Anyone interested in mosaic pins?

Chiro75

Chiro75

Joined
Feb 4, 1999
Messages
5,786
Those mosaic pins I made turned out really well, so far, and I was playing with an idea...I'd like to experiment with more designs and colors, but the materials aren't all that cheap, and a foot of pin material for each pattern is way more than I'll ever use. I have a couple weeks off school and work in a month or so, and was wondering if people here would be interested in maybe buying the pins I make at the cost of the materials, and a little shipping? I wouldn't stand to make anything on it. I just want someone to be able to use the stuff I make, basically!
The ones I did came out really nicely, and so far I haven't detected any problems with them as far as strength or bubbles. I used Testor's model paint to tint the epoxy (Devcon 2 Ton), and the color was nice, too. Anyway, I have access to a variety of tubes and rods in brass, music wire (high carbon steel), and aluminum. I used aluminum and brass with red eopxy and they are pretty cool. Well, if you are interested in getting some pretty expensive pins for the cost of materials, I would be willing to do the pattern how ever you like, with whatever colors you want. I wouldn't be able to guarantee the work 100% free of defects, but I don't forsee problems with the technique I am using. Anyway, just curious! On the other hand, if you have assorted scraps of tubing and rods left over, I would gladly pay postage to get them to experiment on, too, which would lower waste and costs on my part. Whatever it takes! Thanks!
PS- I also realize I shouldn't post commercial messages, but since I am not trying to make any $$$ on this, I thought maybe it would be okay. Also, all the stock I have available is about 12 inches long. If you wanted to split half with someone else, I would cut the material and send it out to two parties with no problem.
 
I think that there would be an interest, mainly because some knife supply catalogs do sell mosaic pins, but they are really expensive. If you have a good product and a reasonable price I would be interested. A couple of nice pins is all it takes to really dress up a knife. Please e-mail me with any prices that you have.

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A Knife is no more than an Iron Tooth

 
Chiro75-
I am interested let me know the details of costs etc. I've made a few but they were only one inches long,I had to pack the epoxy into the pins It took quite awhile .So yes I would like some.
Steve45
 
Well, nothing is certain yet, guys, but the closer I get to my vacation and when I realize how much time I really have, then I'll see how feasible it looks. I also need to experiment with some color options on the epoxy, too, before then, to see how accurate the colors come through with my dyeing procedure, etc. I will keep you posted with other messages here. As a ROUGH estimate, I made a 12" long pin with a 1/4" brass tube and an aluminum square tube set into that. There was one tiny brass rod halfway between each corner for a total of four (between the square and round tubes), and then there was a solid brass rod inside the square tube. So, there were two tubes and five rods, and total price was about 1$-$1.50 per rod/tube. Then I had to add in other supplies (brush, small mixing container for the epoxy, paint for color, etc), which totalled about another $2.50-$3.00. So, as a ROUGH (repeat, ROUGH) estimate, I would recommend assuming $3 as starting fee, plus an average of $1.25 per tube or rod.
Using this basic formula, a flower design pin of 12" would be roughly $3 + $1.25 per rod or tube. Let's say we decided on one two tubes and five rods, and you'd have $3 + ($1.25 x 7)= $11.75 plus shipping (no more than $3.20 which is Priority Mail. So, $14.95 would get you a 12" long pin to your doorstep. That is a heck of a lot cheaper than what TKS or similar charges, although theirs may be a little better quality (I've never seen them, so I don't know!).
Actually, I'd say that estimate may even be a tad high, as some of the tubes/rods are only 90 cents, and you could ship 5-day surface for a couple bucks. Anyway, would it be better to make a few designs and post pictures and sell them at my same cost, or would you rather make up your own design? I think a friend could scan pics that I could upload to my webpage, so that shouldn't be too big a problem. If that's the way you want to do it, though, I'll have to get busy real soon as it takes a few days to take pictures, make the stuff, etc. I'd rather do them "custom" as it would be a better challenge!
 
I'll see what I can do about pictures. I don't have access to a digital camera, and plain film is a little pricy at this phase in the game, plus it takes a while to use a roll and have friends scan stuff for me. I'll do my best, though. Steve45 brought up a good point...he asked if he could send me the rods/tubes in the pattern he wanted with color requests for epoxy and if I would construct them. That is an option I didn't even consider, and works great for me! Doing it this way with Priority Mail shipping back to you is under $9 unless you request a color that requires mixing of two others ($1 per color). Hopefully Steve45 will send me some tubing and I can get to work, then he can leave his impression here...
 
I'd be interested in some pin material also. I'd like to see some pictures if you can get them. There is dye for sale to dye epoxy and a little of it goes a long way. Most of the knife suppliers catalogs have some.
Tom
 
Chiro75
I will send them out Friday May 14th
About $20.00 For two sets 12 inches
aam I correct? thanks
Steve45
 
Works for me. You have my address. If it comes out cheaper, I'll slip the change into the box when I return the pins to you. Make sure you let me know what color you want the epoxy to be, too. I'll hear from you soon!
 
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