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PMC and pens?

Jimjam66

Jimjam66

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So my ever-active brain seems to be leading down a path fraught with waaaaay more pain and expense. I'm wondering how successful it might be to turn a pen barrel (no centre hole - you'll see why in a minute) out of something like cork clay, then mount it on the CNC lathe and pattern it somehow. Now for the interesting bit - fill the resultant patterns with sterling silver PMC then fire it to burn out the cork clay and be left with - fingers and toes firmly crossed - a skeleton barrel in precious metal!

I know I know - more sedation may be required for this patient ... but I'd still love to hear your thoughts.
 
paulm

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Wow, that would be amazing if it worked David :thumbs:

I look forward to the pictures.
 
Neil Lawton

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PMC shrinks by about 10% when fired, so you would have to bear that in mind David.
You can buy it in a lot smaller amounts, and a little goes a long way.
The PMC3 I have is 995 silver. You can buy it in a Syringe, or as a paste for infill / lost mould work.
Have a look here
 
Jimjam66

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Neil Lawton said:
PMC shrinks by about 10% when fired, so you would have to bear that in mind David.
You can buy it in a lot smaller amounts, and a little goes a long way.
The PMC3 I have is 995 silver. You can buy it in a Syringe, or as a paste for infill / lost mould work.
Have a look here
Click to expand...

Yeah, I knew that. Not sure in which dimensions it's going to shrink though? I guess that's something you find out the hard way!

I *believe* that fine silver is softer and more malleable than sterling - the extra 7% copper content makes sterling more serviceable. Hence why I figured sterling would be better than fine.

I also believe (from a long past discussion with Steve (trapper) that you are not allowed to hallmark your silver unless you jump through hoops of fire with the London Assizes office. So to go to all that expense and effort only to sell the final product as 'white metal' seems a bit dubious. Just a thought ...
 
brody2123

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I like your thinking mate. That would be stunning. Pushing the boundaries is a good thing and if you do go for it, hats off to you sir:thumbs:
 
Grump

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I had some silver jewelry made for our 25th avernursary.
The jeweler presented all this lovely stuff to me very proudly and I shoved it straight back at him saying it don't no good without hallmarks init?
Cost nearly as much again to get it done and took only a few weeks but all was goodly for the day and my Drain has something to pass down as heirloom init?

To experiment why not melt some pewter in the clay?
Come to that melt some silver in.

One another vein I have some silver wire (flat tape) cut strips and bury them in, happy to sent you some to play with when I get round to sending everything else that has to go out.
No Jim I haven't forgotten you and I heavent posted it yet either, will do soon init?
 
Penpal

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Following thoughts on materials would pewter yield a different path low melting point etc. Will watch this to see how you go all the best mate. Bump when I posted noticed Brian had a similar thought.

Peter.:thumbs::thumbs:
 
Neil Lawton

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Jimjam66 said:
Yeah, I knew that. Not sure in which dimensions it's going to shrink though? I guess that's something you find out the hard way!

I *believe* that fine silver is softer and more malleable than sterling - the extra 7% copper content makes sterling more serviceable. Hence why I figured sterling would be better than fine.

I also believe (from a long past discussion with Steve (trapper) that you are not allowed to hallmark your silver unless you jump through hoops of fire with the London Assizes office. So to go to all that expense and effort only to sell the final product as 'white metal' seems a bit dubious. Just a thought ...
Click to expand...

Amongst other bits I have the ring making kit, it recommends making it 10% fatter / thicker, and 10% larger internal ring size to that required for the finished fitting. 995 is definitely softer than 925, but are you going to use the pen as a mallet?:funny:

I haven't looked for a while, but Reputable suppliers, like the one I linked to, used to offer a hallmarking service.
Your finished article could be returned to them, and for a set fee, they dealt with the legalities, it was assized, marked, and returned.
PMC is normally engraved with a laser hallmark, as stamping is not advisable.
 
Jim

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Can't comment on this yet, as i don't have a clue what it is your talking about David .. :goesred: Once i see the result the penny might drop .. :thumbs:

Off to read my PM's now to see what it was that grumps is posting off to me .. :whistling:
 
Grump

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Jimjam66 said:
Oooh yes please dad! I might have a little play with that, I might ...
Click to expand...

Consider it done young David, when I get round to it init?

Watch parts Jim for your bling pen, steam punk or whatever you wanna call it.

Given up flogging my watches, bloody £16 for an £80 watch and £60 for a £200, watch ain't worth the effort I'll take em to a pawn shop.
Try my luck with the lighters next
 
Lons

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Well I'll go to the foot of the stairs:goesred:
I wondered what women's problems had to do with turning pens. Learned something new when I googled pmc:whistling:
 
Jimjam66

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Grump said:
Consider it done young David, when I get round to it init?

Watch parts Jim for your bling pen, steam punk or whatever you wanna call it.

Given up flogging my watches, bloody £16 for an £80 watch and £60 for a £200, watch ain't worth the effort I'll take em to a pawn shop.
Try my luck with the lighters next
Click to expand...

Sorry about the watches, Brian. It did strike me while looking at the auction site that you may not be getting enough punters through the door. Why not have a dabble on fleaBay? Costs nowt to list and you only pay if you sell.
 
Grump

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Jimjam66 said:
Sorry about the watches, Brian. It did strike me while looking at the auction site that you may not be getting enough punters through the door. Why not have a dabble on fleaBay? Costs nowt to list and you only pay if you sell.
Click to expand...

The prices quoted above are eBay dad, sadly I post them off today.
 
paulm

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Grump said:
Consider it done young David, when I get round to it init?

Watch parts Jim for your bling pen, steam punk or whatever you wanna call it.

Given up flogging my watches, bloody £16 for an £80 watch and £60 for a £200, watch ain't worth the effort I'll take em to a pawn shop.
Try my luck with the lighters next
Click to expand...

Thats such a shame Brian, if you have a photo of the rest, send them to me with what you want and I'll pass it on to someone that collects watches.
 
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