Mosaic pins

[hellgap]

I finally found some pin stock material to make mosaic pins and i could use a little help . I am going to make simple patterns for pins and lanyard tubes. With out pictures ill explain the best i can on the variopus ones im making . First one is a 1/4 od, brass thin wall tube with a 7/32 square tube. its going to be a lanyard tube.What do i fill the sqaure tube with to keep the epoxy from filling the area i dont want filled. Also whats the best epoxy for doing this ??? How do and what do i add to get color??? Also would like to know whats the best to inject the epocy into the tubes. I have no vaccum but if i heat the tube slightly im sure the glue should run fast. I would like to have black and red for color any ideas please let me know. Oh I also have some micro tubes that are 1/16 od and i would assume you need a vaccume to get the epocy inside let me know thanks kellyw

 

[artmichalek]

You can probably use parafin to fill any tubes you don't want epoxy in and melt it out later. Also, without a vacuum it's better to work cold than hot. If you stand the tube up in a freezer overnight, you'll slow the cure down enough for most of the air bubbles to rise up. If you heat epoxy up it won't run much more quickly, but it will harden in a hurry. Marine grade epoxy usually holds up the best to uv light, and any boat building shop that sells it should carry dyes as well.

 

[Alden Sherrodd]

Kelly, I use artist's pigment acrylic paint to dye the epoxy. It takes very little, usually a large drop on the end of a toothpick. I like 30 minute epoxy for ample work time. I only make the mosaic pins slightly longer than the handle thickness. I put together the knife with the hollow tubes for the pins, cut the pieces a little longer than the tube. I put a piece of masking tape on the bottom leaving it sagging down to let the pieces extend past the tube a bit. I mix up the epoxy and dribble it into the tube. I place the pieces into the tube, making sure to adjust them carefully. Let this set up then trim off the extra length, then finish the handle.
I don't know about the empty square tube, but it shouldn't be hard. Just fill it with paper or something. If it was round it would be easy to clean out with a drill bit. But I don't think it would be a problem.
As for the small tube, only the ends need to be filled.
There is no need to make longer pins unless you are going to sell them.
Have fun
Alden

 

[hellgap]

Alden thanks so much i appreciate you speedy response . I am making very simple pins and tubes but now im thinking i can make more complex ones if i made them shorter. I assume you are using just plain slow setting epoxy. I have a bunch of artist type acrilic paints my wife used for podge. Im sure if its acrilic thats the main thing.

 

[hellgap]

Alden some of the bottles even say artist acrylic paint thanks so much im tring a bunch as we speak . I filled the end with paper towel and dripped some wax to fill the end im sure that will be good. kellyw

 

[fishface5]

cool, I came back this evening intending to post this same questions, and voila! It's already here!