Coin cutting question

[ThomH]

So I thought I would try my hand at coin cutting. I decided to try making a pendant as a gift for my niece's birthday. The wife designed a pattern and I went at it.

After cutting, I didn't like the undulating surface of the piece, maybe caused by where I placed the pattern on the face of the quarter. So I attempted to flattened the front and back of the cut piece. As you can see, it didn't go so well for the front. I filed too far down and the copper is now showing. So I was thinking of dipping it in some form of silver solution. 

My question to the coin cutters of the village, should I dip it or dump it? If dipping can salvage the coin, what's the name of the silver dipping solution I can use to make it completely silver again?

[jollyred]

I would think the best thing to do is ask a local jeweler.  Also, they may be able to plate it for a reasonable cost.  You could also check on getting discs of silver to do the next one.  I have no idea what they would cost.

I do like the design.

Tom

[kywoodmaster]

Check with @hotshothe is a master coin cutter.

[ThomH]

 

Jollyred,

Steve Good was right. Women are a lot better at designing jewelry than most men. Kudos to the wife. 

[ThomH]

Perhaps I will give these a try before ruining more coins.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AFANKRK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_VRJA2G7Y1CKJ7TA3B8BW?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

[kmmcrafts]

11 minutes ago, ThomH said:

Perhaps I will give these a try before ruining more coins.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AFANKRK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_VRJA2G7Y1CKJ7TA3B8BW?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

I was just going to suggest this.. I used to do hand stamped pendants as a craft in another life, LOL.. Actually seen a hand stamped pendant I wanted to buy the wife but it was pricey at $60 with no chain so I bought $170 in supplies so I could make it myself.. seemed like a good deal at the time. I think I went through $120 in blanks before i got one that the letters half lined up with one another and spaced somewhat right.. Takes a bit more expertise than I thought.. wonder how many people do that with scroll work.. I do enjoy a challenge and like learning new things.. I learned here that it's easier and cheaper to let the pros stamp my pendants and that I suck at it..   

[ThomH]

Well, I do find it to be a bit more challenging than anticipated. But that's only because I haven't learned to do it right. I have to remind myself that the pros produced very amateurish work too, in the beginning.  But it's good learning to do something new and learning something only a few know to do. Now how long the knowledge remains, well, time has a way of stealing that from us some times.

[Ceric ME]

8 hours ago, ThomH said:

Perhaps I will give these a try before ruining more coins.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AFANKRK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_VRJA2G7Y1CKJ7TA3B8BW?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

I like to point out that at that cost unless there the size of 50 cent pieces, it be cheaper to cut quarters.

This is on my list to try with book cutting.  I have the books to cut I just haven't pulled the trigger yet.

Also I like the bronze around the edge.

Edited May 11, 2021 by Ceric ME

[Dan]

I'd scrap it. Well, save it but make another one. Only because the more you make the better you'll get. That is also on my bucket list.

[merlin]

No answer to your wee problem, but you made it and it ain't to bad I'm sure she wood still love and wear it....cose uncle made it...

[ThomH]

Ceric ME, I decided to compute the cost after I replied. Yeah, you are right. The cost for each piece is more the 25 cents. 

Dan, you hit it out the park. I went to piece number 3 but tried a different cut out, same design. Hated it but found cutting circles has come a bit easier. Learning the feel of the saw, the tone of the blade and the feed rate all come to play. Done right and a tight cut can be smooth as butter.

Merlin, I believe you nailed it. She's the type of kid who enjoys the simple things. Nonetheless, it will have to make the cut. I shaped the 2nd piece a bit more. This has given me a little experience in using spaghetti string sand paper. Boy, it's amazing what a thin piece of sand paper can do in tight spaces. It's all fun! Will eventually post my final piece. Thanks for the feedback guys!

[hotshot]

For me, I don't cut anything I'm afraid to ruin . . and I have a stack of ruined coins I've amassed over the years.  When I first started coin cutting, I also ground down the surface of the coins, I no longer do that.  Most of the time, I leave the surface of the coins as is, because people like the novelty of the cut coin.  Once you flatten it, if you can't tell it was once a coin, it loses some of that novelty.

If I do want a flat surface, I now use a rolling mill, which leaves it very smooth.  You can also use a hammer, and smash it smooth, but the rollingmill is quick and gives a better result.

[ThomH]

You know, after filing down the surface of that one piece, I agree with you. Don't do it. Besides, starting over will sharpen your cutting skills and make you aware what not to do. Thanks for the insight.