Lachenal button tops replacement

[RogerT]

Has anyone got a solution for either finding something like or making something like the little convex silver coloured button tops on a Lachenal? Apart from sourcing complete buttons? 

See photo..

 

[Theo]

You can solder the missing top back on, but I've found you ned to used silver solder to get a strong bond.  

 

I think those in your picture are actually sterling silver tops.  If they are nickel tops I have a supply of nickel silver discs punched during the manufacture of Shaw whistles.  Dave Shaw the maker is a friend.

[RogerT]

8 minutes ago, Theo said:

You can solder the missing top back on, but I've found you ned to used silver solder to get a strong bond.  

 

I think those in your picture are actually sterling silver tops.  If they are nickel tops I have a supply of nickel silver discs punched during the manufacture of Shaw whistles.  Dave Shaw the maker is a friend.

Hi Theo, 

Unfortunately I don’t have the missing top… they may very well be silver but not sure how to tell if they are nickel or silver. I'll email you about it.

thanks.

[Alex West]

I cheated (only slightly) and got a local jeweller/silversmith to make and replace the tops for me.  I cant remember offhand how much she charged but it wasn't a fortune

 

Alex West

[alex_holden]

14 hours ago, RogerT said:

Unfortunately I don’t have the missing top… they may very well be silver but not sure how to tell if they are nickel or silver. I'll email you about it.

 

I agree that from the picture, the tops look like they are brighter than the sides, which would suggest they are made from a different metal (probably either fine silver or an alloy like sterling). I've repaired one or two with soft solder: I think that's what the original manufacturer used.

[d.elliott]

I have had stainless tops made, ream gently the hole in the key end and then make the top as a plug with the correct profile. By de-greasing the 'plug' and the key bore I have found excellent results by bonding with a loctite industrial adhesive.. By the time you have dressed and polished the replacement end the bond has been well and truly tested.

 

 the colour/ lustre difference is barely noticeable. I think I use 304, or perhaps 316. I had about 30 off made of domed , flat and nearly flat. the domed have all be used over the years, but I think I have a couple of the others remaining.

 

Dave

[RogerT]

Dave…who did you get to make them?

[d.elliott]

A local model railway engineer, now no longer about (sadly)