Mosaic Pin WIP

[crashdive123]

Thought I'd do a quick "how to" on making mosaic pins.

Here's a pic with the "list of materials". Brass tube with an outside diameter of 1/4", aluminum rod, bronze rod (both picked up at welding supply place - much cheaper than hobby shops), two part epoxy - I actually used a slower curing epoxy than what is pictured (next try will be with fiberglass resin), tube cutter, linemans pliers (any pliers with a cutter will work), acrylic paint, super glue (ended up not using in this project), cheap syringe, ruler.

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii67/crashdive123/Knife%20Making/MosaicPins001.jpg

Cut all of the pieces. Tubes were cut at 3" and rods were cut at 3 1/4" (easier to handle), board with 1/4" diameter holes drilled part way through board.

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii67/crashdive123/Knife%20Making/MosaicPins002.jpg

Set the tubes in the holes in the board. I use short sections of tubing - just easier (for me) to work with and get the epoxy to fill.

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii67/crashdive123/Knife%20Making/MosaicPins003-1.jpg

Dry fit all the pieces. These were pretty snug. If there is any slop, or play use the super glue to hold them secure, ensuring the pattern is the same on both ends.

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii67/crashdive123/Knife%20Making/MosaicPins004-1.jpg

Mix the epoxy and add your coloring. I happen to be using acrylic paint, but grafite works well (for black) as well as a few drops of leather dye. I add about 20% more hardener than resin to make up of the coloring.

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii67/crashdive123/Knife%20Making/MosaicPins005-1.jpg

Remove the pins. Using the syringe, fill the tubes 1/4 - 1/2 full. When the internal pins fit tightly it does not take too much - some will be forced out the top.

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii67/crashdive123/Knife%20Making/MosaicPins006-1.jpg

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii67/crashdive123/Knife%20Making/MosaicPins007-1.jpg

It's setting up overnight. We'll see what it looks like tomorrow.

[crashdive123]

The ends are cleaned up a bit after the epoxy dried. You can see on one of the pins with the five bronze rods that it is a little off. I think I'll resort to super gluing the rods, even if they are a snug fit.

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii67/crashdive123/Knife%20Making/MosaicPins2002.jpg

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii67/crashdive123/Knife%20Making/MosaicPins2005.jpg

Next step is to put some scales on a knife. The pins will go in tomorrow. The scratches on the end should buff out pretty easily.

[hunter63]

Cool, intresting, I would guess the patterns would be anything you could fit in the tubes?

[Rick]

Had to toss a little rep your way for the tute. Nice job.

[crashdive123]

And here is the finished product.

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii67/crashdive123/Knife%20Making/DenimandMosaic002.jpg

[NCO]

That does look great!