Key chains, let's make some key chains

[myshop1044]

Here is the results of a lot of lay out work and good results. The first pic is the layout after carving and painting. 21 chains out of a 8 x 10 piece. This wil make some good stocking stuffing for Christmas.
I have already have a request for some chains for the local high school .

Myshop1044

[WRW]

Nice work.
Great Ideal for gifts.

[CarverJerry]

Are those made from corian or cast acrylic? Also looks like you had the machine draw the lines where you sawed them out, or did you have the machine cut these out? Nice job

CJ

[myshop1044]

Hi there CJ, the material is corian. The lines was done by the machine and I use them as cut lines . I make cuts around the outside and up the middle on the table saw, then I use my chop saw to cut each key chains off. They are too small to cut on the table saw,( I like my fingers too much). I set every thing on a 1/8" grid on my pattern, this allows a cut width to match my saw blade width.
I paint and finish everything then I cut them out, polish off he edges a little to get rid of the sharp edges.
Attached are three pic, one is the painting in progress, the second is the plywood proto type, stained and the last is the ptn to show the complete setup. one note the sq. looking holes is text and I use it to set up the drill holes on my drill press.
I find the cost is quite good. I got some 1/4" corian on EBay and the rings also on Ebay.
Together the cost with shipping is about $.50. I will get $3.00 at the craft shows, but the school will sell them at their own price.
I add a small cost for me and everybody goes home happy. I just hope the demand is too great then this becomes a job not fun.

Myshop

[Scott H]

Terrific idea! Thank you for sharing. I have an after school shop that I also sponsor (on top of my regular shop teacher duties) and we are looking for simple yet fun activities that can be used for fundraisers. I will certainly use this template.

Call me dumb, but could you please explain how you finish off the corian? Never used the stuff before however have always wanted to try since I purchased the CW for our school. I assume you use a palm sander to get rid of the surface paint. What about a clear finish on top of that? How are you "polishing" off the edges? Thanks in advance!

-Scott

[myshop1044]

Hi Scott, sorry I didn't answer sooner, I had a craft show this weekend. I did very well on coasters, cajun humor signs, clocks, and had a lot of intrest in different address signs too. To answer your question, yes I buff off the paint with 200 grit sand paper very lightly on the complete sheet before cutting them apart. I then sand down the edges with a 9 in sanding disc and I use a 45 deg tilt on the table and sand the edges very carefully, these are small pieces, this takes off the rought edges .
I don't put any sealer since the material is white and I don't think the sealer would do any good, they are going to get scratch up anyway.
I hope this helps you in your project, give it a try your self before letting them kids get their hands on the small pieces.

Myshop

Perry

[Scott H]

Thanks for the reply. Sounds like some nice ideas you have tried. I really want to try this corian key fob project as I think it will work well in my school.

What kind of paint would you suggest on this corian?

[myshop1044]

I use Krylon outdoor gloss

Myshop

[Scott H]

Thanks! I'll have to give it a try.

[reddragon35777]

I am so sorry but I wouldn't use Krylon for anything I do alot of art work and it has a tendancu to cloud up and besides if you get a can of poly it will last you much longer and do a smoother job if you hang your keychains on small nails to dry