DIY cantles?

**wildrover** · 23rd November 09, 08:40 PM

I've a feeling there's a wide variety of stuff out there...I'm not really thinking of engraved, or cast stuff tho...more like the stuff you might make in the garage with metalworking equipment...plasma torch, band saw, laser/water table, stuff like that.

I have this crazy idea that I can combine some traditional and natural elements with a modern sort of machine shop look, and make it look good.

Anyone have pictures to post?

The most important question at the moment, for me anyway, is what else needs to be incorporated to the back of the piece, in order to attach it (preferably without glue, rivets or heat...I'm a fasteners kind of guy) to leather, hair, etc.? Rings? Threaded hole to clamp the material in place?

Thanks,
Sean

**Bugbear** · 24th November 09, 12:43 AM

On my metal cantle, dress sporran, it looks like there are three posts sticking out from the back of the cantle, which is hollow; two at the bottom, one at the top. I guess there is a rivit of some sort in that post, on mine, and the post goes through the leather of the sporran body that fits into the hollow part of the cantle. I think it's also glued on.

Here is what I suggest. Pick a way to bolt that cantle on the sporran. I guess you could use a tap to thread it or solder/weld nuts on the back; something like that. Use bolts with counter sink type heads, and possibly a washer of some sort. I guess you could even make a whole back plate to hold it all together.

Then cover all of that with a lining of some sort. It needs to be a really snug fit, I think, so the cantle won't slide around.

* Ok, I tried to get a better idea of how the cantle is attached to the sporran; this is on a Celtic Croft dress sporran.

I think this one is epoxied to the leather and stiffener, but it does also have those three posts sticking through. Those are covered with some kind of binding tape so I don't exactly know if there is a rivit or screw attached to them, and holding anything down.

I only work with a drill press and mounted rotery tool, no welding, so I've thought about making decorative caps for Chicago rivits, I think that's what they're called, and using a few of those to hold a cantle in place with holes drilled all the way through. Just an idea, and I'm not sure if it would work well.

**jhockin** · 24th November 09, 10:03 AM

I thought I recalled a recent thread on this ( "the search function is your friend";0):
check out this thread, it may answer your query:
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/m...ghlight=cantle

**Bluescelt** · 24th November 09, 10:43 AM

I like the idea of using "found" materials to use in projects. Jhokin posted a shot of my cantle. It's front is an old junkshop brass tray. the fasteners are brass flathead screws soldered into lamp supply half brass balls. The internet allows for all kinds of possibilities. If you can visualize what you want to make, you can (with enough research) find suitable materials to use. My latest idea for the next cantle will be a brass cantle that will be silver plated for dress. I need to research the plating costs first though. I found a local plating shop that does custom work so it may be within reason. Wildrover, you can adapt any metal ornament with a drill , thread tap and a threaded stud to become a fastener. It makes for all kind of possililities. If you use stainless steel fasteners, you can buff them out to a chrome-like finish. You can end up with a unique cantle using socket or hex head screws! A real industrial look. Hmmmmmm. Now you've got me thinking......

**wildrover** · 24th November 09, 01:36 PM

Originally Posted by Bluescelt

You can end up with a unique cantle using socket or hex head screws! A real industrial look. Hmmmmmm. Now you've got me thinking......

Exactly

!

**Bugbear** · 24th November 09, 02:25 PM

You know... a while back I was intrigued with cut steel buttons.

I wonder if a whole cantle could be made in the same way. It's just regular steel (not stainless) and polished.

**Bluescelt** · 24th November 09, 02:35 PM

I don't see why you couldn't Ted. It would tend to tarnish unless it was coated so it wouldn't oxidize. Plain steel with a tarnish might be interesting for a daywear sporran though.

**Bugbear** · 24th November 09, 02:45 PM

Well, I remember the difference in appearance between polished stainless steel and polished regular steel; the regular steel has a softer reflection to it.

The care would be a bit of an issue, though.
I guess you could make a daywear sporran with some old raw iron with big studs etc.

**MacLowlife** · 24th November 09, 06:09 PM

Has anyone else ever cast an eye at the arc of the bottom of a #10 can and wondered if it could be made into a cantle? A paint can lid? I suspect an old engraved silver or pewter tray ( or a misengraved one from an awards shop) might yield something with which to start. I think a bandsaw would be a good tool, but you could do great piercing and filing with a Dremel. I'll just stand over here and watch.

**Kilted Rogue** · 24th November 09, 06:29 PM

Originally Posted by MacLowlife

Has anyone else ever cast an eye at the arc of the bottom of a #10 can and wondered if it could be made into a cantle? A paint can lid? I suspect an old engraved silver or pewter tray ( or a misengraved one from an awards shop) might yield something with which to start. I think a bandsaw would be a good tool, but you could do great piercing and filing with a Dremel. I'll just stand over here and watch.

Kevin Kinney was working on using a chrome flour bins or a chrome waste bin, but they proved to be to small.