Method for Pendant Idea?

[Sandra]

Hello all, I have an idea I've been milling about for a while now and unsure which direction to go with it! I have a detailed drawing of a clock base, it's quite intricate in design. I'd like to recreate this (just the clock base and I'd add the hands separately). My knowledge of different techniques is probably still a bit limited, but I've come up with two options so far. I could somehow convert this into a 3D image suitable to send and have it cast (this may be easier said than done but I've been trying out different 3D software that I'm finding free online), or I could print out the drawing on blue PNP paper and transfer it to a sheet of metal and use etching solution which I suppose is a simpler solution.
I considered carving a piece of wax but there is so much fine detail in it I'm unsure about doing this as I want to keep it small and delicate....any other methods I could try that I'm not thinking of?

[Goldsmith]

You really need to post a picture or sketch of what you are talking about Sandra, before we can give any possibly useful suggestions.

James

[Dennis]

Hi Sandra, buzzing with ideas as usual. If you mean clock face, then etching is not ideal for important detail, because delicate resist can break up in the solutiom. It might be possible to have it laser cut instead. Dennis

[Sandra]

Basically I'm trying to make this into a pendant, hopefully. It's such a beautiful clock! It's a drawing of a real existing clock that's on a building, and yes I guess I meant clock face, not base!


This is the actual clock:

[josef1]

I did these quickly in CAD using image trace then extruding the curves . You would need to be careful with the size so you don't lose to much detail, I would mill them from wax If it was me as i don't think 3D printing would be sharp enough

[Sandra]

Wow that was fast Josef! To do laser cat as Dennis suggested is that done from a CAD image like you've done? I've actually been working with wax casting as of late - but haven't attempted anything quite this detailed and precise. Would you just carve the detail by hand then?

Actually those CAD images don't look too bad to me...

[art925]

Hi Sandra,
You could also consider etching as a method to make this image into a pendant.

[Sandra]

Thanks for the info Peter, it sounds more complicated than I thought. I suppose etching is an option, maybe I could create the base in wax and have it cast and then add the finer details in etching possibly.

[Dennis]

Sandra, as I suggested when you first posed this question, I would investigate having it laser engraved, Either by our member Alan, at Geti, or by the Assay Office.

https://www.guildofjewellerydesigner...d=34&Itemid=61

https://www.assayofficelondon.co.uk/...aser-engraving Dennis

[Sandra]

Thanks Dennis, I'll check into those.