Anybody working with Brass here?

admin

Hi,I'm a newcomer to the forum and to metalworking in general. A woodworker by trade I'm looking to expand my knowledge base. I'm very interested in learning to work with brass...I have several designs for table/desk bases as well as lighting projects that incorporate it. I'd like to work with brass rod and brass flat bar however I'm not sure of the proper brass to get (alloy) the techniques used to cut, (solder/braze?) and how best to finish/polish.I'm looking for some advice on any techniques, proper alloys, tools etc. from anyone who has experience or if anyone has any good links to share that'd be amazing!Thanks and I look forward to learning a lot more from this forum!ht
Reply:I don't have a whole lot of experience with brass, but I do know brass is easy to polish, using progressively higher grit compounds or wheels as you go will produce mirror finishes or anywhere in between, also brazing is the way to go with brass. It's verry strong but in my experience dosent hold well to bendingHope this helps a bitReal welders know how to penetrate!(Equipment)Whatever can be used to beat my opponent into submission!
Reply:I would use silver braze if I were you. Brass brazing rod also melt your projects, and solder is weak unless you are bonding a huge surface area. (Plus, there's always a tradeoff between usability and toxic chemicals like lead/cadmium.) If you get silver braze, you also need to watch out for cadmium, even for outdoors work. Note that braze is called "hard solder" in the old terminology, and nowadays if someone says "solder" it means the regular weak, low-temperature type. Usually containing lead/tin.For brazing, you need a flux that agrees with your temperature. (I got screwed by a hardware store that promised me "sure, it'll work", and everything failed until I bought real flux at a welding shop.) It will say "brass brazing flux" or "silver brazing flux". And maybe you can silver-braze with a cheap blow torch, but you might also need a MAPP-style torch (whether used with propane or propylene).(Edit: I haven't actually silver brazed yet, but everything I've read indicates it's functionally the same as brass brazing.)
Reply:About tooling....Slightly DULL cutting tools are much better for machining rather than sharp ones....Sharp tools grab and break more often than you may think........zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.