DIY First (Aluminum Cantle Sporran)

**Thomas H** · 26th July 12, 09:52 AM

This is my first atempt to make an Aluminum Cantle Sporran
I am not trying to pass it off for a Brass Cantle - I just had Aluminum
on hand and I thought why not , I gave it my best shot and I am happy
with it.

I cut the Aluminum 1st

Then I began to try and shape it up and weld it togeather

Then I bought some Goat Hair at the Grand father games and added it to it

I am still working on the bag for it

Please keep in mind this is just something I made for myself and I am not trying to pass it off as anything that it is not .
I just thought it might inspire some one to make one for themsevles .

Thank you and be gentle

**Thomas H** · 26th July 12, 09:54 AM

Here is a simple hanger I put on it

Here is the start of the bag

**** What do you think so far ???

**Tobus** · 26th July 12, 10:13 AM

What do you think so far ???

So far, I am impressed! I think it looks fabulous. Can't wait to see it complete and worn!

Really, this kind of project is inspiring. I've often considered doing something similar, but I just don't have the wherewithal to actually do it.

Do you think it will be a little too heavy with all that plate at the back?

**Skiballa** · 26th July 12, 10:23 AM

Originally Posted by Tobus

Do you think it will be a little too heavy with all that plate at the back?

Aluminum would be nowhere near as heavy as brass or pewter, I would imagine that the goat hair adds more to the overall weight.

Good timing, I was just beginning to piece one together using steel, I had planned on polishing and then bluing it. Looking forward to seeing the finished product. I had been wondering about doing something with Aluminum, then getting some kind of crazy anodizing done to it.

Is that 1/8th" 6061 T6? That's mostly what I have available to me as scrap from work, it'll take some work or coating/treatment to keep it shiny.

**Thomas H** · 26th July 12, 10:26 AM

Yes it is heavy and the hair is heavy , but I had to do it , and I enjoy it , I learned how to weld aluminum and it is easy
just heat it up and use the alum. rods on it .

I still have goat hair if any one is interested in trading for some horse hair

**OrneryPiper** · 26th July 12, 10:29 AM

Excellent work thus far...I'll be monitoring this thread for updates!

**Skiballa** · 26th July 12, 10:30 AM

If that was learning to weld aluminum, then I am truly impressed. It looks really good man!

**Thomas H** · 26th July 12, 10:33 AM

Originally Posted by Skiballa

If that was learning to weld aluminum, then I am truly impressed. It looks really good man!

Yes , I just watched a youtube video and bought the welding rods from Harbor frieght for $14.00 for 8 rods and
I just heated it up and run the rod across and it worked
You should try it .

**Blupiper** · 26th July 12, 10:54 AM

That is just amazing work! Totally impressed. You should elaborate on some of the techniques you used to fabricate that cantle, for those of us who aren't so skilled. Thanks for showing it.

JMB

**Thomas H** · 26th July 12, 11:05 AM

Ok I cut out the aluminum with a scroll saw - very slowly - then I drilled holes in the cantle (not knowing why )
I just tryed to make it look close to the otheres I had seen .
Then I took a 1" wide 1/4" thick bar and bent it around a vise and then watched you tube over and over on how to weld
Aluminum and I fitted the parts togeather and begun to heat it all up with a
Propane torch . Then I run the rod across it and allowed it to cool.
Then I bought knobs from Home depot and grinded them down some .As I could not find anything esle local

I then cut the hide and shaped it to the metal . All I have left is sewing the bag
I can not firgure out how to sew it at the bottom with out it messing up .

**** So I am at a stand still *****

I want it to hang like horse hair but I want the bag of a cantle