Thread: Making a vintage washer

Thanks to Aj we have a source of dome washers for our projects. Here is a simple way to give them the antique look and feel with a Dremel and mandrels

Using the Dremel mandrels with the very fine threads (~= to .072) And filing the outside of one down to about about an 1/8th inch we have file/knife supports for making a couple grooves in the washers. I used the blade of an Xacto knife to get close but a very sharp cornered file could do the job.
Do the outside diameter first and then the smaller diameter.
The old blade in the photo has the final bit. I sued a 15ga/4D steel nail for the pinning. Solid brass would also work.
Have fun!
~Richard

Who is Aj?

Originally Posted by Utopian

Who is Aj?

ajkenne a vendor here on SRP and has eBay shop.
ajkenne4xm3
Do a google if the link doesn't go there.

Richard, that is a really nice modification to the brass dome washers. The nickel silver domes would certainly work as well. Not so well with the stainless steel though. I have done some experimentations with all of these using my doming block set. All of this is fun stuff. It looks especially good with the early 1800-20 stub tail razors. Good job! Thanks, Austin

Richard, do you make the groove with the mandrel running in the Dremel?

Originally Posted by tintin

Richard, do you make the groove with the mandrel running in the Dremel?

Yes, sorry. Slow to medium speed.
Thank you!
~Richard

Where did you find the mandels Richard. I have a few but they are too big to go thru washers.

Originally Posted by Gasman

Where did you find the mandels Richard. I have a few but they are too big to go thru washers.

Good question!
I haunt garage sales and local thrift stores. The one I found are about a 0-80/0.077tight.
I would suppose that a larger size and 5/64ths pins would do also.

I actually only just had some of Alex's washer arrive yesterday (bullseyes & domes) & already put a set to use on this last night
which reminds me I need to give some feed back LOL