Well, reporting from Bastrop again.....Found an old safe dial that I thought was really cool. When I found it, I thought I had found some old door knob with the base attached. Man was it heavy. Made of Brass. When I got home, I went to cleaning the "knob", and I noted hash marks along the edge. One was longer than the other, and so, I knew it to be a safe dial. A brass safe dial at that. Hmmmmm, old?
I looked at the shape and thought......what could I do with that, and it hit me. A paper weight! The only problem was, there was a stub sticking out on the backside some 1/2 inch.......
Well, I put the dial in my tumbler at home and let her tumble for about 4 hours. Man, when she came out, I found the phrase "Patented Aug. 24 1889" on the Knob! Now, I REALLY wanted it as a paper weight. I took a permanent marker and darkened the tumbler numbers and hash marks, along with the information on the knob, just to make it stand out some.
I got my metal chop saw, and carefully removed the stub on the back side, even with the back of the dial. Next, I got some JB metal epoxy and mixed up a whole tube of resin and hardener, and filled up the back. Finally, I set it onto a piece of green felt. After 4 hours, I went back and using a razor knife, cut the felt away, leaving a cushion directly underneath the dial. Voila! Instant Paper Weight! 123 years in the making. And what happens?
My E-vile wife, the teacher decides that the bauble belongs in her classroom.......Well, you KNOW the rest of the story.....but it was great to re-purpose something I found into something unique and original. Just thought I would share another find out of Bastrop County......I have some more goodies to post later.....one in particular gave me a history lesson and is another unique find.......
Reporting from Bastrop County, Texas, on mission,
Dennis, Safe, and Sound.......
I looked at the shape and thought......what could I do with that, and it hit me. A paper weight! The only problem was, there was a stub sticking out on the backside some 1/2 inch.......
Well, I put the dial in my tumbler at home and let her tumble for about 4 hours. Man, when she came out, I found the phrase "Patented Aug. 24 1889" on the Knob! Now, I REALLY wanted it as a paper weight. I took a permanent marker and darkened the tumbler numbers and hash marks, along with the information on the knob, just to make it stand out some.
I got my metal chop saw, and carefully removed the stub on the back side, even with the back of the dial. Next, I got some JB metal epoxy and mixed up a whole tube of resin and hardener, and filled up the back. Finally, I set it onto a piece of green felt. After 4 hours, I went back and using a razor knife, cut the felt away, leaving a cushion directly underneath the dial. Voila! Instant Paper Weight! 123 years in the making. And what happens?
My E-vile wife, the teacher decides that the bauble belongs in her classroom.......Well, you KNOW the rest of the story.....but it was great to re-purpose something I found into something unique and original. Just thought I would share another find out of Bastrop County......I have some more goodies to post later.....one in particular gave me a history lesson and is another unique find.......
Reporting from Bastrop County, Texas, on mission,
Dennis, Safe, and Sound.......
