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This is a 2 inch sterling silver sombrero concho that I made. This is the first one I made, and there was quite a learning curve. I had a hard time soldering the sterling and twisted copper edge on the brim. I don't know if anyone knows of an easy way to hold this in place for soldering......I'd love to hear it.
The brim was flat with the outside edge rolled up about 1/4 inch. That's what the problem/difficulty was.
Larry

VERY NICE LARRY , I USE TO MAKE THESE FOR GIFTS, I HAVE MADE ABOUT TWENTY OF THEM AND I HAVE NOT FOUND AN EASY WAY TO MAKE THEM. I HAVE USED ALL TYPES OF CLAMPS BUT ALL OF THEM TRY TO JUMP OFF. THIS ONE LOOKS GOOD !!!!!

That is soooo cool. I love the injinuity. Did you make the crown and brim out of 2 pieces?
I have trouble with rope edges too. When I started soldering on the edge, then cutting out the shape, it was easier, but that would'nt work on a rolled edge.
Jim

Howdy Larry,

The sombrero is absolutely great. I really like the simple, elegant engraving.

I am not sure how turned up edge is done on the brim, is it done with a die? I really have problems with attaching rope on anything so I cant help much other than asking the obvious. Could you just spot solder on and form as you go? Silly question I reckon.

D.C.

_________________
The best thing for the inside of a man is the outside of a horse.

Hey Larry

That is a cute simple little concho, really like the simple design. Soldering twisted wire has always been hard for me also. I am sure there is someone out there who can help us.

_________________
Norm Harris, Jr.
"The outside of a Horse is good for the inside of a Man"

Larry,
I agree with Jim. That is way too cool. And way original. Thanks for sharing with us.
Stewart

Thanks everyone. To answer a few questions I made the brim out of a 2" disc with a 5/8" hole in the center for the crown to fit into. I made a form for rolling the edge of the brim from a 1/2" think piece of micarta and then formed it with rubber and my hydraulic press. I formed the crown from a 1 1/4" disc by slowly pushing it into a 5/8" hole in a block of maple with a wooden dowel the shape of the crown. To hold the twisted wire I bent some heavy wire into long rectangles that I slid over the wire and brim to hold them together. It worked but there should be a better way.

Larry

Larry- I'd probably solder the rope around the outside of the disc before curling up the rim. Make a loop of the twisted wire about 1/16 shorter than the circ. of the disc, solder the ends of the wire into a loop,
clamping one side of the ring and disc into a soft jawed vise, use smooth pliers to stretch the loop onto the edge of the disc. If your disc has nice square edges it will stay on there and not need to use clamps or binding wire to hold it in place while soldering. I always use easy solder to put the outer ropes on and easy 45 to assemble the rest. This is the same way I fit all my ropes to buckles.
If you want it on top-I would probably use binding wire to hold in place then work your way around the edge-soldering in 3 or 4 places to hold in place then go back around to complete soldering in between.

Richard,

Thanks for the tips. I think if I just made a few more I might get the hang of it.

Larry

Larry,

I think you did a great job!

This could possibly be a focal point of a bit someday???

-justin

Larry~ I like this plenty! Very nice indeed!

Besr regards,
Greg Pauline

Thanks Greg glad to see you back here.
Larry