Silver wire inlay

[user 52142]

Howdy, Going to be adding some silver wire inlay to a stock I'm refinishing. It's a light wood so will be staining darker. I am guessing that it's best to get all the wire inlay done before you stain. But will that discolor the silver ?

Thanks in advance
Bill

 

[dave_person]

Hi,
No.

dave

 

[user 52142]

Hi,
No.

dave

Thanks Dave

 

[Trapper Scott]

Where did you get the silver wire/ribbon from? I'm wanting to try my hand at wire inlay on my next build.

 

[user 52142]

Howdy. I picked it up at ...
https://www.muzzleloaderbuilderssupply.com/

25270 - .010 x 36” Fine silver flat wire inlay​

.010 fine silver wire for inlay, dead soft. The height of the wire averages .050 to .055 and comes in 36" lengths.

I made my own tools to inlay the silver wire. I'll post a pic of them when I get home.

 

[Trapper Scott]

Howdy. I picked it up at ...
https://www.muzzleloaderbuilderssupply.com/

25270 - .010 x 36” Fine silver flat wire inlay​

.010 fine silver wire for inlay, dead soft. The height of the wire averages .050 to .055 and comes in 36" lengths.

I made my own tools to inlay the silver wire. I'll post a pic of them when I get home.

Thank you. I've been reading about it in the book "The Art of Building A Pennsylvania Rifle" and wanted to give it a try on a piece of scape wood.

 

[user 52142]

Very easy to make the tools required with exacto blades and handles. YouTube has some good tutorials on how to make them.

 

[user 52142]

Here is the set I made. They are shorter shafts, but to me they are more comfortable and easy to control.

 

[Comfortably_Numb]

I've done a bunch of it. Stain after you get all your wire in. I usually buy 6 X 6 sheet silver from Rio Grand and cut my own silver strips with a pair of scissors. I used both brass and silver wire on this one. The brass is more difficult to work with as it work hardens so fast. I have to anneal the brass wire after I cut it from the sheet.

 

[user 52142]

Thank you very much for the post and pic. That looks great !
What thickness do you like using on the silver ?

 

[user 48702]

Thunderbird Supply in Gallup, NM, is another good source for sterling silver and other metals in wire, plate, and forms.
Thunderbird Silver Wire

 

[user 52142]

Thunderbird Supply in Gallup, NM, is another good source for sterling silver and other metals in wire, plate, and forms.
Thunderbird Silver Wire

Thanks for the information, I will definitely check them out.

 

[user 48702]

Thanks for the information, I will definitely check them out.

It is a great site for metals, findings, turquoise, and tools. This is the outfit that the majority of the Navajo and Hopi silversmiths buy their raw material and tools from. I have been buying from them for years and finally had the opportunity to stop by their headquarters and store back in 2000, simply amazing. In their showroom, they have a clearance section and they said from time to time they have damaged sterling wire rolls and sheet, that are dinged or damaged. They never list the damaged metal on their site, so if you are ever in their area, it is a worthwhile stop. They are right on the reservation in Gallup, NM. Forgot to mention, they also carry "Grobet USA" Liver of Sulfur in a gel formulation that is used for oxidizing silver, copper and brass/bronze, to give various shades of patina for a well used antique finish. Just mix with water according to the instructions.

 

[Comfortably_Numb]

Thank you very much for the post and pic. That looks great !
What thickness do you like using on the silver ?

I usually use .010 or .013

 

[LSB]

I've done a bunch of it. Stain after you get all your wire in. I usually buy 6 X 6 sheet silver from Rio Grand and cut my own silver strips with a pair of scissors. I used both brass and silver wire on this one. The brass is more difficult to work with as it work hardens so fast. I have to anneal the brass wire after I cut it from the sheet.

Very nice work indeed!!!

 

[Tom A Hawk]

I also buy sheet stock ( a tip from Dave Person ) and cut strips. You can get sheet in different thicknesses allowing for varying the wire inlay for best effect.

 

[dave_person]

Hi,
Mike's (Comfortably Numb) work is fantastic. American makers tended to use thicker ribbon (it is really ribbon rather then wire) 0.008-0.012" thick and that is fine. However, on British or European guns the thickness is usually much less, 0.004-0.006". For that thin wire, you really have to buy flat sheet and cut out the ribbons using shears.

Then just pinch the ribbon between 2 coarse files, pulling it through with pliers and it will be straightened and scored by the files, ready for use.

dave

 

[Comfortably_Numb]

Some folks insist on filing the edge on one side into a knife edge to assist in driving the wire into the wood. I have never found it needed. Some folks seem to think glue is need to hold the ribbon in place as well....I don't know why that is. Also, your wire job is only as good as your design is. Make sure you have everything right before you stab in. Also, American work in the old days didn't just put a squiggle or two off of carving like you see on a lot of carving today.

 

[user 52142]

Great big "THANK YOU" to everyone for the great advice, information and wisdom. I am getting ready to start my next silver wire inlays, will post some pics.

 

[frankie]

I would take the advice of Dave-Person