Introduction: Teardrop Pendant
Valentine's Day is just around the corner.
Step 1: Flatten a Nickel
Take a nickel and hammer it out. Make sure to hammer on a smooth surface with a smooth faced hammer. Other wise you'll end up with deep gouges that take alot of sanding to remove. The smoother the coin is in this stage the less you will have to sand in another.
Step 2: Cut the Shape Out
Use tin snips or metal shears to cut out the shape. It may be eaisier to hold the disc with a pair of pliers while you make the cuts.
Step 3: Convex the Shape
Find a piece of wood. Then find a convex shape. In this case I used the ball section from the spindle of a headboard. You could use a spoon or the head of a carriage bolt too.
Take the convex shape and place it on the piece of wood. Use a moderate blow with a hammer to indent the wood with the convex shape. I rubbed black crayon on the depression to show you guys how the wood took on the shape.
Once that is done, take your cut piece and place it between the wood and your convex tool. Use a moderate blow with a hammer. Keep at it until the metal becomes convex. It should only take a few blows.
Step 4: Shape
Using a rotary tool, shape the teardrop. !CAUTION! this gets hot! I used my drill press with a sanding attachment.
Step 5: Form the Eyelet
Take some vice grips and clamp a drill bit on the edge of the teardrop. Use light blows from a hammer to shape the loop.
Next, shape the eyelet into the teardrop.
Step 6: Soften the Edges
Sand or file the edges down. This helps the teardrop look more like a droplet and less like a hammered nickel.
I used a sanding disc on my drill press but you could use a file, sand paper, or rotary tool.
Step 7: Polish
Starting with 500 grit sand paper start smoothing out the teardrop. I found it eaisier to place the sand paper on a piece of carpet and rub the teardrop on it.
Move to 2000 grit sand paper to further smooth it out.
Finish with a polishing wheel and polishing compound.
Step 8: Gift It
Happy Valentine's Day, Birthday, Mother's day or just because.
118 Comments
12 years ago on Introduction
I want to Engrave a treble clef into the front, does any body have a suggestion on how to go about it? I have a Dremal and a bench grinder. I 'm looking for techniques here
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
If anyone wants to add a design to the front you might be better off etching it on before you start the polishing process.An easy way to do this is using peroxide and vinegar(equal parts) and salt (Lots of salt. Rock salt is great ,but table salt will work) Heat it up ,keep it warm on something like a hot plate. to get the design etched out (NOT RAISED) color the whole teardrop back and front using a sharpie ,or nail polish making sure you get the edges too. The scratch a CLEF design where you want it ( for example c/o WHittVT) using something pointy like a nail or strong pin etc. (or whatever design you want). Place the teardrop glass jar with your liquid mixture. Use tongs or connect a string to it beforehand to pull it out . keep checking till it is deeply etched as you would like it. Rinse it well with water. then follow the rest of the 'ible as far as polishing it. PS the liquid can be used room temp but seems to work faster when warmed up. Dispose of the liquid in toilet and flush repeatedly a few times. good luck! great ible!!
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
This takes practice but it's do-able. Print out the right size treble clef onto computer paper. Cut it out and super glue the image onto the pendant. Use a diamond burr bit to gently remove the treble clef image until you've engraved it. Remove the glued on paper with light sand paper and continue to clean up the image with the burr. Good luck! Don't forget to post a picture.
9 years ago on Introduction
you must really hate nickels I count at least five ibles that use nickels lol anyway my fiancé loves this one but I'm gonna use pennies
10 years ago on Step 8
could you imprint a design like on the basketball cufflinks......except a little more fancier?
10 years ago on Step 8
Nice! going to find time to make one or two.
10 years ago on Introduction
Where did you hammer out the nickel? Like, what kind of environment. I tried doing it in a basement with a penny, and I only managed to get it slightly flatter and slightly larger before I couldn't take the ringing in my ears and was afraid to chip a hole in the concrete floor.
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
In order to flatten a coin you have to hammer it between two surfaces that are harder then the coin itself. The hammer is one surface. I use an old sledge hammer head for the other hard surface. Conrete will just absorb the impacts from the hammer blows. Don't forget to wear ear and eye protection.
11 years ago on Introduction
thank you very much for the tutorial.
Here I show my earring drop, I hope you like it
Best regards from mexico. thanks
12 years ago on Introduction
Thanks SO MUCH for this instructable! While mine didnt come out quite as perfect as yours did, for my forst attempt it turned out pretty good! Hopefully my friend will like it when she gets it!
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
My attempt
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
Here is a picture of my friend wearing it
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
Might help if I actually uploaded it
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Awesome! Thanks for posting a picture. And thanks for the heads up. You should check out what this guy is doing.
http://www.thecoinsmith.com/THECOINSMITH/HOME.html
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
WOW, that is amazing!
11 years ago on Introduction
how long would it take to make this
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
About an hour.
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
what year coin should i use
11 years ago on Introduction
dose any one know what year and kind of coin to use
thanks
11 years ago on Introduction
When you have a hammer.. you make excellent jewelry with it (Your subconscious quote!)