SMP Logo
SM Publications
Silver Salon Forums - The premier site for discussing Silver.
SMP | Silver Salon Forums | SSF - Guidelines | SSF - FAQ | Silver Sales


The Silver Salon Forums
Since 1993
Over 11,793 threads & 64,769 posts !!

General Silver Forum



Silver Salon internal search
or

REGISTER (click here) How to Post Photos


customtitle open  SMP Silver Salon Forums
tlineopen  General Silver Forum
tline3open  Pen Clips

Post New Topic  Post A Reply
profile | register | preferences | faq | search

ForumFriend SSFFriend: Email This Page to Someone! next newest topic | next oldest topic
Author Topic:   Pen Clips
scogre

Posts: 2
Registered: Nov 2005

iconnumber posted 11-14-2005 04:57 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for scogre     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Hello,

I am new here, so take pity on me! I am a pen maker, and have reached the point where the metal pen componants available on the market just don't meet my needs anymore. I am designing some pieces to go on my pens and can come up with everything but the clips.

Pen clips need to be long and resilient, able to bend and spring back. Silver is an appropriate metal for the designs I'm working on right now, and I would like to cast my pieces to get the exact design. But I don't know enough about silver and it's properties to know if I can make a clip from cast silver that will work as a clip needs to work, and yet retain the look of a nice jewelry piece.

So, can I cast a piece about an inch and a half long, and about an eighth of an inch in diameter that will be stiff, yet flex enough to clip onto a shirt pocket, and spring back without too easily losing it's original shape? Would a particular alloy be needed to do this?

Thanks in advance!

Scott.

IP: Logged

FWG

Posts: 845
Registered: Aug 2005

iconnumber posted 11-14-2005 05:23 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for FWG     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Welcome! There are others who will probably speak to this as well, but I'll get the ball rolling. Silver can be used for such pieces, but not as simply as you might like. When cast, silver is very soft; it needs to be hardened to get that springy quality, usually by hammering. I would think the best approach would be to cast a piece with a desired end and some extra metal that can then be forged to form the clip body itself. The purer the silver, the softer it is, so for the best results you'd probably want to use a relatively low alloy (say, .800 fine rather than .925 -- the latter being the sterling standard). Then you can hammer it with a compound curve to further increase its springiness (although even a round wire can be a springy form, properly treated).

I've seen vintage pens with sterling clips that had good spring, even with the clip made from fairly thin metal. But it does take a bit of effort to make it come out right, and the key lies in the hardening.

IP: Logged

scogre

Posts: 2
Registered: Nov 2005

iconnumber posted 11-14-2005 06:02 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for scogre     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thanks FWG!

Hammering, huh? Probably hammering enough so that it wouldn't really do any good to cast an intricate design into the metal first? And after it's hardened would it be difficult to work a design into the metal? Hmmmm.

Are there other methods of hardening, such as through heating and cooling? I'm trying to get a feeling for how to approach the making of a functioning clip, and still retain the intregity of the metal used.

Some of my fellow penmakers tell me I should form the clip from steel and then have it plated. To do this I would need to harden the steel after forming, and then have it machined to the design I want, then plate it. If I can acheive the same effect using an alloy of silver, it would really be in keeping with the theme of the design I'm working on.

Thanks again!

Scott.

IP: Logged

swarter
Moderator

Posts: 2920
Registered: May 2003

iconnumber posted 11-14-2005 07:23 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for swarter     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Welcome to the Silver Forums. We have a few active silversmith members who may be able to address your concerns from experience, but be patient and keep checking - it may take a while for them to see your questions, as they, like most members, do not check in constantly.

IP: Logged

All times are ET

next newest topic | next oldest topic

Administrative Options: Close Topic | Archive/Move | Delete Topic
Post New Topic  Post A Reply
Hop to:


Ultimate Bulletin Board 5.46a


1. Public Silver Forums (open Free membership) - anyone with a valid e-mail address may register. Once you have received your Silver Salon Forum password, and then if you abide by the Silver Salon Forum Guidelines, you may start a thread or post a reply in the New Members' Forum. New Members who show a continued willingness to participate, to completely read and abide by the Guidelines will be allowed to post to the Member Public Forums.
Click here to Register for a Free password

2. Private Silver Salon Forums (invitational or $ donation membership) - The Private Silver Salon Forums require registration and special authorization to view, search, start a thread or to post a reply. Special authorization can be obtained in one of several ways: by Invitation; Annual $ Donation; or via Special Limited Membership. For more details click here (under development).

3. Administrative/Special Private Forums (special membership required) - These forums are reserved for special subjects or administrative discussion. These forums are not open to the public and require special authorization to view or post.


| Home | Order | The Guide to Evaluating Gold & Silver Objects | The Book of Silver
| Update BOS Registration | Silver Library | For Sale | Our Wants List | Silver Dealers | Speakers Bureau |
| Silversmiths | How to set a table | Shows | SMP | Silver News |
copyright © 1993 - 2022 SM Publications
All Rights Reserved.
Legal & Privacy Notices