Brass Monkey

This monkey was made from two bullet shells and 20” of brass wire. It makes for a cool way to hang your keys.

The face is my design while the rest of the body is based off a monkey I bought from a home furnishings store.

UPDATE: Step 1. now shows how I used SketchBook Express to make this project.

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Step 1: SketchBook Express

Here’s more to how I made this little brass monkey. These pictures were taken while making the project though, for the sake of being concise, I left them out. To get into the Make It Real Challenge I’ve included them.

I started by taking a picture with my Ipad and then opening it through Autodesk’s free app “SketchBook Express”.

I created a layer and sketched out what I wanted my monkey to look like. Once I was done I removed the original picture layer so all I saw was my sketch.

I printed out the sketch and used that “blue print” to make the project.

MoustacheCat says: Sep 20, 2012. 12:11 PM

Brass monkey... That funky monkey...

mcshawnboy says: Apr 4, 2012. 3:40 PM

I was reading a cookbook I picked up at Goodwill in Frederick,MD for USS Terrebonne (LST 1156) named after a Parrish of Louisiana. In it is a story of how on ships of "The Wooden Navy" that cannonballs could be stored close to the guns w/o rolling around by stacking in a 4 sided pyramid fastened to the deck with a brass plate (To prevent rusting) with indentations for the cannonballs stating the device was called a "Brass Monkey" & the indications in cold weather of the different metals. : ) Another good project!

S.Leung in reply to mcshawnboyApr 9, 2012. 11:46 PM

I remember hearing about this once in from a Navy man. He said that they used to place cannonballs on the decks, but they would roll around and cause trouble, so devices known as "monkeys" were fashioned to hold the cannonballs. The "monkeys" were first made of iron which allowed rust to form, rendering the cannonballs useless, as they could not be fired. Later, the monkeys were made of brass, which would not rust. However, the brass would expand and contract at a different rate than the iron balls and in very cold conditions, the brass would shrink to such an extent that the balls could roll out if the ship listed. This is (apparently) the source of the term "cold enough to freeze the balls off of a brass monkey." However, this is apparently not true, as shot was usually kept below decks...

mcshawnboy in reply to S.LeungApr 10, 2012. 10:50 PM

Thanks! I had no idea I was swindled by an urban legend! Shawn

handprints says: Apr 5, 2012. 9:50 PM

you never cease to amaze me.

mcshawnboy says: Apr 4, 2012. 4:02 PM

If you're searching for dapping/dopping punches to ball end tool used in this 'ible I got mine from Harbor Freight for about $40 with a wide range of punches & a block of matching dished shapes. Some folks in jewelry making blogs say the tools aren't quality, but they work for me! If you like paying more Rio Grande & Contenti also sell them.

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Mrballeng (author) in reply to mcshawnboyApr 5, 2012. 1:13 AM

That's the exact set I have. Works just fine for me. Thanks for the info.

JasonTX says: Apr 4, 2012. 11:56 AM

Great photos, and you certainly have a skill at shaping brass. This gives me an idea for making embossed signs for our herb garden - Oregano, Sage, etc.

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Mrballeng (author) in reply to JasonTXApr 5, 2012. 1:11 AM

Thanks and hooah!

bennettcrew says: Apr 4, 2012. 9:29 AM

You are "da Man!" I would say that now I have something I can do with the brass bones, after I cut all the ends off (for other projects). I'd sure like to give this a try. Tools: the rounded tool... is that a "dapping" tool (is that the name?)... I've seen some of these tools on Etsy (as I'm geographically limited on fancy hobby tool buying places, I have to buy online).
Speaking of "buying online".... if anyone else wants to try this project, but you don't have the brass... please feel free to private message me, or contact me at whteagle2003@yahoo.com (put something in subject line to remind me)... I have brass (with and without the primer ends). I might even be convinced to cut and flatten them for you! Not only do I have the brass ones, but I also have some with a copper based alloy. Might be interesting for some projects requiring some varied color.
Thanks again Balleng, for such an awesome project! If you decide to sell one of these, please let me know where to find it... I've got 4 teenagers (19-13), 3 dogs, some thousand cats, and a wife... Throwing a monkey in the mix would be just the thing!

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Mrballeng (author) in reply to bennettcrewApr 5, 2012. 1:03 AM

I think "dapping tool" is correct. It came in a set from harbor freight for $40. Don't forget to share some photos with what you make. Thanks!