rolex (say)? I've always wondered at the premium for gold over steel.
Without sounding like a dick.......it depends on the model and its weight. But if you base RRP of circa £50 to £60 a gram for 18ct gold and £90 or so a gram for platinum you wont be too far out. Add to that the labour rates etc and that's why Rolex can charge so much for their watches.(those prices are not gospel from suppliers. Only what's recommended when selling stock to the public. includes vat etc. Most outlets sell 9ct at £30 to £40 a gram depending on quality of the goods)
speed_monkey said:
ecain63 said:
speed_monkey said:
ecain63 said:
speed_monkey said:
Eddie.... do you need a new apprentice?!?
My CV is in the post
Actually, once my cancer has fMy CV is in the post
ked off i will be looking to train up a youth. Interested?Yes 100% genuinely up for it mate.
To me or the missus? lol
Well B'mth is a great place to be when the sun is shining and we have a good business here. Once i'm all sorted health wise I'll be sure to give you a shout. Its not easy finding willing volunteers for this trade. Too many youngsters get put off by having burnt and polished fingers or don't like the requirement for attention to detail. If you've got potential in this field all you need is the time and patience to learn.
Well B'mth is a great place to be when the sun is shining and we have a good business here. Once i'm all sorted health wise I'll be sure to give you a shout. Its not easy finding willing volunteers for this trade. Too many youngsters get put off by having burnt and polished fingers or don't like the requirement for attention to detail. If you've got potential in this field all you need is the time and patience to learn.
Suppose this is the first PH job to be published then! He'll be along shortly to reveal his identity.
So, this is what i tasked to make:
Criteria: 1 inch tall with a border round the edge. 18ct yellow gold to show the yellow of the shield. Fittings on the rear for leather necklace. Room for engraving on the back. The black parts to be 'balck rhodium' plated.
Well,we have 18ct yellow gold: Nice bar of 6x6mm
Cut approx 10g off it:
Roll down the 10g of gold to a square just larger than you need. Plate is now 1.25mm thick. Measure a 1" x 0.75" box on paper and sketch the sheild:
Cut it out and glue it onto the plate:
Cut around the shield shape and remove paper:
Mark out the line between the black and yellow sections:
Take the off-cuts and melt to a ball:
Roll it down in a mill to make a nice little bar:
Turn the bar into 1mm x 2mm wire:
Make a frame the same size as outside of the shield:
Check it fits, umpteen times:
And solder the open end shut whilst on the shield:
Still fits:
Separate and admire:
Lost some pics here, but basically i took the left over bar and drew it down to make fine wire (nothing wasted here). This wire is then rolled make the 3 rings:
Rings placed on top of polished shield:
And then soldered in place. The rings are raised for a reason:
More admiration:
Re-check it fits. Heat can make the gold change shape. Then solder the border in place from the back:
The rings are then filed down to the same level as the border leaving a nice flat finish. Told you they were raised for a reason. The bottom section is polished again, the top section gets a fine brushed finish and the rings and border a heavy brushed finish for contrast:
As per the customers spec the shield can now be gently hammered into a rounded, more shield like shape:
From the front:
The back gets a brushing and a hallmark tag soldered on:
Tomorrow we will fit the necklace fittings and apply the black rhodium.
So, this is what i tasked to make:
Criteria: 1 inch tall with a border round the edge. 18ct yellow gold to show the yellow of the shield. Fittings on the rear for leather necklace. Room for engraving on the back. The black parts to be 'balck rhodium' plated.
Well,we have 18ct yellow gold: Nice bar of 6x6mm
Cut approx 10g off it:
Roll down the 10g of gold to a square just larger than you need. Plate is now 1.25mm thick. Measure a 1" x 0.75" box on paper and sketch the sheild:
Cut it out and glue it onto the plate:
Cut around the shield shape and remove paper:
Mark out the line between the black and yellow sections:
Take the off-cuts and melt to a ball:
Roll it down in a mill to make a nice little bar:
Turn the bar into 1mm x 2mm wire:
Make a frame the same size as outside of the shield:
Check it fits, umpteen times:
And solder the open end shut whilst on the shield:
Still fits:
Separate and admire:
Lost some pics here, but basically i took the left over bar and drew it down to make fine wire (nothing wasted here). This wire is then rolled make the 3 rings:
Rings placed on top of polished shield:
And then soldered in place. The rings are raised for a reason:
More admiration:
Re-check it fits. Heat can make the gold change shape. Then solder the border in place from the back:
The rings are then filed down to the same level as the border leaving a nice flat finish. Told you they were raised for a reason. The bottom section is polished again, the top section gets a fine brushed finish and the rings and border a heavy brushed finish for contrast:
As per the customers spec the shield can now be gently hammered into a rounded, more shield like shape:
From the front:
The back gets a brushing and a hallmark tag soldered on:
Tomorrow we will fit the necklace fittings and apply the black rhodium.
