Metalsmith21 Posted October 3, 2013 Share Posted October 3, 2013 I was cirious if anyone has made anything out of pennies, I've flattened a couple pre-1983 just to play with some metal (missing the forge back home so much) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RogueRugger Posted October 3, 2013 Share Posted October 3, 2013 Alex Ivey (SWABA) gave a demo last year on making cowboys hats similar to those in the picture. These are Alex's but obviously aren't all pennies; I couldn't find the pic of the earrings and his other hats but this should give you an idea. Not all pennies are created equal so some care is needed in selection to get a workable copper content. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted October 3, 2013 Share Posted October 3, 2013 1982 and earlier; not pure copper more like a very low brass I made 60 some cowboy hat earrings from them for our churches cowboy dance. I make washers from them too; cheaper than store bought ones! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neg Posted October 3, 2013 Share Posted October 3, 2013 I've made an awful lot of guitar picks out of pennys. Nickels too. I just hammer them to shape with a small crosspeen and file the edge smooth. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobody Special Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 Made the occaisonal gourd banjo and used them as string stops on bridge end. Mushed a few of the copper ones for jewelry/earrings. Knew someone who was flattening them and using them for decorative scale maille. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Metalsmith21 Posted October 4, 2013 Author Share Posted October 4, 2013 Pre 1983 pennies are made up of 95% copper and 5% zinc, and 1983 and beyond are 97.5% zinc with copper plating to make up the 2.5% in copper, does anyone know if nickels will forgeweld with copper pennies? Mokougame made of pennies and nickles would be cool Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Blythin Posted October 4, 2013 Share Posted October 4, 2013 Can someone please describe how the littlw cowboy hats are made? They look very cool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
windancer Posted October 5, 2013 Share Posted October 5, 2013 Check out YouTube- Dave Hammer has a video showing him making a cowboy hat- from mild steel, though, not pennies. I am going to try it this month. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Blythin Posted October 5, 2013 Share Posted October 5, 2013 Will take a look, thanks. For the ones made of pennies, I'm mostly wondering if the copper is worked cold, and just annealed whenever it begins to work harden? Otherwise I'd have no idea how to manipulate something that small... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chinobi Posted October 5, 2013 Share Posted October 5, 2013 Physically yes you can make Mokume with pennies and nickels, but they are very small, so for the amount of work involved you get a fairly small billet to work with. Better to work quarters if you want to do budget projects, or 50 cent pieces as I recently learned. Also, don't try to use the copper plated zinc type for hot work, very unhealthy fumes can result from overheating the zinc =\ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Blythin Posted October 5, 2013 Share Posted October 5, 2013 Oh, by the way, I was just looking up the composition of Canadian pennies. For anyone interested, you should stick to those minted between 1978 to 1996. They are 98% copper, 1.76% tin, and 0.25% zinc. Earlier than 1978 were still 98% copper, but higher zinc levels. 1997-99 were mostly zinc, and from 2000 onwards were steel & nickel with copper plating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
windancer Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 Anyone have the formula for the cowboy hats made from pennies? I have seen them mentioned a few times on Salt Creek Craftsman but no instructions.... Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
copperman1 Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 I have tried to get someone from Saltcreek to describe how it is done but have not been successful.Ed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WayneCoeArtistBlacksmith Posted October 8, 2013 Share Posted October 8, 2013 I got a Cowboy hat at Sofa and saw the die that the maker used. He just placed the penny in the bottom die and struck the top die with a hammer once or twice. To make the hat was really quick but I'm sure that it took quite a bit of time to make the die. He also made ear rings from dimes using the same die. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
windancer Posted October 8, 2013 Share Posted October 8, 2013 I found another member who has made them. He sent me the steps he uses. I will ask him if I can post on the forum. If he says OK I will post his message. If he would rather I didn't I won't :) Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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