Thread: Annealing brass pin stock.

Anyone tried annealing their brass pin stock before making rivets? I've found the stock I get at Hobby Lobby to be pretty brittle without softening the temper on it a little with a propane torch.

The first brass rod I ever got was in a bin at the hardware store. I think it may have been an alloy of something harder than normal brass.
I have not since run across brass that required annealing.

In hindsight, the original brass may have not needed it either. I used to cut my pins longer than I do now - it's possible that most of the problems I attributed to hardness were actually related to pins that were too long.

Like HNSB said..if the pins are cut too long they may appear brittle. I've also found if I'm not "gentle" enough with my tapping then the edges will seem to show a heavy hand.

Originally Posted by Kirdro

Anyone tried annealing their brass pin stock before making rivets? I've found the stock I get at Hobby Lobby to be pretty brittle without softening the temper on it a little with a propane torch.

I used to anneal brass cartridge cases that had hardened from being reloaded and resized several time. The necks would split. The way I was taught to anneal brass is heat it red hot and then quench it in cool water. I learned to stand my rifle cases in a deep skillet full of water leaving just the necks exposed. I'd heat 'em red hot with a propane torch and tump 'em over into the water.

Worked like a hose and kept the necks from splitting.

Same procedure of red heat and quick quench should work on any brass. Of course if you take it much past dull red, it'll melt. If you decide to try that, do it with subdued lighting so you can see the color of the metal easier.

I buy my brass rod at the hobby shop . Never needed to anneal it though. Brazing wire on the other hand is quite hard.

I tried both methods (with and without annealing) and eventually concluded that annealing isn't necessary.