aris Posted April 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 30, 2013 Very good! Sell them on eBay :-) how did you do it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bakerboy Posted April 30, 2013 Report Share Posted April 30, 2013 I got abut bored at work and made these... i Ben They look really good, I will have a pair from you next time we meet. Terry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huffhuff Posted April 30, 2013 Report Share Posted April 30, 2013 (edited) I need to refine the technique a bit but getting there. I could probably knock out a pair in about 15 minutes including some polishing. Cut the hull down to the brass then heat/melt the excess with blow torch. Quick clear out and polish inside before wiping a bit of flux around. Then melt some solder 2/3 of the way up. Heat cufflink slightly, then reheat solder and join the two...preferably base plate submerged. I could have just araldited it in but I quite like the weight of this. My initial idea was to melt the actual lead from the shot in but couldn't be *****. Also, I'm in IT and have luscious soft hands. So, I'm sure people out there know of a better method (real men, that get dirty for a living)...please do tell Edited April 30, 2013 by huffhuff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aris Posted April 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 30, 2013 I like the idea of using solder. Where did you get the cuff link bits? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huffhuff Posted April 30, 2013 Report Share Posted April 30, 2013 (edited) eBay (obviously). I think I paid about £4 for 10 pairs. Edited April 30, 2013 by huffhuff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aris Posted April 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 30, 2013 You think a 12g might look too big? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huffhuff Posted April 30, 2013 Report Share Posted April 30, 2013 Yep. Tried and too big. Got some 20g and 28g on the way. But, I think .410 is optimum. However, the .410 doesn't have the nicest base Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aris Posted April 30, 2013 Author Report Share Posted April 30, 2013 28 may work. .550" compared to .410" - not much difference. The Holland and Holland shooting ground is around the corner from me - perhaps I can snag some of their branded shell casings for projects like this. They do not seem to do a .410, but they do a 28g. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huffhuff Posted April 30, 2013 Report Share Posted April 30, 2013 Ha. I just looked on t'internet and the 'holland and holland' cufflinks go for a pretty penny. However, mine are definitely not not up to standard so I'll mainly be offloading them to friends as gifts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Geordie Posted April 30, 2013 Report Share Posted April 30, 2013 I need to refine the technique a bit but getting there. I could probably knock out a pair in about 15 minutes including some polishing. Cut the hull down to the brass then heat/melt the excess with blow torch. Quick clear out and polish inside before wiping a bit of flux around. Then melt some solder 2/3 of the way up. Heat cufflink slightly, then reheat solder and join the two...preferably base plate submerged. I could have just araldited it in but I quite like the weight of this. My initial idea was to melt the actual lead from the shot in but couldn't be *****. Also, I'm in IT and have luscious soft hands. So, I'm sure people out there know of a better method (real men, that get dirty for a living)...please do tell Huff Huff If your wanting the plastic OUT of the brass! I use a gas soldering iron with a small blow lamp head. I heat the brass for about 15-20 seconds then use a set of pipe grips to pull the brass from the hull. You get a nice clean base. I started with a Candle heating the brasses! Trouble is they sooted up and had to be polished. The small torch means efficient heating and no cleaning needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aris Posted May 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 1, 2013 Looks like someone is already doing it: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Holland-Holland-shotgun-shell-cartridge-cap-cufflinks-clay-and-game-shooting-/271196965326?pt=UK_Collectables_Kitchenalia_RL&hash=item3f249949ce Keychains, lapel pins, fridge manets, http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/sal801flowers/m.html?item=271196965326&pt=UK_Collectables_Kitchenalia_RL&hash=item3f249949ce&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huffhuff Posted May 1, 2013 Report Share Posted May 1, 2013 Yep, they're nice and shiny too. I'm curious at how they fix the actual cufflink bit to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aris Posted May 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 1, 2013 Buy some and see I suspect something similar to what you are doing. He has obviously got some Brasso out and polished them up nice, or possibly even put them into a tumbler to polish them as used by jewellers. They need a bit of weight as you said, though I would have thought that solder may oxidise and mark your clothes over time. Perhaps he uses solder then something to cover