Categories: Projects and equipment; Commerce and business
Word count/read time: 408 words; 2 minutes
I'd like to say every day is different in my shop, but it's not.
Yeah, maybe it's a different weave or different bracelet or different whatever but it's
rarely a break from something I've done before. Ocasionally
something unique
comes up and I'm usually up for the challenge.
Sometimes I get an email that sounds interesting but it's almost certainly a tirekicker
seeking information under the guise of sounding like they want a custom piece. It comes
with the territory and I do my best to help.
A recent email raised my hackles. The signature at the bottom led me to believe I was being punked.
Alas, I answered it anyway without a second thought.
Fully legit, this curator/conservator worked at one of the largest museums in the world and needed
two sizes of custom wire to restore a collection.
There was no commercial source for them.
After some back and forth, I decided to give it a try. They had to be within 0.01mm in all dimensions
and a specific hardness of a particular alloy.
Apparently his colleagues (or others in this field) would cut a piece from a sheet and spend hours
filing and shaping the strip. Yeah, no thanks, there are better ways.
I have drawplates but the sizes he needed were not standard. FFS!
Luckily they were shaped wires, not round, so I had other options. I would use the drawplate to get them
slightly oversized then carefully finish with the rolling mill.
It marked the first time working with non-precious metals in such a capacity.
I have no problem handling "lesser" metals though it's not a regular occurrence.
Incorporating more diversity is a good thing yet it's been slow on the uptake over here.
After some research I purchased a quantity of the desired metal, mind you 100x more than necessary,
so that I can become adept at forming it without worrying about screwing up.
Making a specific wire for a specific purpose is
hardly something that will carry over to other applications. However,
the learning process and experience are valuable for any project.
Learn I did as my equipment was not set up (or designed) to handle this type of work.
It's all good as it will improve my tools and methods.
While it's not a huge moneymaker, who wouldn't want to be associated with such a prestigious institution?
Maybe there will be additional work. Not one to
toot my own horn,
I'm content to keep it on the lowdown like the
custom chain
I made for a trillion dollar company. Should I need to drop names, these are two winners.
Posted by M: December 4, 2025
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