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Distinguish brass from bronze

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JW² - 05 Jul 2008 09:06 GMT
I have a variety of yellow metal bars, and wish to machine a new bush
for a breadmaker. How can I distinguish which is bronze? Does it matter?
JW²
Bob Minchin - 05 Jul 2008 09:40 GMT
> I have a variety of yellow metal bars, and wish to machine a new bush
> for a breadmaker. How can I distinguish which is bronze? Does it matter?
> JW²
Assuming you have some bronze in amongst them then the bronzes are
likely to more red or copper like than the really yellow brasses.
Does it matter? Well bronze will be harder wearing (on steel)than brass
but for light domestic use then possibly not. Whilst you are at it make
2 bushes of whatever you have to hand then the first won't wear out
until you've lost the spare one!!

HTH
Bob
Dragon - 05 Jul 2008 12:01 GMT
>Whilst you are at it make 2 bushes of whatever you have to hand
>then the first won't wear out until you've lost the spare one!!
>
> HTH
> Bob

What an excellent idea!
Like always carrying an umbrella so that it won't rain.
You won't lose the spare bush if you put it in a safe place.
Unless you forget where that it!

Henry
NoSpam - 05 Jul 2008 12:13 GMT
>> Whilst you are at it make 2 bushes of whatever you have to hand
>> then the first won't wear out until you've lost the spare one!!
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
> Henry

Similar to the recommendation from the days when airliners were being
bombed: it's safer to take your own bomb on board because the chance of
there being two on the same aircraft is negligible. ;-)

Dave
TT_Man - 05 Jul 2008 16:29 GMT
>> Henry
>
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
> Dave

Not sure I go along with that....... but it is a good idea :)
1501 - 07 Jul 2008 11:47 GMT
> What an excellent idea!
> Like always carrying an umbrella so that it won't rain.
> You won't lose the spare bush if you put it in a safe place.
> Unless you forget where that it!

Which reminds me about always finding something you've lost in the
very last place you look.
Dragon - 07 Jul 2008 15:50 GMT
>> What an excellent idea!
>> Like always carrying an umbrella so that it won't rain.
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>Which reminds me about always finding something you've lost in the
>very last place you look.

But that is logical as you stop lokking once you've found it.
This is no place for logic, it spoils the fun!
Peter A Forbes - 05 Jul 2008 11:13 GMT
>I have a variety of yellow metal bars, and wish to machine a new bush
>for a breadmaker. How can I distinguish which is bronze? Does it matter?
>JW²

Jack:

Brass is very much a yellow/gold colour while the bronzes tend to be
darker/redder. Gunmetal is in between....

The material spec also affects the perceived colouring, cast sticks/bars tend to
be duller while extruded/drawn bars are shinier, for want of a better
expression.

Peter
--
Peter & Rita Forbes
Email: diesel@easynet.co.uk
http://www.oldengine.org/members/diesel
http://www.stationary-engine.co.uk
http://www.oldengine.co.uk
John - 05 Jul 2008 18:51 GMT
>I have a variety of yellow metal bars, and wish to machine a new bush for a
>breadmaker. How can I distinguish which is bronze? Does it matter?
> JW²

When turned, Brass swaff comes off as a shower of very small particles

Bronze tends to come off as a single long piece.
Tim Leech - 05 Jul 2008 19:21 GMT
>>I have a variety of yellow metal bars, and wish to machine a new bush for a
>>breadmaker. How can I distinguish which is bronze? Does it matter?
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
>Bronze tends to come off as a single long piece.

Depends on the bronze and the cutting conditions.
With some it's quite easy to get the same shower of small 'needles'.

Tim
JW² - 07 Jul 2008 02:20 GMT
===
Thanks to all for the info.
I used the piece which seemed to be the reddish-brownish-darkish-est,
and noted the chips. They varied between fine particles and flakes, but
on parting-off, they were distinct flakes, so I felt vaguely reassured
that it was a piece of bronze.
Thanks again

JW²
===
tomol - 07 Jul 2008 20:41 GMT
> I have a variety of yellow metal bars, and wish to machine a new bush
> for a breadmaker. How can I distinguish which is bronze? Does it matter?
> JW²

For your further information on brasses and bronze,  bronze is a much
superior metal as far as wearing is concerned. From a decent cut the
swarf will usually curl like small springs which will be quite tough.
Be careful when reaming as the reamer may sieze unless there is a very
minimal amount to remove.  Gunmetal has a slight goldish tinge. It
machines easily except for drilling where it may snatch in the drill
in.   It is used for steam engine boiler parts as it does not "de-
zincify" due to steam and pressure. Phosfor Bronze is even tougher
than bronze and even darker in colour especially when it ozidises with
age, and correspondingly tougher to machine. Always use the sharpest
tools on all these metals as blunt tools will cause trouble. Hop[e
this is of help.  Tom Oliver
JW² - 08 Jul 2008 11:37 GMT
> For your further information on brasses and bronze,  bronze is a much
> superior metal as far as wearing is concerned. From a decent cut the
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> tools on all these metals as blunt tools will cause trouble. Hop[e
> this is of help.  Tom Oliver

Thank you for this information. I have stored it away for future use.
What is the best method of marking metal stock to indicate its material
and grade? Standard colour code? Stamping ID marks on butt end?

JW²
Chris Edwards - 08 Jul 2008 14:39 GMT

>    What is the best method of marking metal stock to indicate its material
>and grade? Standard colour code? Stamping ID marks on butt end?
>
>JW²

    Personally, I think simple is best.  I bought half a dozen small
tins of 'Humbrol' model enamel and invented my own colour code system. It
only takes a few seconds to dab material with a cotton bud dipped in the
paint.

    It just needs a bit of discipline to remember to mark stuff as soon
as it arrives, and before I forget what I bought, and only to cut off from
the unpainted end!

    From previous traffic on this subject, I think it was generally
concluded that there was no universal system anyway.

    YMMV.
--

Chris Edwards (in deepest Dorset)      "....there *must* be an easier way!"
dave sanderson - 09 Jul 2008 09:25 GMT
> > For your further information on brasses and bronze,  bronze is a much
> > superior metal as far as wearing is concerned. From a decent cut the
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
>
> JW²

I use a sharpie and write on it in several places (when I remember...)

Dave
 
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