Thread: Is this brass suitable?

I wanted to check to make sure that this would be good for pins. The product description mentions a high zinc content, but I don't know if brass rod commonly has alot of zinc, or if this stuff was different for some reason. I'm looking at buying it here b/c this place has #0 washers, and I'd prefer not to have to make separate purchases.

Brass Rod Type C360 ASTM-B16 1/16" OD - SmallParts.com

Also, am I correct in thinking that the smallest quantity they have available is 30 feet (72inches X 5 units)?

Thanks for any replies.

Pete this is what you want, the stuff you listed is for cutting threads so it is most likely a harder compisition.... That is just a WAG on my part

Rods and Tubes for Knifemaking

These guys also carry the Nickel Silver rod...

Another option would be these: Straight Razor Maintenance & Repair Needs

They're already flattened on one end, so half the work is done for you. They also come with the bearing washers and a finish washer for the side you have to peen.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

Pete this is what you want, the stuff you listed is for cutting threads so it is most likely a harder compisition.... That is just a WAG on my part

Rods and Tubes for Knifemaking

These guys also carry the Nickel Silver rod...

Thanks for the reply. Interesting answer, I was actually worried that the zinc might make it too soft. Not that I'm saying you're incorrect, I have no idea, thats why I asked. Oh well, I guess I'll have to pick up some nickel silver, too.

Originally Posted by Pete_S

I was actually worried that the zinc might make it too soft.

I'm not sure of the exact relationship between zinc content and hardness, (since I've never worked with raw zinc) but zinc is what makes it brass.

Brass is not a metal. It's an alloy. Specifically, it's an alloy of copper and zinc. So, brass with no zinc is just copper.


However, what you linked, if I'm reading correctly, also includes lead, and I would think that even a small percentage of lead would soften the alloy quite a bit because I lead is MUCH softer than copper, and I think it's quite a bit softer than zinc also.

See I dont know anything about alloy scmalloy I read "made for cutting threads" the other is made for peening pins....

Hence I wrote WAG which is "Wild A$$ Guess"

No worries glen. I probably don't know much more about razor restoration than you do about alloys.

My WAG would be that something made for cutting threads would be softer because most hardened bolts are hardened after the threads are cut, just as razors are hardened after they have been ground for shape.

However, that's still a WAG, and either way, I completely agree with you that something sold specifically for pinning would be MUCH better than something sold for cutting threads. Seems like a no-brainer to me.

Cheers

Originally Posted by VeeDubb65

I'm not sure of the exact relationship between zinc content and hardness, (since I've never worked with raw zinc) but zinc is what makes it brass.

Brass is not a metal. It's an alloy. Specifically, it's an alloy of copper and zinc. So, brass with no zinc is just copper.


However, what you linked, if I'm reading correctly, also includes lead, and I would think that even a small percentage of lead would soften the alloy quite a bit because I lead is MUCH softer than copper, and I think it's quite a bit softer than zinc also.

Yeah, thats right. Somehow I completely forgot that. For some reason I only think of bronze when I think of copper alloys. I guess cause there wasn't a "brass age".

You're right about the lead too, that was another thing that made me wonder if it was too soft...

I got my rods and washers from mcmaster.com Worked fine for me.

Originally Posted by Leighton

I got my rods and washers from mcmaster.com Worked fine for me.

Which alloy do you buy for the rods? 260?