Molten Paracord Pendant by Mrballeng
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Here’s a fun and different to way to use paracord. The basic of it is that you make a wire design and fill it with molten paracord. I was happy with how well it shined up. If your going after a completely smooth finish use polymer clay instead.

Safety First: Molten anything can cause severe burns. Anytime you use a flame make sure you’re in a well ventilated area and that you’ve taken fire safety precautions. As always, be careful and work within your experience.
 
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Step 1: Cut some rings

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I picked up some 16 gage galvanized steel wire from the hardware store, 200’ for about 7 bucks.

Use your desired size socket bit to wrap wire around it. Snip a full circle out of the coil and file the edges so the ends fit together nicely.

For the pendant I’m making do it twice.
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Shadow Ranger says: Jan 11, 2012. 11:32 AM
Cool project! We had fun with our own version of molten paracord after seeing your project and we came up with a few interesting ideas. If you use an oven that can reach at least 450*F (that is the minimal temperature and, in fact, would be better if it could reach a higher temperature!) then it will not only melt the cord but save most of the color. We had fun doing it and at the end we created a rather interesting survival bracelet with our "parabead" as the main focal point. Plus, this gives you something to do with the leftover lengths from your paracord projects that are too short to do anything else with! (We used the same color paracord as the bracelet for this experiment.)
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Mrballeng (author) says: Jan 13, 2012. 9:46 PM
Cool!!! Thanks for posting photos.
RaNDoMLeiGH says: Feb 8, 2012. 9:36 AM
Ooh, rainbow paracord! Must get some. Great idea to make a button with it!
Mudslag says: Feb 27, 2012. 10:42 PM
Just got done making this, thanks Mrballeng what a fun project
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Mrballeng (author) says: Feb 28, 2012. 12:28 AM
Cool!!!!! I like the design. Thanks for posting a photo.
msutton1 says: Feb 28, 2012. 4:45 PM
Finally finished mine (after melting the paracord over 5 times because it kept breaking from the metal haha). This is my very first metal working project so I am happy how it came out despite lacking the professionalism that yours has! Also, I put a coat of hard clear nail polish to give it a nice shine and seal it all together. Awesome project though!
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Mrballeng (author) says: Feb 29, 2012. 12:30 PM
Looks great! You'd laugh at all the projects I've done that don't turn out at all. My hat off to you for keeping at it until you got it right. Good work.
Ijsbeer says: Mar 10, 2013. 9:46 AM
The air bubbles make it look kinda like basalt. Which is awesome.
controlledwrinkles says: Feb 8, 2013. 4:22 PM
This looks awesome, I have been playing around with homemade Micarta, but have yet to publish an Instrucatble on the process yet, but here is someone elses: http://www.instructables.com/id/Mokume-Kireji-DIY-Woodgrain-Composites/

You might want to try this, it's messy but fun.

