Randy Posted October 13, 2012 Share Posted October 13, 2012 Here's my latest forged bronze belt buckle design. I make all of the tooling and dies and squish the hot bronze in my hydraulic forging press. I'm selling them at knife shows, and stores. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whirly Posted October 13, 2012 Share Posted October 13, 2012 Nice Randy. That certainly gets the message across. How do you make up your dies? Are you carving designs in or making up punches? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy Posted October 13, 2012 Author Share Posted October 13, 2012 I'm making punches of different shapes and pushing them into the die plate. So this one took a left hand and right hand knife, due to the curve and an anvil. The plate is larger than the buckles so where the hot bronze gets placed changes the buckle some. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattS Posted October 13, 2012 Share Posted October 13, 2012 Very cool, what did you use to finish it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Yates Posted October 13, 2012 Share Posted October 13, 2012 I like it well done . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy Posted October 14, 2012 Author Share Posted October 14, 2012 MattS, After silver soldering I have to let it soak in vinegar to remove the flux and discoloration, it is then wire wheeled, browned and then the highlights are polished. I then coat with clear laquer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 Really nice Randy but I'm sure glad you told us what the affiliation is or it'd taken me a millisecond or two to figure it out. <grin> Have you finished with liver of sulfur? You can develop finishes on copper alloys from dark straw to black depending on temperature and time exposure and it's a durable patina. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Turley Posted October 15, 2012 Share Posted October 15, 2012 What alloy bronze? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy Posted October 15, 2012 Author Share Posted October 15, 2012 This is architectural bronze, alloy 385. I have to hand hammer it first to get it closer to shape as what I have isn't close to the size I need and then I heat it again for the press. It works real well in both situations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MagGeorge Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 Having an aura of greatness! Brilliant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.