Cedge
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- Jul 12, 2007
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I buy most of my brass from local scrap yards, which means it usually mystery metal day, when I get home. It also means that, to paraphrase Forest Gump , It's like a box of chocolates... you never know what you're going to get. I've certainly managed to discover that all brass is not the same . I've wound up with a variety, ranging from 260, 360, Red, Naval, bronze and one that appears to be nickel silver, not to mention a couple that have, so far defied, identification.
Here is a photo showing several different blends and the color variations. I have more color variations, but they were too deep in the metal stack to easily dig out. I placed a piece of steel, copper and aluminum in the photo for a bit wider color comparison.
The colors range from a pink/red to warm pink, to honey gold, summer wheat, yellow and almost "white". Each one turns differently from the next, with the yellow and white running amazing strings of curled swarf. The bronzes and the other brasses turn with small chips or tight little hooks. Each also seems to like a different angle of tool attack
This one is today's purchase and is still a mystery metal, although a bit of Googling seems to indicate it is probably Leaded Nickel Silver - 10%. It has a slight golden cast but tends more to a silver color. It's pretty hard stuff and produces a beautifully slick finish cut. Anyone recognize the stuff?
Just thought I'd share an interesting observation with others who might not have experienced it yet.
Steve
Here is a photo showing several different blends and the color variations. I have more color variations, but they were too deep in the metal stack to easily dig out. I placed a piece of steel, copper and aluminum in the photo for a bit wider color comparison.
The colors range from a pink/red to warm pink, to honey gold, summer wheat, yellow and almost "white". Each one turns differently from the next, with the yellow and white running amazing strings of curled swarf. The bronzes and the other brasses turn with small chips or tight little hooks. Each also seems to like a different angle of tool attack
This one is today's purchase and is still a mystery metal, although a bit of Googling seems to indicate it is probably Leaded Nickel Silver - 10%. It has a slight golden cast but tends more to a silver color. It's pretty hard stuff and produces a beautifully slick finish cut. Anyone recognize the stuff?
Just thought I'd share an interesting observation with others who might not have experienced it yet.
Steve