Thread: Brass Sheet Source, Ugly Pivot Hole Help!

Q #1: I found a wedge in an antique store and with the other purchase I was making the lady threw it in free. The blade's in recoverable shape, no doubt about it, but the scales were shot. Unpinning the only pin left (the pivot pin) revealed an ugly oblong hole where I was expecting a nice round pin hole. Can this be fixed? Does it need fixed? How would you fix it?

My first thought was, lead it in and drill it out. That's an old trick for body work on real steel. However, I don't put fenders to my face to shave with. Not so sure that would be a good fix here. Alternative idea I just thought of: epoxy and drill it out. Maybe that would work? I've never done a RAZOR restoration of any kind, so I appreciate your feedback.

Q #2: In planning out a design for new scales I'd like to back them with brass plates, and I'd like to shape my own washers (instead of normal round circles) and was wondering where you guys picked up sheets of brass. Brass rod I've seen in hardware stores, but I've never tried to find brass plates. Thanks again for any help.

Most hardware stores (around here anyway) have thin brass sheets right next to the brass rod.

As to the pivot, you can leave it as is if the hole's not too big, you can fill it with something and drill it out, or you can sleeve it. Check out this thread from Glen about sleeving: http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...zed-pivot.html
I recently did one that was really oversized, and epoxied two sizes of brass tubing into the tang, then sanded it down flush.

There's lots of ways to skin cats.

I can't really help you with this because I'm pretty new to this too, but I'd love to see what it looks like finished. It sounds interesting.

Originally Posted by HNSB

Most hardware stores (around here anyway) have thin brass sheets right next to the brass rod.

As to the pivot, you can leave it as is if the hole's not too big, you can fill it with something and drill it out, or you can sleeve it. Check out this thread from Glen about sleeving: http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...zed-pivot.html
I recently did one that was really oversized, and epoxied two sizes of brass tubing into the tang, then sanded it down flush.

There's lots of ways to skin cats.

Thanks. That was another idea I'd had, but I didn't know if I would be able to find brass tube that small (still don't). In my automotive restorations, I'd call that making a bushing, but you still have to fill in the slop space with something. J-B Weld is an epoxy I'm familiar with and have used with great results in certain applications. It's supposed to be almost insoluble, but is it safe for potentially getting dust from pivot wear on your skin? What do/did you use to fill in the hole? Thanks!

Originally Posted by hsudandy

I can't really help you with this because I'm pretty new to this too, but I'd love to see what it looks like finished. It sounds interesting.

I'm taking pics...though I don't have any with me to post. Once I get it done, however I get it done, I'll post some up.

Originally Posted by BigJim

Thanks. That was another idea I'd had, but I didn't know if I would be able to find brass tube that small (still don't). In my automotive restorations, I'd call that making a bushing, but you still have to fill in the slop space with something. J-B Weld is an epoxy I'm familiar with and have used with great results in certain applications. It's supposed to be almost insoluble, but is it safe for potentially getting dust from pivot wear on your skin? What do/did you use to fill in the hole? Thanks!

The small brass tubing is right next to the brass rod and the brass sheets.
FWIW I used JB weld on the one that I just finished. I'm not too worried about any dust off of it.

Honestly the "slop" is not all that critical, you will be getting close and that is good enough. Remember these razors have "slopped" around in there for a long time

Any kind of epoxy will work though, keep in mind you also don't want it too tight, a tiny bit of slop is neccesary...

Originally Posted by HNSB

The small brass tubing is right next to the brass rod and the brass sheets.

A dumb question perhaps, but I only know there are brass rods at the hardware store because that's where they keep the flat bar stock and round stock steel. I don't braise radiators--send them out to be cored and braised at the same time, so I've never gone there to look for razors. Truth be told right now I'm suffering from a lack of motivation and therefore thinking about razor restore instead of work I should be doing.

Originally Posted by HNSB

FWIW I used JB weld on the one that I just finished. I'm not too worried about any dust off of it.

I think I'll probably use JB myself. Might read over the package one time to see what kind of warnings it has for cured material. At least I have that handy. Though they probably have some at the hardware store right next to the brass tube, right next to the brass rods, right next to the other metal stock.

Thanks

I get my brass sheeting and tubing at Hobby Lobby.

FWIW;
I found myself needing some round stock steel yesterday so that gave me an excuse to also look for brass rod, tubing, and sheeting. I live in a small town (10K) with old fashioned hardware and farm supply stores. I came up empty!

Today the wife and I headed down to Sioux City (+/- 200K counting surrounding suburbs) looking for some things for the house we just moved into, and we took the time to check out the "Big Box" hardware stores-found a little sheeting at one, and some brass rods at that same store, but only down to 1/8th diameter.

Originally Posted by shooter74743

I get my brass sheeting and tubing at Hobby Lobby.

Swung by Hobby Lobby while we were out: Several small sheets in various thicknesses, several brass, copper, and aluminum channels, BUT NO 1/16 Rod! 1/16 tubing, and bigger tubing, but no rod!

I'm probably going to have to go online for this stuff. Anybody know of a good online vendor?