Homemade Mosaic Pins

**crashdive123** · 08-12-2010, 05:10 PM

Well, being frugal (cheap) and finding it enjoyable to make things, I tried my hand at making my own mosaic pins (for pinning knife handles) today. I learned quite a bit from this first attempt, and think the next try will work better.

Here's a brief explanation. I used a brass tube and three copper tubes. I tried a few different types of glue and dye, and ended up using two part epoxy and acrylic paint. I learned quickly not to use the 5 minute epoxy (just not enough work time). I ended up using an epoxy with a 30 minute cure time.

The process I used was to put the pieces all together and then use a syringe to "push" the epoxy into the tubes. I won't know until I cut the pins if the dyed epoxy worked it's way all through the piece (I figure I can touch it up)

My next try at it I will use solid stock (maybe a square tube too) inside the "pin". I plan on filling the tube first (about 3/4 full) and then sliding the inner pins into place. I'll also play around with some different colored dyes.

Here are the pics of the first attempt.

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**canid** · 08-12-2010, 05:15 PM

way to go crash. this is a great projec. those pins are expensive after a while.

**crashdive123** · 08-12-2010, 05:20 PM

The last mosaic pins I bought - actually the only mosaic pins I bought cost roughly $35 for a twelve inch piece. I'm figuring that a twelve inch section of this design would be about $4.50 in materials.

**Erratus Animus** · 08-12-2010, 05:24 PM

Crash good or bad we are on the same wave length today as I made pins for my new knife. I will upload the pics in a bit as I just stopped in to look at the forum while I cool off.

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**panch0** · 08-12-2010, 05:50 PM

Awesome Crash! I need to try that, those things are expensive!

**hunter63** · 08-12-2010, 06:16 PM

I guess I can say I learned something today, I never even heard of them!
Thats really a cool idea.

**klickitat** · 08-12-2010, 06:24 PM

Great stuff. Please show us a picture of the product when cut.

**Erratus Animus** · 08-12-2010, 06:58 PM

Here they are before the graphite and epoxy are filled in.
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**crashdive123** · 08-12-2010, 09:02 PM

EA - any tips you've got on how to make em would be greatly appreciated.

**Camp10** · 08-12-2010, 09:13 PM

I've never made them but all the info I read on making them says to suck the epoxy up into the tube stock rather than pushing it down in. I read to use a clear tube (like for a fish tank pump) and draw it through until the tube is about 1/3 full of epoxy and then plugging the tube until the epoxt sets up. I've never tried it though, so I dont know from experience.

**Erratus Animus** · 08-12-2010, 09:15 PM

I would recommend graphite powder and 2 ton epoxy. The graphite is used to color epoxy for watercraft. Makes a rich black color and not as runny as adding ink for coloring. If you don't have any PM me and I will send you some.I have a big bag and a little goes a long long way.

Go to your local hobby store and look for the different shapes that would make interesting designs. Your local hardware store may have them too.

You can fill the inner tubes with silver solder too contrast the brass.

Clear epoxy and crushed stone looks nice too. again get the stone at hobby lobby or the like.

I have pics of several different designs that are easy to make but look expensive. I will look for them.

If you want a pieces of the star tubing just say so and I will cut ya a piece.

Other than that they look good to me . It just struck me funny we were doing the same thing on the same day lol, The whole great minds thing I suppose

**Erratus Animus** · 08-12-2010, 09:16 PM

Originally Posted by Camp10

I've never made them but all the info I read on making them says to suck the epoxy up into the tube stock rather than pushing it down in. I read to use a clear tube (like for a fish tank pump) and draw it through until the tube is about 1/3 full of epoxy and then plugging the tube until the epoxt sets up. I've never tried it though, so I dont know from experience.

Either way works fine, I do both depending on the pieces I am using

**crashdive123** · 08-12-2010, 09:19 PM

Thanks for the offer. I'll see what I can dig up - need to stop by a couple of places tomorrow for some drill bits and brass round stock. Hobby shop is fairly close by.

**canid** · 08-12-2010, 09:31 PM

i wonder if metal sintering might be a good option for a filler material. powders would be easy enough to handle, and the tubing and rods to be used have pretty good thermal conductivity.

**Erratus Animus** · 08-12-2010, 10:06 PM

here are some easy patterns. the sizes are 7/32 and 1/4
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**crashdive123** · 08-13-2010, 07:11 AM

Those look great. I'll keep working at it.

**BENESSE** · 08-13-2010, 07:34 AM

Such amazing workmanship all around!
EA, those designs would be also great on jewelry. I love the look of the square tube inside the round (1/4 brass & aluminum--pic #4)--it reminds me of the expression a square peg in a round hole to which I sometimes relate.

btw, just curious...how do the pins stay put inside the handle? Is it a matter of an incredibly tight fit or do you have to use glue?