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Making pens from bullet cartridges

Ralphsputin

Ralphsputin

Full Member
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Dec 4, 2013
Posts
67
Location
West Lothian
It just so happens that I have a few boxes of (fired) SA80 cartridge 5.56mm cases that I got from a self-loader. He bought them at Bisley but the hole for the primer was too small and he couldn't use them so a deal was done for a few pens.

Now I have made a few pens using these but I have yet to find a finish for the brass bits that doesn't wear off. I haven't tried CA yet btw. Letting the metal tarnish may be a solution, in fact I quite like them like that.

A few turners on here are making bullet pens from cartridges rather than kits - have any of you solved the tarnishing problem?

I use Rustins metal lacquer at the moment - this keeps them nice in the show case but it wears off pretty quickly in use.

Ta!

Ralph
 
Grump

Grump

Grand Master
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Aug 17, 2013
Posts
10,510
Location
Stevenage
First Name
Brian
Just clean em up nice and bright and let the owner take pride in keeping it that way init?
 
paulm

paulm

grave manibus faciendum
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Oct 7, 2013
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12,046
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Sandford
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Paul
Umm, I have been using Rustins but haven't had them for long enough to see that it wears off.
 
edlea

edlea

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Aug 1, 2013
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4,693
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Blackpool
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Ed
Like Brian's idea, a pen used regularly will keep its-self clean and build up a nice sheen .By all means lacquer a display only pen. There is a vast array of lacquers on the market, I have know people to even use hair lacquer for brass work in the good old days ..doubt whether modern hair spray would work though.
 
Penpal

Penpal

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May 26, 2013
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25,342
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Canberra AUSTRALIA
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Peter
Au naturale, army style but people told this on purchase. Powder coated or use nickel cartridges, plating gold , silver et al please your fancy. I also regard purchased kits already plated to be a step forward as well.

Let the market decide horses for courses.

Peter.
 
Ralphsputin

Ralphsputin

Full Member
Joined
Dec 4, 2013
Posts
67
Location
West Lothian
Thanks all - leaving them to tarnish is certainly the easiest route!

I think I'll continue with the Rustins now I have the jar but tell folk it will wear off.

I might knock some up this weekend and I'll put some pics up.

Ralph
 
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