primtechsmith Posted December 15, 2008 Share Posted December 15, 2008 I just finished up my Christmas projects for this year. I decided to make big clothes pin paper weights. I was walking around Ben Franklin (craft supply store) with the family. I picked one up made out of wood and asked Mike if he thought I could forge that out....So I ended up buying a dozen over two trips and found some steel close to the size of the wooden parts. Mike was a big help as always... It is forged. All the holes were drilled. And the pin is plug welded to the base. All of it was tumbled and wire brushed then assembled. The springs are from the originals I bought in the store. I had to drill holes for the springs for it all to work. The slots in the top and bottom were not working AT ALL! I painted the springs flat black, and the rest of it was sprayed with clear. I also put felt on the bottom to keep it from scratching up the tables. This was a lot of fun and I learned a lot. The next batch will be a lot better, but these turned out okay for my first try. Peyton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironrosefarms Posted December 15, 2008 Share Posted December 15, 2008 Primetech that is cool. Now if you pair those up with a nice big flat washer you can give folks their very own heavy duty washer and drier! James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ted T Posted December 15, 2008 Share Posted December 15, 2008 Ohhhhh Ya! Now your cooking. No doubt that your forging skills are something to be proud of. My chest would stick out so far that I would bust the buttons off of my shirt if I had forged them! Just keep it up. Ted Throckmorton! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
primtechsmith Posted December 15, 2008 Author Share Posted December 15, 2008 James, Nice Idea!!! I may go buy a few BIG washers and throw them in the forge and beat them up a little to make them match. Thanks for the idea. Ted I appreciate the positive mojo. I always feel a little weird posting photos of my stuff on here. There is a lot of really nice work and I just do not see myself on any level close to it... Peyton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finnr Posted December 15, 2008 Share Posted December 15, 2008 Peyton, nice work. Don't feel like you aren't doing good stuff!! Finnr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larrynjr Posted December 15, 2008 Share Posted December 15, 2008 Have no doubt Peyton, these and all I've seen from you are equal to anything I have seen on this site. These are very cool and you did a great job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Dean Posted December 15, 2008 Share Posted December 15, 2008 Cool! 2 questions....How hard is it to open? How heavy are they? And the washer idea is really cool. Also, you have nothing to be ashamed of as far as your talent goes. I think you do nice work! We are our own hardest critics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welder19 Posted December 15, 2008 Share Posted December 15, 2008 Those are really cool, and don't try and get rid of all imperfections, they are what help distinguish hand crafted from store bought. welder19 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
primtechsmith Posted December 15, 2008 Author Share Posted December 15, 2008 It is actually pretty easy to open. There is good resistance to keep it closed to hold a lettter or something. The base is 3" x 7". It weighs maybe 5 pounds. I forget what the parent stock of the pin started out as....maybe 1 1/4" x 5/8"....I am not sure. Mike took me to the shop and helped me find what was close to the wooden one I had. thanks guys... Peyton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TASMITH Posted December 15, 2008 Share Posted December 15, 2008 You have done a right fine job on those.As Thomas said we are our own hardest critics. They are very well done and unique! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neal L Posted December 15, 2008 Share Posted December 15, 2008 Make sure those big flat washers are not zinc coated if you are going to heat them. Great work. Very unusual and cool gift idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted December 15, 2008 Share Posted December 15, 2008 Very cool Peyton. Washers are a great idea too. I'm always hesitant to show my work in the company of other smiths though I don't hear bad things said. Still, I know how much better the other guys are compared to my meager attempts. I'm trying to beat that sentiment out of myself though, I do what I do as well as I can, or as the situation dictates and I'm always after the new guys to show their work. It'd be a bit hypocritical if I didn't show mine as well. Eh? Besides, I'm starting to get used to being in shear awe of what you guys can do. Anyway, great paper weight/clips Peyton. Very imaginative and well executed, perhaps damascus to represent the wood grain for those "special" recipients would be a nice touch. Frosty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finnr Posted December 16, 2008 Share Posted December 16, 2008 I'm special!!! They said all of us on the short bus were!!!!! Finnr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Posted December 16, 2008 Share Posted December 16, 2008 Where I come from we called it the "Sunshine Bus". So whats your favourite flavour window Finn? ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archiphile Posted December 16, 2008 Share Posted December 16, 2008 Great looking stuff, might bring down the close line though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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