Antiquing coin conchos

[Beehive]

I need to order more Chicago screws. Ive narrowed down my antiquing methods for repeated results.

All coins pictured are US quarters 25cent. The one on the braided strap is without any antiquing.  The other two have it. It really brings out the detail of the coin. Verses washed out bright nickel, to where it looks like a plain domed disk. 

I used regular old silver solder meant for copper pipes.  I have never had a concho come apart or fall off using plumbing solder. 

 

 

Edited March 3 by Beehive

[Mulesaw]

26 minutes ago, Beehive said:

I need to order more Chicago screws. Ive narrowed down my antiquing methods for repeated results.

All coins pictured are US quarters 25cent. The one on the braided strap is without any antiquing.  The other two have it. It really brings out the detail of the coin. Verses washed out bright nickel, to where it looks like a plain domed disk. 

I used regular old silver solder meant for copper pipes.  I have never had a concho come apart or fall off using plumbing solder. 

They look SO good!!

What do you use for antiquing? I am getting tempted to try it out based on those beautiful conchos you just made.

Brgds Jonas

[Beehive]

46 minutes ago, Mulesaw said:

They look SO good!!

What do you use for antiquing? I am getting tempted to try it out based on those beautiful conchos you just made.

Brgds Jonas

Thank You.

It's black oxide from overheating the coin. I used a propane torch on low. Cleaned with acetone before heating it (or your finger prints will get burned in). Heat it with the flame. Removing the flame to see how dark it has become. It won't change color until you remove the flame. It'll continue to look bright as it's heated.

 It's a fairly durable finish. Not easy to remove. 

Once it's done and cooled off. The rear of the coin is cleaned bright and a Chicago screw is soldered to the back. It takes less heat to melt the solder then it does to blacking it. I used a rag and Simichrome to polish the high spots. Leaving the oxide in all the little crevices.

Edited March 3 by Beehive

[Beehive]

Here's the same treatment on a dollar coin. It's nowhere near as dark but it does bring out detail.

 

 

[AlZilla]

Very interesting. Another thing on my list to try...

[Beehive]

I ordered two different sets of Chicago screws. Two different lengths. 

 

These Chicago screws looked machined and not pressed out. The pressed out have a rounded face on the head. The machined have a flat face with a step. They will work but I might have to shape the heads for a better fit. Might not have to. 

I'm probably going to test one after it's soldered. If I can't remove the Chicago screw beating it with a hammer. There will be no worries about a concho falling apart. 

[Beehive]

Here's what a national park quarter looks like. The machined Chicago screws work just fine. I only needed 4 conchos at this time. 

 

 

 

 

[Mulesaw]

They look incredible!
Do you use them on belts for securing the buckle, or as ornamentation? 

Brgds Jonas

[Beehive]

3 minutes ago, Mulesaw said:

They look incredible!
Do you use them on belts for securing the buckle, or as ornamentation? 

Brgds Jonas

 

Decoration. Domed quarters are a good size on a 1.5" wide belt. Not too big and not too small. I recently ordered some Berry conchos off of Esty. Tourist grade casted pot metal. They broke me from ordering from Esty. 

I don't have my older examples but I've put a twisted wire border on domed Mexican coins. One I soldered to a brass Zippo. Given to my son. One of my best conchos. 

The others are lost to time (ex-wife got a ranger belt. Steel buckle, conchos. Fifth wedding anniversary. Top grade craftsmanship)

These conchos really need a border. But that's heavy duty. Soldering to where you can't see the solder is a trick. 

These conchos are going on my belt. Let me take a picture of the buckle. Then you'll see why I needed them antique. Brb...

[Beehive]

The billets are dark chocolate.  The main strap is saddle tan. The buckle is rust brown. Brass and copper. Bright nickel conchos will look like tiny hubcaps with the color combo. 

Hence, that's why I needed them dark. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Beehive]

Here's one compared to the color of the belt. Now imagine it all together with the buckle pictured.

 

[Mulesaw]

1 minute ago, Beehive said:

The billets are dark chocolate.  The main strap is saddle tan. The buckle is rust brown. Brass and copper. Bright nickel conchos will look like tiny hubcaps with the color combo. 

Hence, that's why I needed them dark. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Darn that looks good!!

I feel like I cheated on my last belt using a sewing machine to make the stitching :-) Hand stitched just look better!.

The copper/brass edging detail is really well thought out and executed. and the HF detail looks like it was glued on. Makins a silver soldering with nothing flowing out is not an easy task!

I am going to take some of those Candian coins from the ship with me home, our own low value coins don't have any animals on them. 

I am looking forward to seing the finished belt.

Brgds Jonas

[Beehive]

6 minutes ago, Mulesaw said:

Darn that looks good!!

I feel like I cheated on my last belt using a sewing machine to make the stitching :-) Hand stitched just look better!.

The copper/brass edging detail is really well thought out and executed. and the HF detail looks like it was glued on. Makins a silver soldering with nothing flowing out is not an easy task!

I am going to take some of those Candian coins from the ship with me home, our own low value coins don't have any animals on them. 

I am looking forward to seing the finished belt.

Brgds Jonas

Thank You, Sir'

You can buy what they call junk silver. Worn out silver coins. They're sold by the bag. Back when-when. Conchos were silver. Real silver. Then they went silver plated brass. 

There's no way I'm installing plated, pot metal cast on my own personal stuff. Ugh, No way.