I had made a simpler, single layer aluminum collar for my fursuit head that uses a magnet to hold it closed. This lead to me think, "I bet I can make something cooler."

I decided I wanted to try making something more complicated! A good friend of mine ended up being the recipient of this as a gift.

Two layers of 1/8" aluminum bar stock. Solid copper and brass rivets hammered by hand and aluminum rivets for the hinge and lock tabs. Polished the rivets and the shiny edges of the aluminum that you can see. Bent by hand with the assistance of a bench vice (this was not easy). The lock was an after thought, but because it's 'Master lock' brand, I thought it would be humorous to use. So I sanded and polished it as well. (And had an extra key made, just in case. Wouldn't want to get stuck!)

I did snap off one of the tabs and had to epoxy it back on because I was running out of time. Drilling out 3 rivets, making a new piece and riveting it all back together without screwing up the finish, or anything else, meant epoxy was the best option. Luckily, it's not an obvious blemish. Working in a cold garage over the winter also wasn't the greatest.

I'd like to find some 1/4" stock to see if I could make a custom hinge with a pin for a seamless look.

More pictures and a video here: https://x.com/NalzWrites/status/174.....941224015?s=20