DIY Brass Bullet Cufflinks

by watch me DIY it

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Intro: DIY Brass Bullet Cufflinks

Here's another cool Instructable where I show how you can reuse spent bullet casings and make an awesome pair of cufflinks, which make an excellent Groomsmen or Father's Day gift!

The great thing about this project is that it can be done with simple tools! Take a look at the video to see how I do it. :-)

NOTE: As with other bullet or metal projects, please use PPE (Proper Protective Equipment). You wouldn't want to risk cutting yourself or getting a piece of metal stuck in your eye! Safety first!

STEP 1: Materials and Tools

Here are the materials and tools you'll need:

Materials

  • Two .45 caliber bullet casings
  • Two 12 mm cufflink blanks
  • E6000 glue

Tools

  • Tin Snips
  • 220 Grit Sandpaper
  • Rotary Tool
  • Sanding Drum
  • Vise or pliers (to grip casing)
  • Polishing wheel and compound (optional)

STEP 2: Trimming the Bullet Casings

This is a technique I came up with out of necessity because I don't have expensive equipment such as a metal lathe.

Start by cutting into the casing at an angle and keep working your way down as far as you can go to the base of the casing. See the pictures or video for a better visual.

STEP 3: Sanding Off Excess

With the sanding drum, sand the casing wall that couldn't be trimmed with the tin snips. Go as far down until you reach the base of the casing.

NOTE: Try to keep the base as flat as possible, as this will ensure an even contact surface between the casing and the cufflink blank.

STEP 4: Smooth Out Casing Base

Place a piece of 220 grit sanding paper on a flat surface and sand the base of the casing to ensure it's flat.

STEP 5: Prep Cufflink Blank

Using the same technique as the previous step, roughen up the surface of the cufflink blank. This will help it make a better bond when the E6000 is applied.

STEP 6: Assemble

Add a couple drops of E6000 to each surface, wait two minutes (per manufacturer instructions), and then put them together. It's best to let them dry overnight to ensure a strong bond.

STEP 7: Polish

This step is optional, but it makes the final product look so much better!

I used a polishing wheel and compound that came with a Dremel brand kit found on clearance at Lowes.

STEP 8: Final Product!

With these steps, you'll be prepared to make your own bullet cufflinks! They're perfect for Father's Day, Weddings, or gun enthusiasts, or if you prefer to skip the DIY part, I have this and other bullet items for sale in my Etsy shop!

Etsy: MyWearableCreations

YouTube: DIYgiveaways

Facebook: DIYgiveaways

Instagram: @DIYgiveaways

Twitter: @DIY_giveaways

72 Comments

rav527 6 years ago

Hello

I need your help with my sculpture project and since you had worked with bullet casing in the past, i thought i message you for help.

I have attached a photo of the project i m trying to replicate for a centerpiece on display for my home coffee table. I am using swagelok stainless steel tubing bent in the shape of 8 for the skeleton. Have a tuff time, gluing spent bullet casing to it. Please point me in the right direction. Thanks a ton

watch me DIY it 6 years ago

Oh, wow! That's awesome!

I don't have a lot of experience working with metals, but for something like that (trying to attach casings to a bent steel tube), I would try using some sort of epoxy to make sure it's affixed strongly. Best of luck an I hope you can share a picture after you're finished with your project! info@diygiveaways.com

kaullrich 7 years ago

Where can i buy cufflink blanks?

joecutolo 8 years ago

I made a couple sets of these. .308, 9mm, .223, .40SW. The glue did not hold well for any of them. I ended up using JB weld. I used soft squeeze clamps, and let the epoxy cure while the clamp held it tight. Also, I found that using a pipe cutter and just taking my time, was way easier than the first ones I did as described in the instructions.

Raitis 8 years ago

You have a Dremel, how was that bad for cutting instead? :)

I mean, clamp it in a drill, turn the drill on and cut with a Dremel where you want - name it a DIY lathe. A nice fine line which is straight. Less sanding and all that. You can even polish it beforehand.

Silver2107 8 years ago

I have a small tubing cutter that might be perfect for this.

buck2217 8 years ago

I originally tried cutting the ones I make with a tubing cutter, they are very difficult to turn as the bullet is quite small and distorts easily. I found putting them in a chuck and rotating (slowly) while holding a hacksaw against them worked far better. I was using live 9mm (gulp) and didn't kill myself - this also gave me 2 usable ends (a primer and a bullet end from each bullet

Too Many Projects 8 years ago

I'm sorry, but why would you use live rounds? Even if you manage to separate the two sections you now have a live primer that you want to hang on each wrist? Maybe I'm over reacting but please use spent rounds for this type of crafting.

buck2217 8 years ago

I used live rounds as I wanted the "lead end" undamaged, and the chances of setting of a primer accidently are tiny ( though I discharge them with a nail and hammer post cutting in any case)

jmood 8 years ago

I LOVE this. As a retired police officer, I have been looking for this sort of cufflink, now I can make them. THANK YOU!

Anyone needing spent brass let me know. I have plenty of .45 ACP (the type pictured) and the venerable 30.06 Springfield round as well. (.380 wouldn't hold a cuff on...) You can often get spent brass, matching types of course from local gun ranges for a song, or a few cents each

I'd suggest a fine bladed hacksaw drawn ever so slowly to shorten the cases, merely a suggestion. Your method should work quite well, as you showed.

Thanks again.

buck2217 8 years ago

I make 9mm, .303, 7.62, 5.56 and on one memorable set 50cal (they are a bit big though!

watch me DIY it 8 years ago

Thanks, jmood.

Hopefully you get a chance to make these soon! Father's Day is just around the corners! ;-)

jmood 8 years ago

An ingenious use for a worn out or cracked casing, Once I'm done reloading it, I'll make these. Thanks again.

GigiG1 8 years ago

I LOVE this project idea. Can anybody make this for sale? I don't know the first thing about bullets and I'd probably shoot my eye out trying, but I have a good friend who is a retired Army Lieutenant who has a birthday coming up. Would make a great gift. How many hours does this project take?

buck2217 8 years ago

Can probably arrange to send you some, if you are interested

watch me DIY it 8 years ago

Hi GigiG1,
I actually have them for sale in my Etsy store. The link is in the final step description. Glad you like them!

GigiG1 8 years ago

I tried to but all I got was a link to a woman selling something else.

HELP! I want to see your work!

Kittie
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