I am going to try to combine your rings template with the fabric Micarta to create something cool, I'll keep you posted.
WouterZ says: Jan 23, 2013. 7:09 AM
Very nicely done!
RCBro says: Sep 12, 2012. 7:04 PM
As part of RRR I made this with key rings, one small key ring in the middle, and a larger one surrounding it.
Bekah09 says: Apr 19, 2012. 2:24 PM
Since I doubt my landlord would appreciate me soldering things in my apartment (and my dog probably won't like it, either), I was hoping to be able to purchase one from your store... Is there any particular reason you don't sell these?
Mrballeng (author) says: Apr 23, 2012. 9:58 PM
No problem. Send me a PM if your still interested. PS sorry for the delay.
aoag516 says: Dec 20, 2011. 12:15 PM
Does it matter what kind of sheet metal is used, if so what are you using here?
Mrballeng (author) says: Dec 22, 2011. 12:01 AM
As long as it's not aluminum or stainless steel it should work just fine.
Mudslag says: Feb 26, 2012. 11:43 PM
Why not aluminum or stainless steel?
Mrballeng (author) says: Feb 29, 2012. 12:27 PM
Those metals don't take very well to this type of soldering.
msutton1 says: Feb 26, 2012. 2:35 PM
Okay, so I have tried 3 times now on this step. I have melted the paracord (after removing all the white strands inside) over my template and let it cool. Problem is, when I go to file and sand it, it cracks and breaks away from the metal. I can not get it to stay in the metal! Not sure what I am either doing wrong of what I can change to make it stay...
Mrballeng (author) says: Feb 26, 2012. 9:25 PM
When I did it I left all the white strands inside the cord. The only place I had any issue was at the very top where the crescent is the thinest but all I did was drip more on that part and resanded it. Hopefully that makes the difference. Let me know.
msutton1 says: Feb 24, 2012. 4:57 AM
I am working on making this right now but there is one step I have never done. Soldering. Should I get just a simple 30w soldering iron? And what else do I need?
Mrballeng (author) says: Feb 24, 2012. 10:48 AM
Go to the plumbing section at walmart and buy some silver solder and a container of flux. You can also find this at home depot or lowes but they have a higher price for it. You'll find a plumbing torch in the same isle. It costs about $15. Of course you could also use a mini jet lighter. Check out my "how to solder amateur jewelry" instructable. That should take out the mystery of soldering. About soldering irons I've never used one to solder jewelry but I've heard you can use one for very small areas. Good luck.
msutton1 says: Feb 24, 2012. 11:24 AM
So awesome! Just watched the other video and I learned everything I need to do! Can't wait to experiment and try some stuff tonight and see how much more I can do on this pendant! Thanks again!
black hole says: Jan 26, 2012. 2:30 PM
Just saw you made it to the finalists. Good luck!
pheenix42 says: Jan 16, 2012. 12:45 AM
Molten paracord? Now I HAVE seen everything!
Been collecting a few small tools, should be able to work on one of your projects pretty soon now!
Edmundo096 says: Jan 16, 2012. 10:52 PM
Its nice to finally begin.. I have been collecting the tools needed too, hard to find them where I live, also the material, specially a good normal sheet of steel metal..
Im still unsure if there is a difference if I use a Non-lead 95% tin Solder than on with Silver.. If someone knows, it would be nice to know the info..
Anyways, hope to make my first instrutable or video about how I try to do some pendants..
Thanks Mrballeng!
jbounce says: Jan 2, 2012. 6:38 PM
Love the project! What size chain did you use? 18"?
Mrballeng (author) says: Jan 4, 2012. 11:38 AM
The chain is a silver box chain I got from my daughter's jewelry box. I'm not sure what size it is but it came from target. Hope that helps.
hechao says: Dec 30, 2011. 5:04 AM
NICE!!!!
sparktech says: Dec 27, 2011. 8:31 PM
not having a metal back for it doesn't work...i tried it and it fell apart don't waste your time just have it use a metal back
sparktech says: Dec 19, 2011. 10:09 PM
if you used a different color of paracord would it still turn out the same? like if you used red paracord would the paracord have little wisps of black from it being burned or would it be solid red?
sparktech says: Dec 19, 2011. 9:29 AM
to go off what eschneck said, could you just lay the two rings on a piece of sheet metal that has been lubricated in some way so that the melted paracord doesn't stick but it still allows for a space for the paracord to go?
Mrballeng (author) says: Dec 19, 2011. 6:44 PM
I'm not sure how hard that would be to do but it's worth a try.
Ray from RI says: Dec 15, 2011. 11:13 AM
http://www.mailleartisans.org/articles/articledisplay.cgi?key=8695

The above web site is about toxic zinc exposure from Galvanized steel!
vanmankline says: Dec 15, 2011. 1:06 PM
The minute amounts of zinc burned off from heating won't cause huge problems for the hobbyist. If your job consists of heating galvanized metals, then OSHA has required safety precautions/regulations in place.

You should also note that most solders people would use for this type of work melt below 840 degrees centigrade, zinc boils at 900. Besides, soldering should be done in well ventilated location so fumes can't accumulate.

I'm not saying to throw all caution to the wind, but look at all sides of a debate. Only then can one make an informed decision.