Edited by ecain63 on Wednesday 19th February 18:37
Edited by ecain63 on Wednesday 19th February 18:39
speed_monkey said:
Cant be brain cancer then
ETA, I don't actually know what variety you do have so if it is brain cancer (although I doubt it being a cabbage head) apologies...... (Kinda)
You know what I mean!
It's colorectal cancer. Or bowel cancer as its more commonly known. 'The one to have right now' apparently as its getting loads of funding.ETA, I don't actually know what variety you do have so if it is brain cancer (although I doubt it being a cabbage head) apologies...... (Kinda)
You know what I mean!
Edited by speed_monkey on Wednesday 19th February 19:23
rhinochopig said:
I hadn't realised you're an ex booty. That makes your transition all the more impressive given the amazing ability of RM to break everything they touch.
I assume you're an armourer or vehicle mechanic or something then? Yeah, I've written off some expensive kit in my time! Ok sports fans. Here is the second half of the Hogan family crest I am making.
Yesterday we finished the shield part of the job. Today all that is left to do is make the chain / strap fitting for the back and then plate the black colours in place.
First thing is the rear fittings. Start by rolling some more 18ct yellow gold down to form a plate:
Turn the plate to make a tube and then file it to the required profile:
Work out where you want it:
And then solder on:
You can see that i filed the bottom of the fitting flat so you get a nice surface to solder to the shield plate:
Give the whole thing a tidy up and clean:
And we are ready for plating:
This is black rhodium. The same as regular rhodium, but black. It's also quite nasty stuff with cyanide and other cracking chemicals within:
And this is not for doing my nails! We use nail polish watered down with MEK to mask areas that we don't want to plate:
Like so!
A couple of coats using the plating pen (electrolysis) and the black rhodium solution has taken to the areas we wanted to cover. Its a very dark, almost gunmetal / hematite finish.
We then clean the item in neat MEK, give it a few minutes in a hot ultrasonic filled with washing up liquid and water solution and hey presto:
And Bobs your mothers brother:
Eddie
Yesterday we finished the shield part of the job. Today all that is left to do is make the chain / strap fitting for the back and then plate the black colours in place.
First thing is the rear fittings. Start by rolling some more 18ct yellow gold down to form a plate:
Turn the plate to make a tube and then file it to the required profile:
Work out where you want it:
And then solder on:
You can see that i filed the bottom of the fitting flat so you get a nice surface to solder to the shield plate:
Give the whole thing a tidy up and clean:
And we are ready for plating:
This is black rhodium. The same as regular rhodium, but black. It's also quite nasty stuff with cyanide and other cracking chemicals within:
And this is not for doing my nails! We use nail polish watered down with MEK to mask areas that we don't want to plate:
Like so!
A couple of coats using the plating pen (electrolysis) and the black rhodium solution has taken to the areas we wanted to cover. Its a very dark, almost gunmetal / hematite finish.
We then clean the item in neat MEK, give it a few minutes in a hot ultrasonic filled with washing up liquid and water solution and hey presto:
And Bobs your mothers brother:
Eddie
Edited by ecain63 on Thursday 20th February 17:26
speed_monkey said:
I love working with my hands, I've built quite a few things, 500 gallon aquarium stand, hutches equivalent to the playboy mansion etc.
It's that moment you step back, when done, and think "hell yeah! I BUILT that!"
Love it.
First thing i ever made by hand. A miniature whale with calf. Awwwwwwwwww!It's that moment you step back, when done, and think "hell yeah! I BUILT that!"
Love it.
100% honest answer: its all naked eye stuff. You get used to focusing at very short distance, but it does take time. Same as when I was in the marines i learnt to focuss in fine detail on the really far distance. You can train your eyes quite easily. As I get older no doubt my eyesight will deteriorate and glasses / magnified headsets will come into play.
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