Introduction: Pot Metal/Pewter Buckle Repair

Today nosotros will be fixing a couple buckles I take that are cleaved off at the prong and can't exist worn. The first is my Harley buckle that my dad gave me when I was a kid, it is fabricated of pewter by the Great American Buckle Visitor. The other is my constitution commemorative buckle from the 200th anniversary of the constitution. This 1 is broken at the prong and is fabricated of pot metal, also by the Swell American Buckle Visitor.

Stride 1: The Project

A lot of collector buckles are made from pot metallic because it is cheaper than using quality metals, pewter is as well very common in these types of buckles. Two of my favorite buckles hither had cleaved prongs and couldn't be used anymore. I searched for options to fix them and didn't find much. They cannot be brazed or soldered with normal brazing rod or solder. There is a couple products that will piece of work but they are to expensive for me to spend on a relatively inexpensive chugalug buckle. And then I've got a way to fix them that while it doesn't expect pretty, volition hold on the metal and make the buckle useable again. Besides we don't await at the back of the buckle anyhow.

Stride 2: Materials and Tools

Materials

  • The broken buckle
  • Epoxy
  • Fleck wood
  • 6D finishing nail
  • Towel

Tools

  • Bounder file
  • Dremel with grinding bit
  • Hammer
  • Common cold chisel
  • Pliers
  • Vise Grip or ii
  • Drill
  • 9/64" drill bit
  • Paintbrush or stick

Footstep 3: File Downwardly the Buckle

So this pace is actually easy because this metal is then soft, simply take the file and brand certain there is a nice flat smooth spot where the prong used to be. I used the file to do all of this, and just a little bit with the dremel to get into the tight spots. It doesn't take to be anything perfect, just get off of the picture.

Step 4: Make the New Prong

So again a relatively easy task that doesn't require much finesse or skill. Take the blast and put information technology in the vise grips at the caput, and so with the pliers bend information technology into a hook shape. Then cutting information technology to length with the hammer and cold chisel. Or a cease nippers works better and easier, simply I was to unambitious to get the garage and get them. Now that the nail is cutting to length bend the hook into a better shape if needed. but look at some other buckle if you lot have 1 and become off that. I put a moving picture of a good brass buckle that I take for an idea on the approximate shape of the prong. At the terminate y'all'll probably discover that my new prong doesn't look at all like the shape of the one on my other buckle, but it does the pull a fast one on.

Step 5: Drill the Hole for the New Prong

And then take the drill bit and chuck it up in the drill, I plant that for the half-dozen penny boom a 9/64" is a good fit. Yous will have to work it into the hole a little, but that keeps it nice and tight and forces the mucilage to bond tightly to the blast. I didn't mensurate for depth, I merely eyeballed information technology. The of import matter is that you don't drill to far and put a whole in the forepart of the buckle. And so go wearisome and take patience in all things.

Step 6: Mix Upward the Smell Good

So at present it's time to breath deep and make the glue. Squirt equal amounts of the clear and the xanthous broth onto your scrap forest or what have y'all. Then have the paint brush handle and mix upward to a cloudy type mixture.

Pace 7: Assembly

So now have the paintbrush and fill the hole with epoxy. Then smear the nail in the epoxy and stick information technology in the hole of the buckle. Then utilize the brush to smear a mound around the base of operations of the nail. So that it will accept a solid foundation when the epoxy dries. This mound is probably unnecessary, but information technology doesn't injure and gives it a lot of support.

Stride viii: Wait

So now that it is all assembled, all there is to do is look. It may say it is five infinitesimal epoxy, but I like to give information technology a good 24 hours to make sure that all the epoxy is dry and fully cured. Think patience in all things, subsequently all if your like me this has been broken for many years anyway.

Footstep 9: Done

So now that it is all dried the buckle is non quite as skilful every bit new looks wise, but I guarantee that information technology will be strong and hold for many years to come up. And so buckle upwardly and stone on.

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