View Full Version : Metal Buckles
Annie-Mei
03-14-2008, 05:10 PM
Im looking to make "metal" buckles for a Vest
See image:
http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m108/Arus808/bucks.jpg
It needs to be shiny metal, not dull looking.
About 3" W x 1.5" H
What would be your suggestions? I was thinking "tin" sheets, but I dont know where to get them.
vasher
03-14-2008, 05:43 PM
If you want working ones, try some of the those snap in backpack ones or seatbelt types with a plate of metal hooked on the top. Soda cans would be good, or you can go to a hardware store like Home Depot and grab some lightweight vents/ducts to cut out of. I'm not sure where you'd get plain sheets or easily cuttable tin...
Annie-Mei
03-14-2008, 08:29 PM
dont need "working" buckles. can be just the "metal" part, and im going to velcro it to stay on.
I went to home depot and looked at the aluminum sheeting they use for roofing. as nice as they are, they are too thick to cut and are really sharp.
Soda cans? but the inside of cans aren't really shiny. Im looking to get a "mirror" effect on the metal.
bigdog
03-14-2008, 09:13 PM
make it out of foam and cover it in aluminum foil>.>? yes it can be done to look really nice as well. or you could jus get some 7up or something in a can and polish the inside
bandXaided
03-14-2008, 09:22 PM
you have to be careful with aluminum foil tho, it wrinkles easily.
i would suggest teh duct/vent tape taht's silver and actually shiny (not silver duck tape) but that wrinkles easily too.
Thoras
03-14-2008, 10:42 PM
Vasher's suggestion reminded me of something that might work as well. In Canadian Tire up here, in the auto repair section, you can actually buy small sheets of steel, I believe made for do it yourself auto repairs.
If you get a fairly low gauge, it can be cut with heavy duty scissors or a pair of "aviation snips" that you can buy for a couple of dollars usually. I'd imagine other auto repair stores would sell similar small sheets. You'd probably have to do some grinding/buffing on them to get the mirror smooth finish though.
Sheet metal would be one way to go because cutting out bits that size is not too hard; I agree about the vent/muffler tape - it's my best friend. It will show up any imperfections in the surface it is covering but once you go over it with a popsicle stick or the back of a spoon, it hides any problems with the actual tape from wrinkles to overlapping edges. I've actually used it on metal swords I couldn't polish to make them shinier before.