|
|
Post by mohs on Jan 12, 2012 22:42:47 GMT -5
I've couple questions Adrian Is the meteor slab magnetic? What is the steel blank composition? O i just saw you mentioned stainless steel I know you have lots of rock tricks up your sleeve so I'm wondering how you handle the handle  |
|
|
|
Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Jan 13, 2012 14:51:21 GMT -5
Another option for preventing rust is high quality car wax.
Chuck
|
|
carloscinco
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2008
Posts: 1,639
|
Post by carloscinco on Jan 15, 2012 10:50:12 GMT -5
Renaissance wax is what I use for my carbon steel blades. A high quality furniture paste wax is very good as well. That meteorite looks like Gibeon. I have several of those that have put up with the handling by grandkids and others without a problem. I do keep them waxed but I think the nickle in the Gibeon helps.
|
|
|
|
Post by frane on Jan 15, 2012 11:46:13 GMT -5
That looks like another great project for you Adrian! I am always so impressed by your work!
Fran
|
|
|
|
Post by docone31 on Jan 15, 2012 23:03:10 GMT -5
Adrian,
Here is what i would do.
First, silver solder sterling silver around the border of the knife. Then, inlay the piece of meteorite in the opening. I would use an Hart burr to make the inlay groove.
Then, I would make the piece so it "snapped" into the piece of sterling. I then, would planish the sterling down to the piece.
The excess silver solder, I would file remove so the sterling piece would have sharp edges. This will give it a definitive outline, and the dissimiliar metals with the sterling inbetween would lood great.
The meteorite would be mechanically fastened via a cold joint. The planishing marks would file smooth.
Another alternative would be to make a groove in the cutout. This way, the sterling could be cold fastened to the blade, and the meteorite. Then draw file to remove the hammer marks.
I think, that would look great!
You have a good idea with the blade and meteorite piece. No matter what you do, it will look great.
|
|
|
|
Post by NatureNut on Jan 16, 2012 0:01:26 GMT -5
Whoo-hoo!!! He's at it again!!!
What about Polyurethane or Resin? A clear Quartz cap (like a doublet)?
Jo
|
|
adrian65
Cave Dweller 
Arch to golden memories and to great friends.
Member since February 2007
Posts: 10,790
|
Post by adrian65 on Jan 16, 2012 9:46:33 GMT -5
Thank you all for the kind words and especially for the advices.
I almost certain I'm not going to cover the meteorite with anything, leaving it as it is and protecting it with one of the suggested oils or waxes. Optical quartz or saphire would be a good solution, but I think I'm gonna keep the blade just metal.
Doc, I was thinking about fixing the meteorite in the style you told me, only I thought copper instead of silver (notice the very first picture in my post, this was meant when I drew the frame around the meteorite). Any advantage if using silver, you think? Copper is pretty soft too, as far as I know.
Adrian
|
|
|
|
Post by docone31 on Jan 16, 2012 10:13:25 GMT -5
Adrian,
Copper would be good also.
Similiar properties. I do all my work in silver, so that was the first I thought of.
That will look great when done.
|
|
|
|
Post by johnjsgems on Jan 16, 2012 10:52:05 GMT -5
Cool!
|
|
|
|
Post by Hard Rock Cafe on Jan 16, 2012 13:54:00 GMT -5
Just a thought: when two dissimilar metals come in contact, one will become an anode and the other a cathode, which can lead to corrosion. Of course, using stainless will help prevent that. As you can tell I'm no expert on the topic, so I don't know long it would take. Humidity would be a factor. Maybe there is some way to insulate the two metals from each other while still achieving a mechanical bond? I'd just hate to see it turn into a NiFe battery!
Chuck
|
|
|
|
Post by docone31 on Jan 17, 2012 8:49:35 GMT -5
I wouldn't worry about that. I use copper, and sterling as inlays on dissimiliar metals.
So far no issues.
Perhaps is it was made to function in a salt water environment.
|
|
adrian65
Cave Dweller
Arch to golden memories and to great friends.
Member since February 2007
Posts: 10,790
|
Post by adrian65 on Feb 3, 2012 6:23:54 GMT -5
Hello, again. Time for the first update. I was pretty caught with some job tasks these weeks so didn't have time to really work at the knife untill these days. I made some soldering tests though and figured out what you metal gurus warned me about: stainless steel is impossible to solder with usual materials and with my poor skills. The tin floats on the stainless steel plate like oil on water. That being said, and with the aim of not adding on the blade any material but metal, I kinda changed the approach: I made a recess on each side of the blade. These recesses would host two copper frames which would exceed just a bit the edge of the meteorite slab. These two copper frames, when riveted, would hold the meteorite securely. Like in this drawing:  I made these recesses using my dremel:   And I kinda brought them to the final shape. Here's one of them:  Now, if only I had the copper sheet needed. Still looking for it. But meantime I thought to add some copper wire inlay to the upper spine of the blade. So, back to the dremel to cut the groove:  Then, inserting the copper wire:  Hammering it more, to press it inside the groove as much as possible (BTW, the groove is kinda trapezoidal, wide base down and narrow base up, to hold the wire inside):  After some grinding and sanding...  ...here is what came out:  (notice the other piece of stainless steel, which I used for some tests about wire inlay and file work) Then, I continued the copper wire inlay on the spine of the handle, but this time not straight but zig-zag pattern. Inserting the wire:  Copper wire inserted:  Finished:   So, that would be all for now, this is how the knife looks for the moment:  Thank you for looking, Adrian |
|
carloscinco
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2008
Posts: 1,639
|
Post by carloscinco on Feb 4, 2012 13:52:05 GMT -5
Compliments on your very steady hand. I would have had that wheel skipping all over the spine of that blade. That is turning out beautifully.
|
|
|
|
Post by rockmanken on Feb 4, 2012 13:56:55 GMT -5
Fantastic as usual.
You have more patience than I. Get frustrated just doing filework, sometimes.
Ken
|
|
|
|
Post by rockmanken on Feb 4, 2012 13:58:33 GMT -5
You should be able to get some copper electrical wire at a supply store and strip the insulation and flatten it to use.
|
|
|
|
Post by Toad on Feb 4, 2012 22:15:32 GMT -5
Awesome again. You do great work. Don't wait so long on the next update.
|
|
shermlock
has rocks in the head
Member since August 2011
Posts: 612
|
Post by shermlock on Feb 4, 2012 22:20:14 GMT -5
Wow.
Scott
|
|
adrian65
Cave Dweller
Arch to golden memories and to great friends.
Member since February 2007
Posts: 10,790
|
Post by adrian65 on Feb 5, 2012 4:34:02 GMT -5
Thank you everyone. Carlos, you know, me neither I didn't think I'd be able to cut that staright groove until I tried it. Ken, thank you for the idea but I'd rather make each frame out of one solid piece, which is not possible if I use a strip as you suggest. BTW, electrical wire is what I used for the copper inlay. Todd, believe me, my intention is also not to wait so long Adrian |
|
SteveHolmes
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since July 2009
Posts: 1,900
|
Post by SteveHolmes on Feb 5, 2012 11:40:10 GMT -5
You always continue to amaze me Adrian! I love the copper inlay in the handle. This is going to be another awesome knife!
steve
|
|
TByrd
fully equipped rock polisher
Have you performed your random act of kindness?
Member since December 2010
Posts: 1,350
|
Post by TByrd on Feb 5, 2012 19:31:48 GMT -5
Adrian, that is so awesome. I love what you have done.
Tammy
|
|
