Salamander Pendant

I made this pendant using the "Dusky Salamander" as a model. It's made from a section of 3/16" steel dowel rod and a paper clip. I had a good time making it. The rod is available at any home improvement store.

Step 1 Turn the dowel

Chuck the section of dowel into a drill press. The one I’m using is an 8” press laid on it’s side.

Spin the dowel and shave down the desired profile with a file.

Make sure it cools off before you touch it.

Comments

[Jeff-of-all-trades]

Made this as a Christmas gift for the wife and she loved it. Thanks for the Instructable!

[black hole]

I made a Negishi Ryu shuriken using this method. I never would have tried if it weren't for this 'ible.

[Mrballeng]

Whoa! That turned out great. Good work!

[black hole]

Thanks!

[hechao]

hello, nice work! what kind steel is that, it's really difficult to shave it ... the press should be very strong?

[Mrballeng]

There is nothing special about this steel. It's just a plain metal rod from the hardware store. I think I paid about $2 for it. It was very easy to shave down. It took me about 5 minutes. The press is just a normal drill press laid on it's side.

[tmack0]

Excellent 'ible, Im finishing up one now as a gift for a caving friend of mine. I ended up using 3 nails, one large one for the body and two small ones for the legs. I turned it on a hand held power drill using a bastard file and used a cheapo propane plumbing torch to heat it for bending. Looks good so far, thanks for the idea and guide (will add a pic when Im finished)!

[tmack0]

as promised, my version made from nails
thanks again for the instructable!

[Mrballeng]

You really did a great job! My hat off to you. I know your friend will love it. Thanks for posting a photo.

[hechao]

I had a drill press, the speed of motor is 1420 RPM, but I can switch the belt on the gears, so the speed can go to 3100, and the power of it is 250W (the motor is 1/3HP), does it good to do this? I bought a stainless steel rod type 303, is it a good one? Thanks again!

I took a look of all your work, nice! impressive!

[Mrballeng]

Sounds like my drill press. It should work fine. About the stainless steel, I've never had any luck soldering with it though it wouldn't hurt to give it a try.

[1307invert]

Say, how do you keep your pieces from rusting? it seems like, with such a high polish, that the wearer might have to oil it or such to keep it from growing a dusky red skin. am I missing something obvious?

[Mrballeng]

I've noticed that the more a steel surface is polished the less likely it is to rust. Rust is not a problem though unless the piece is in constant contact with moisture. My sister has a few of my pieces and uses clear nail polish with sucess. I've heard there's a liquid called "cold blue" used for gun metal. I'll try it if I ever come across it.

[Lildevil963]

very nice also ty for the instructable on polishing it saved many unpolished things from being make fun of :P

[Mrballeng]

"Haha your tarnished." =)

[p.ingenhoff]

super arbeit!!!

[42lwood]

This is very neat and pretty, and extremely cheap compared to most jewelry stores, but I think the Ible could have been worded better.

[astrong0]

how long was the straight piece on the press?

[Mrballeng]

I used the scientific length of my index finger for the over all length. The salamander it self was measured from the tip of my idex finger to the second joint.

[astrong0]

such high precision instruments you have!!

[abvnatter]

That's beautiful. Thanks for posting. My gf really liked that you staged it on the polished rocks.

[Mrballeng]

Cool! I'm glad you two liked it.

[triumphman]

What type of solder did you use, silver solder, 50/50, 50/60, like the plumbers use for copper pipe ? Flux type ? Nice job, I can't believe those paper clips made such nice legs! Awesome ! Got to try this ASAP! Thanks for sharing your expertise!

[Mrballeng]

I picked up the solder in the plumbing section at walmart. I'm not sure what the ratio is though a picture of the solder and flux is on my philips head earrings instructable. Don't forget to post your pictures.

[astrong0]

Yes, i completely agree with you i must also know for i have want to make a salamander from steel dowling!! ah the skills learned from drama class.

[mitch and sean]

Drama? 0_0

[astrong0]

ya i was doing the lights for a play at my school and that was one of the lines in it......except for the salamander part. So no i was never in drama. do you not care for drama?

[mitch and sean]

No I do care I just didn't think u learn that stuff in drama

[astrong0]

it was more of "by chance" that i heard it.

[chaitanyak]

this is one of my favourites in the metal work diys!

[Mrballeng]

Thanks a million.

[janemermaid]

This is a really gorgeous thing, thanks for posting it! Are you making any more? would you ship me one?

[Mrballeng]

I hadn't planned on making more. This was a specific gift for someone. Give me an idea, what's specific to you?

[astrong0]

Also, very well done instructable, clear and easy to understand.

[cwix09]

What kind of torch did you use? I dont have one and I was wondering what cheap alternatives i might be able to use...
Thanks!

[Mrballeng]

This particular torch came from the plumbing section at wal-mart. $15.00

[saraed]

WOW!!!

[pbecker83]

Very cool! And you make it look so simple. Great job!

[bajablue]

wow... that is so beautiful!

[Greasetattoo]

Your a Master, my friend!

GREAT work!