it up on top of that - perhaps epoxy. I wonder also if he has not given them a laquer spray to keep them shiny and preventing oxidation of the brass. Those tumblers work stonkingly well - check out this video: http://videos.midwayusa.com/index.php/show/cleaning_10_gauge_brass_shotgun_shells?id=1_2gp0jh1t Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huffhuff Posted May 1, 2013 Report Share Posted May 1, 2013 Huff Huff If your wanting the plastic OUT of the brass! I use a gas soldering iron with a small blow lamp head. I heat the brass for about 15-20 seconds then use a set of pipe grips to pull the brass from the hull. You get a nice clean base. I started with a Candle heating the brasses! Trouble is they sooted up and had to be polished. The small torch means efficient heating and no cleaning needed. Thanks for that Lord Geordie. I've just been in the shed and dug out my old pencil blowtorch - a bit more delicate and precise than the full size one i've been using. These particular .410 cases have quite a bit of wadding in the base that needs burning out. I tried the heating and pulling but didn't quite work - I will give it another go though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huffhuff Posted May 1, 2013 Report Share Posted May 1, 2013 Buy some and see I suspect something similar to what you are doing. He has obviously got some Brasso out and polished them up nice, or possibly even put them into a tumbler to polish them as used by jewellers. They need a bit of weight as you said, though I would have thought that solder may oxidise and mark your clothes over time. Perhaps he uses solder then something to cover it up on top of that - perhaps epoxy. I wonder also if he has not given them a laquer spray to keep them shiny and preventing oxidation of the brass. Those tumblers work stonkingly well - check out this video: http://videos.midwayusa.com/index.php/show/cleaning_10_gauge_brass_shotgun_shells?id=1_2gp0jh1t Wow, that is impressively shiny. But I have had a think, and I quite like the rough, almost steampunk effect. The highly polished ones are nice (and probably more popular) but I like the rustic, used look. I was also worried about the oxidisation, so will look at some kind of enamel/acrylic type cap. However, it will need to be something that can be heated and poured on top. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aris Posted May 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 1, 2013 I agree with you on the rustic/steampunk look. Now that you mention enamel - perhaps something like nail-polish would work, or enamel paint used in model making (probably cheaper) - as long as it pours and dries with a nice smooth surface. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huffhuff Posted May 1, 2013 Report Share Posted May 1, 2013 Oh dear. Now i'm looking at jewellery making websites. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottoj18 Posted May 1, 2013 Report Share Posted May 1, 2013 This has got me thinking ... Ones got earplugs in the other about 40 22 pellets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottoj18 Posted May 1, 2013 Report Share Posted May 1, 2013 Salt and pepper shakers next Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Al Posted May 1, 2013 Report Share Posted May 1, 2013 (edited) This has got me thinking ... Ones got earplugs in the other about 40 22 pellets. image.jpg image.jpg I use these as match storage containers for the Trangia when I'm in the mountains or in the canoe. I also store woodcock pin feathers, dremel multiool attachments and airgun pellets in them. A small fishing kit with hooks and line caould be stored in (or around) them. Useful wee brutes. Edited May 1, 2013 by Big Al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huffhuff Posted May 1, 2013 Report Share Posted May 1, 2013 Yep. Already been using the shells for all sorts of storage. I'm actually going to give these cufflinks in them (stuffed in a black velvet bag) I'm feeling all gay and creative Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aris Posted May 1, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 1, 2013 Do you need to flange the lid to make it stay on? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottoj18 Posted May 1, 2013 Report Share Posted May 1, 2013 I did a little with the blow torch iv got ibuprofen in one aswell to go in the shooting bag ... I'm trying to think of others .... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Al Posted May 1, 2013 Report Share Posted May 1, 2013 Do you need to flange the lid to make it stay on? No. Trim off the crimp with a stanley knife and smooth off the cut edge on the plastic top. The brass will slide on for a snug fit. The top is water resistant rather than waterproof. It does float for long enough to fish it out of the water and keep the matches dry. Ive been there. Three inch cartridges give a bigger container (obviously) or you can trim the plastic so that there is little or no plastic showing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ging125 Posted May 5, 2013 Report Share Posted May 5, 2013 Good for end of bamboo canes in the garden too! Prevents eye loss! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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