making jewellery from old bike chains and other parts

BobtheBuilder
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making jewellery from old bike chains and other parts

Postby BobtheBuilder » Wed Oct 03, 2018 4:02 pm

Just wondering if anyone has ever made necklaces, bracelets, etc. out of old chains or other parts?

Any tips, references to websites, much appreciated!

Was thinking of making something with an old chain I replaced yesterday.

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Duck!
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Re: making jewellery from old bike chains and other parts

Postby Duck! » Wed Oct 03, 2018 4:37 pm

Not exactly jewellery, but a fella from my MTB club used to make bottle openers from old sprockets & chains. You need sprockets 32t or larger in order to fit over the bottle cap.
I had a thought, but it got run over as it crossed my mind.

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P!N20
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Re: making jewellery from old bike chains and other parts

Postby P!N20 » Wed Oct 03, 2018 8:41 pm

I tried to make some bracelets and necklaces out of old chains in my teens. The main problem I found was I could never get all of the grease out of the chain, so you’d always end up with black smudges on your skin. Plus there isn’t much flex in a chain, so they don’t sit around your neck very well.

The best application I’ve seen is a down tube shifter on a necklace. Simple.

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Mububban
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Re: making jewellery from old bike chains and other parts

Postby Mububban » Thu Oct 04, 2018 10:15 am

People make knives out of bike/chainsaw chains :)

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BobtheBuilder
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Re: making jewellery from old bike chains and other parts

Postby BobtheBuilder » Fri Oct 05, 2018 9:18 pm

Ross wrote:
Heaps of others if you Google
Yes, have found much the same links. I'm looking more for specific instructions, like how to properly clean the chain, so it's not rubbing grease off, how to attach clasps, etc.

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Mububban
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Re: making jewellery from old bike chains and other parts

Postby Mububban » Sat Oct 06, 2018 12:43 pm

BobtheBuilder wrote:I'm looking more for specific instructions, like how to properly clean the chain, so it's not rubbing grease off, how to attach clasps, etc.
What method/s have you tried so far for degreasing the chain?
When you are driving your car, you are not stuck IN traffic - you ARE the traffic!!!

BobtheBuilder
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Re: making jewellery from old bike chains and other parts

Postby BobtheBuilder » Sat Oct 06, 2018 1:03 pm

Mububban wrote:
What method/s have you tried so far for degreasing the chain?
None yet, I haven't started. Was thinking of soaking it in diesel, but thought that might stink ...

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Mububban
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Re: making jewellery from old bike chains and other parts

Postby Mububban » Sat Oct 06, 2018 1:12 pm

BobtheBuilder wrote:
Mububban wrote:
What method/s have you tried so far for degreasing the chain?
None yet, I haven't started. Was thinking of soaking it in diesel, but thought that might stink ...
If you have an old plastic container with a tight screw on lid, you can fill it with your degreaser of choice, put the chain in, and shake the heck out of it. Rinse, repeat, and that might work?
I use citrus degreaser but have never tried getting a chain as spotless as you're trying to do.
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P!N20
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Re: making jewellery from old bike chains and other parts

Postby P!N20 » Sun Oct 07, 2018 2:10 pm

Remember chains have a tendency to rust when they’re not lubricated.

BobtheBuilder
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Re: making jewellery from old bike chains and other parts

Postby BobtheBuilder » Sun Oct 07, 2018 2:31 pm

P!N20 wrote:Remember chains have a tendency to rust when they’re not lubricated.
Is there a treatment you could apply that would suit jewellery?

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Re: making jewellery from old bike chains and other parts

Postby P!N20 » Mon Oct 08, 2018 11:53 am

BobtheBuilder wrote: Is there a treatment you could apply that would suit jewellery?
I hear gold plating is a popular jewellery finish.

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Re: making jewellery from old bike chains and other parts

Postby BobtheBuilder » Mon Oct 08, 2018 12:29 pm

P!N20 wrote:
I hear gold plating is a popular jewellery finish.
Incredibly droll.

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Mububban
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Re: making jewellery from old bike chains and other parts

Postby Mububban » Mon Oct 08, 2018 3:59 pm

Would heat treating work? I've seen the heat blued effect used as a colouring and protective option on other steel items but not sure if bike chains would take this?
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BobtheBuilder
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Re: making jewellery from old bike chains and other parts

Postby BobtheBuilder » Fri Oct 12, 2018 11:05 am

BobtheBuilder wrote:
P!N20 wrote:Remember chains have a tendency to rust when they’re not lubricated.
Is there a treatment you could apply that would suit jewellery?
I was thinking more a treatment that would stop it rusting, but preserve the essential character / appearance.

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Mulger bill
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Re: making jewellery from old bike chains and other parts

Postby Mulger bill » Tue Oct 16, 2018 8:05 pm

Been making my own pendants for years.

Every time I change out a chainI keep one link from the oldie and add an excess link from the new. Bit like grandads axe.

Never noticed any rust
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Re: making jewellery from old bike chains and other parts

Postby Farmer Elvis » Tue Oct 16, 2018 8:34 pm

Google electroplating, I reckon the closest place to you will be able to help

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