The Muse's Idea Jar

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Thu Feb 24, 2005 11:13 am

Dang.

Martiansky · Post by **Martiansky** » Thu Feb 24, 2005 11:14 am

Dang, I didn't know that about brass! WOW! Thanks for the info!

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Thu Feb 24, 2005 11:16 am

bronze is tin and copper? I'm not sure if there's any lead content.

I love those brightly colored wires that are over silver, they are gourgeous. I forget the name of the manufacturer. . .

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Thu Feb 24, 2005 11:20 am

[quote="theCryptofishist I've been thinking of getting one of those big Soy Sauce cans, cutting off hte top (but leaving the handle) putting in a bunch of holes in the side and then throwing in a bunch of blinkies and using it as a lantern. Does the torch make a less dangerous cut than can opener and aviation snips?[/quote]
It's sloppier, but controllable with practice. I make solar lanterns from aluminum cannisters and coffeepots and such, and make the cutouts with power shears. They're kind of an investment- I bought a reconditioned pair built on a Milwaukee drill body for a hundred bucks- But I use 'em a lot by way of justification. They zip through any thin metal or plastic, removing about a 3/16" strip of material that often ends up getting used in something. I think you can buy air-driven shears for fifty, but you need the compressor setup.
You can avoid the ragged edges of a snips-cut by drilling a big hole (1/2" or so) at both ends of the cutout section and then playing connect-the-dots with the aviation snips.
I remember when I first started working at a big sign shop, fabricating "letter cans" for big outdoor signage- I thought they were jerking my chain when they referred to "left-" and "right-" cutting shears!
ONE MORE suggestion- Heavy-duty cutoff wheel on a Dremel tool.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Thu Feb 24, 2005 11:24 am

Yes, I finally bought a dremel so that was my other thought.

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Thu Feb 24, 2005 11:26 am

blueniteowl wrote:yea, I've picked up wire at ace hardware. Home depot doesn't have much of a selection at all. I also pick up wire at beading stores and craft stores. One of my favorite beading stores is Bobby Bead, in uptown. They have a website if you interested: www.bobbybead.com

For larger wire in aluminum or copper, check your local Metal Box Art Supply Outlet....(AKA "dumpster".) LOTS gets thrown away, although more people save Cu. than Al.. You can get a lot of copper wire strands out of a couple of feet of braided grounding wire from a hardware retailer, and sometimes they have short precut lengths for cheap.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Fri Mar 25, 2005 1:18 pm

robotland might provide more inspiration.

First sporran complete! It features an aluminum disc with the likeness of Chef Boy-Ar-Dee and flourescent bucktail.

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Mon Mar 28, 2005 5:56 am

theCryptofishist wrote:robotland might provide more inspiration.

First sporran complete! It features an aluminum disc with the likeness of Chef Boy-Ar-Dee and flourescent bucktail.

Be glad to!

Now working on a matching hat to go with the sporran, and another sporran of (found) black bear fur with melted aluminum nuggets and toggle switches. Need to return to the flyfishing counter for more strangely-colored animal products.
Returning after a long hiatus to work on Electric Bunny Armor, a suit of modernized plate armor made from aluminum jello moulds and trimmed with purple and green EL. I made a GREAT cast aluminum bunny head belt buckle, but it weighs a half-pound and the ears poke you when you bend over. (Hmmm, I think I just set myself up...)