Silver inlay pins

[barebackjack]

Ive been looking for pins to use in nickel and silver inlays. Track carries brass pin stock, but nothing for nickel or silver.
I used some "silver" brads (not so much) for an inlay on my GPR that look like crap after you file finish everything. I really want an invisible pin for silver inlays.

Would silver ribbon for wire inlays work, or is it to soft?

What do you all use?

Thanks
Boone

 

[Roy]

I use silver wire(round). I hold it with pliers with the end pointing down and heat it with a torch untill it starts to form a bead. Then I quench it in water. This will form a small head to hold the inlay.

 

[George F.]

Muzzleloaders Builders Supply carries German silver inlay nails. For silver you'll have to make your own.

 

[Frank/Pa]

I have used small stainless wood screws. Lightly countersink the inlay, screw it down tight, and file the head flush with the inlay. In most cases you can't even see it.

 

[spitpatch]

I just finished my first true build. I used gorilla glue on the silver inlays roughing up the back side.So I have a question, Did I mess up?? They sure look good. You have to be careful not to get any glue on the wood just outside the inlay or the stain wont take, which I found out and ended up with some extra work. My two cents worth. Jim

 

[Zonie]

"...So I have a question, Did I mess up?? ..."
__________________________

Well, yes and no.
The glue will probably hold the inlays in for 1-50 years but eventually they will pop out when the glue bond weakens.

If you want the inlays to stay installed for the next 150 years, you might think about installing some little pins, screws or nails thru them.

zonie

 

[barebackjack]

German silver nails at MBS...check.

Where do you get silver wire from?

The inlay on my GPR was done with a stainless screw (at least the package said stainless steel). Countersunk it in, filed and sanded with the inlay finish.....looked baaaaad, sticks out like a sore thumb.

Also, for copper rivets, does anybody use electrical wiring, like a heavy gauge for general wiring purposes?

Thanks

 

[Roy]

I get my silver wire from a jewelry supply and yes I use heavy copper wire to make rivets. :thumbsup:

 

[Zonie]

I've used copper wire to make rivets too. It works very nicely.

As far as things "sticking out like a sore thumb" remember, with things like this a person can either try to hide or mask the object, or "celebrate" it.
In other words make it the center of attraction.

An example that comes to mind is a silver (or steel) screw head in the center of a brass inlay.
It looks out of place until a few radiating lines are engraved from it. Then, it suddenly looks like a "sun" or if the inlay is a daisy it could be the center of the flower.
Things like short straight lines are pretty easy to engrave even by a first timer.

zonie