Pick Axe and Shovel Pendants

by Mrballeng in Workshop > Metalworking

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Pick Axe and Shovel Pendants

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So my latest adventure in jewelry involves making items from a persons profession.  These two pendants come from what a coal miner might use. The pick is made from nail and wood screw. The shovel is made from a ½” square of sheet metal, section of coat hanger, and a piece of 16 gage wire.

I started by heating a nail and hammering it towards the shape of a pick axe. I then refined the shape with a sanding disc on my drill press. After I had the shape I wanted I used a bearing punch to flatten a section in the middle of the pick. A carriage bolt and hammer was used to curve it. I drilled a hole in it and then used a Dremel to expand the hole. Next I took a wood screw and hammered it towards the shape of a handle. Again I used the sanding attachment to refine the shape.
To flare the top of the handle I clamped it in vise grips and hammered on it. Afterwards I soldered the pick to the handle. Hobby files further cut the shape in.

For the shovel I rough cut the spade portion out of 22 gage sheet metal. I then cut a section of coat hanger and hammered one end flat. On the other end I notched a saddle for the handle to sit in. I made the handle out of 22 gage wire. After soldering I used the sanding disk to finish up the shape of the spade.

Both pieces were then polished by 400, 1000, 2000, grit sand paper followed by a buffing wheel.