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Zinc & Copper Pendant

Zinc & Copper Pendant
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This is what you get when you hammer air gun BB’s in to a penny and then polish off the copper to show the zinc.

To do it:

Place several BB’s between two pieces of aluminum tape. Lay a penny over the tape and cover it with another piece of tape.

Hammer the BB’s into the penny. Remove the penny from the layers of tape.

Place the penny on a piece of wood and use the head of a carriage bolt to hammer in a convex shape.

Solder a nail to the back side of the penny and mount it in a drill press. Spin in round and use progressively finer sand paper to shape and buff it. Finish it off with polishing compound and a cloth.

De-solder the nail from the penny before you drill a hole in one of the divots.

Make a jump ring for it to place it on a chain.
36 comments
Dec 21, 2011. 3:03 PMjafox9962 says:
I haven't been able to get the nail soldered to the penny. Not sure if my technique is lacking, or if there's a particular type of soldering wire needed to bond the steel nail to the copper or what. Any tips?

P.S. I'm aware that many users have already asked you for a soldering tutorial, sorry to repeat the question yet again. I just came across this today, and I thought I'd try to throw it together as a last minute Christmas gift for a friend.

Thank you
Dec 24, 2011. 10:44 PMjafox9962 says:
Thanks, that helped a lot. It took me a few tries, but I got it right eventually. This was my first time doing anything remotely like this, and it's not very much, but I'm happy with it. Thanks for posting this and answering my questions. I look forward to attempting more of your projects in the coming weeks.
Dec 21, 2011. 7:02 PMjafox9962 says:
I would like to follow this up by saying that I came across your soldering video. I thought it might be helpful, so I'm posting the link here below for anyone else who comes across this great instructable. Thanks again.

http://youtu.be/ly7OYmOEQ4U
Oct 12, 2011. 9:19 PMblack hole says:
Wonderful! Simply wonderful! I made one and wear it every day!
Aug 31, 2011. 9:23 PMlpatterson4 says:
Love this idea! Your very talented and inventive. would love to see more things you make. I'm going to try this one soon.
Jun 30, 2011. 10:08 AMAronWanderer says:
Hey Mrballeng,

Love your work, we think along the same lines. Someday I'll find time to post my stuff. Anyway, I thought this was a really great idea for a short project, and I wanted to post what I came up with. I apologize for the poor picture, my camera is not meant for macro work. I haven't put it on a chain yet, but I ran a piece of hemp through it, just for demonstration purposes.

All the best,

~Wander
Jul 1, 2011. 6:51 PMAronWanderer says:
No problem! I know how much fun it is to see that people are actually using your idea. I only wish I'd taken a picture after I finished the necklace. Gave it away this afternoon though, it's now adorning the neck of a pretty girl. As a side note, these make great pendants for beaded chokers.
May 30, 2011. 10:03 PMtaria says:
please excuse my stupidity, but it's late and I love this idea, I just have one question, when the copper from the penny comes off the little holes/indents still have it right?
May 31, 2011. 12:45 PMtaria says:
oh okay. thanks for the reply.
May 28, 2011. 8:12 PMyugnats says:
Awesome! Thank you for posting your ideas Mrballeng :)
May 6, 2011. 7:05 PMAsmodeous says:
Nice job man. Will it turn the skin green?
May 20, 2011. 2:25 AMMadrigorne says:
you can spray it with clear coat varnish on both sides - I am highly allergic to metal, but love to wear jewelry, and it works well for me (or clear nail polish)
May 18, 2011. 1:09 PMLondonbrig0 says:
Also, What's the back look like, did you sand that as well or just leave it? And where do you get your chains?
May 17, 2011. 11:55 PMLondonbrig0 says:
I love the look of the copper in the polished zinc. I'm going to try making a design by embossing crossed lines with a needle like you did on your leaf pendant. Please keep posting your great ideas!
May 16, 2011. 11:58 AMlyonpridej says:
You are so creative! I agree, where do you come up with these ideas?Do you just look at things & see them differently?
Either way, I love this. I was a Cub Scout leader for several years & I know my scouts would have loved to make this. My own 2 boys are teenagers now,but I know they are going to want to make this when they see it! Thanks!
May 7, 2011. 7:26 AMmslaynie says:
Where do you come up with these?? I love this, and I even have most of the stuff around to make it with! I'm just utterly speechless over this one...

You would giggle if you'd seen my husband and me walking through Lowe's last night, looking at all the different metal pipe fittings and so on! I grabbed a couple of copper pipe sections for a dollar each to make pendants from, and now I can't wait to get started!! :D

Thank you again for all the inspiration, as well as the reassurance that this really can be done!
May 6, 2011. 11:50 PMArtfulAl says:
do the bbs need to be hard steel? or can they be ceramic or something like that? also, im in need of a flat, hard, anvil-like surface, and my dad is tired of me chipping the garage floor. any suggestions?
May 7, 2011. 5:19 AMwobbler says:
Ceramic would just shatter, but any metal alloy should be ok. For an anvil, just use a club hammer or a sledge hammer in a vice. Use safety glasses too just to be on the safe side.
May 6, 2011. 7:44 PMdamascus freak says:
would duct tape work?
May 7, 2011. 8:24 AMpaganwonder says:
WOW- just WOW! Thanks for making jewelry-making accessible to us club-fisted neanderthals!
May 6, 2011. 6:35 PMemilygracedavis says:
This is so inventive!
May 6, 2011. 1:31 PMscoochmaroo says:
This one might be my favorite so far.
May 6, 2011. 1:16 PMgmoon says:

Great photos, great process.

I'd call for a "true" instructable, but it's pretty easy to follow from the photos alone...
May 6, 2011. 11:59 AMSHIFT! says:
I know what I'm making my mom for mothers day! Awesome!
May 4, 2011. 4:43 AMDr. Pepper says:
Another beauty!

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