Brass Tube

[Mike CrossfieldParticipant @mikecrossfield92481]

I need an 8 inch length of 2 inch diameter 16 or 18 gauge brass tube (to fill with lead for the pendulum of a clock I am making). My usual supplier of clock making brass sells CZ121 at around £2.50 per inch, but I've seen others selling 16 gauge brass steam pipe for 1/2 the price. Does anyone know what grade this would be, and if there is a snag to using it in my application?

[Mike CrossfieldParticipant @mikecrossfield92481]

What grade is “steam pipe”?

[John HaineParticipant @johnhaine32865]

Only snag I can think of is that the grade might not be very machinable but you wouldn't be doing much of that other than maybe squaring off the ends. I'd go for it myself.

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

If getting it mail order be sure to mention that is to be used in a decorative role and must be free of dents. A clock supplier might be worth the extra for this and I can only think brass steam pipe must be left over from Mamod boiler making,
You could look into rolling it from sheet.

Edited By Bazyle on 28/01/2018 14:54:43

[Billy BeanParticipant @billybean67480]

Maccmodels can supply

2 inch diameter by 16swg – they list an 8.5 inch length at £8.39 plus post.

Hope this helps.

BB

[Mike CrossfieldParticipant @mikecrossfield92481]

Yes, Maccmodels was the supplier that triggered my question. Unfortunately they don’t state the grade of brass.op

[Billy BeanParticipant @billybean67480]

Posted by Mike Crossfield on 28/01/2018 18:12:27:

Yes, Maccmodels was the supplier that triggered my question. Unfortunately they don’t state the grade of brass.op

The reason why I mentioned it was that I was the buyer who asked if they could supply an 8 inch length as opposed to a 12 inch length and Joe was his usual obliging self.

I used this tube to make a brass boiler – still going strong.

This is going to sound like a daft question but can you tell me why the grade of brass is important?

Thanks

BB

Edited to say – I have always found Joe to most helpful .

I am sure he would be able to tell you  the grade of brass if asked.

 

 

 

 

Edited By Billy Bean on 28/01/2018 18:50:07

[Mike CrossfieldParticipant @mikecrossfield92481]

The grade matters because I will need to skim it after filling it with lead. Some grades of brass are chewy, and tear, so getting an attractive finish is very difficult. Guess I need to speak to the man at Maccmodels.

[Billy BeanParticipant @billybean67480]

The tube Joe sent me polished up a treat – I just squared ends on lathe and then spun and polished – I have an older lathe just used for that purpose.

Sounds an interesting hobby – is there a reason why it is skimmed after filling with lead as opposed to skimming prior to filling ?

I quite understand why grade matters and thanks for explaining.

BB

[roy entwistleParticipant @royentwistle24699]

Mike I always filled my weights with lead shot. You used to be able to get it from gunsmiths but I'm not sure whether you still can

Roy

[DMBParticipant @dmb]

Roy,

If 12 bore cartridges no longer filled with lead shot, I wonder what on earth is used as a substitute?

John

[Clive HartlandParticipant @clivehartland94829]

Steel shot or Bismuth. Barrels need to be marked for steel shot. Range is lowered for steel shot and most water shooting is now Bismuth shot. Lead kills birds by ingestion from dabbling in mud and/or being shot!

Clive

[roy entwistleParticipant @royentwistle24699]

Clive How does the weight of Bismuth shot compare with lead ? ( Just out of curiosity these days )

Roy

[John HaineParticipant @johnhaine32865]

Ditto, why would you need to skim it? Shouldn't get lead on the outside if poured carefully; it will probably tarnish but surely that can be removed by polishing?

[Mike CrossfieldParticipant @mikecrossfield92481]

I like to see a finely turned finish on weights and pendulums, so need a suitable grade of brass.

[Mike CrossfieldParticipant @mikecrossfield92481]

Also takes care of any minor surface imperfections.

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