Too much of anything can be dangerous, but the only toxic chemicals you should make all efforts to avoid are dihydrogen monoxide, hydroxic acid, hydroxylic acid, and hydrogen hydroxide. Don't get me started on how hazardous those things can be! The worst part is we are surrounded by them...

P.S. Great job Mrballeng!
Ray from RI says: Dec 19, 2011. 11:35 AM
vanmankline,
what you say is true, but if anyone decided they are going to constantly use metals for jewelry making other than gold or silver because they are cheap then you shoukld at least be aware of some of the dangers involved in doing so. Also if you decide you can make and sell a lot of cheap jewelry to make extra money or a living then you should make sure of ALL the dangers involved.

People DO develop sensitivities to copper, brass and zinc and if someone that you sold this jewelry comes to you demanding to know whay they had to spend a lot of money at the ER to treat an unknow sensitivity to zince what are you going to do if they demand that you pay for the expence???

TO be knowledgable and understand about these issue is a good thing for more than just one reason. I have several books on jewelry making and the Better books go over some of these issues. But none of the jewelry books I have deal or talk about making jewelry from galvinized wire or its possible safty issues.
serpensphile says: Dec 16, 2011. 4:38 PM
No Doubt! I can't believe Obama hasn't regulated those dangerous chemicals you listed above. THOUSANDS of men, women, and children die EACH year because of them! Where is the OUTRAGE?!?!?
Ray from RI says: Dec 15, 2011. 8:02 AM
Nice project but I would stay away from heating Any Metal that is Galvinized!!!
Galvinized metal is iron/steel that has a coating of zinc metal on top to keep it from rusting.

Heating ANY Galvinized metal WILL Create Toxic FUMES that can KILL YOU!!!
See the below web site citation!!!

http://www.arador.com/articles/galv.html

Or just do a search using the words " heating galvinized metal/steel"

You are better off using copper/brass or any plain steel that is NOT coated with Zinc or any other protective metal!!!!

Zinc oxide makes a good sun screen but the fumes from heating Galvinized Metal will and has Kill Others!!!!
black hole says: Dec 18, 2011. 10:58 AM
Anyone killed by zinc fumes was probably running a torch over galvinized metal, working in a small, airtight closet. With the kind of work Mrballeng is doing, it's unlikely that you would get anything more than a slight case of 'metal fume fever', a condition that is similar to the common flu but rarely lasts more than 24 hours.
Ray from RI says: Dec 19, 2011. 11:26 AM
What you say is true, but to me I would Much Rather Err on the side of Caution!

And enven inhailing fine zinc particle via filing down the rings exposes you to the zinc. Also if you or anyone decided to use zinc coated wire to make a lot of objects / jewelry to wear thant means a lot of flame soldering/ filing not to mention wearing your own creations. Just like people have skin sensitivity to copper and brass they can also develop a skin sensitivity to wearing items make or coated with zinc...

And say you sold of give this to someone and they end upn developing a bad case of skin sensitivity what will you do then..? What if They decide they want recomensation SP? for the time and expence it cost them to go to the Dr or say the EM Room at the local hospital???

I have taken some jewelry making courses, and the teacher did go over some of this... Long term exposure to certain heavy metals is Not a good thing! Most how to jewelry books go over making itens out of gold, silver and there is a reason for this there is little if No toxicity cause by these metals. Certainly jewelry made of copper, brass and modern lead free peweter are alson talked about by older books and some the the better newer books do talk about toxicity and sensitivity issues...!

No one ever talk serriously in the classes I took, or in the books I own about making jewery from galvinized wire. Certainly makeing jewelry from galvinized wire/ metal is an attractive and cheap alturnative to silver, copper and brass but people should at least be aware of the possible dangers of using, open flame soldering and wearing such jewelry.


To be warned and to be aware of dangers is a Good thing, and that is my purpose
AntonioMDC says: Dec 18, 2011. 11:11 PM
socket bits! thank you--this was just the solution I needed for making various size rings.
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