Replies

1. 
   John_D | Aug 08, 2006 06:49am | #1

   I've not bought brass from them, but I've bought other things and found them very easy to work with:  McMaster-Carr.  Just a quick look, seems they sell nine different brass alloys, in sheets, bars, strips, foil, rods, hex bars, tubes, u-channels, 90° angles, balls, wire and ingots.  They sell with the following finishes: unpolished, brushed, mirror-like, reflective, and ground.

   No affiliation, just a satisfied customer who has felt pretty good to find some pretty obscure stuff there.

   My goal is for my work to outlast me.  Expect my joinery to get simpler as time goes by.
2. 
   sapwood | Aug 08, 2006 07:35am | #2

   http://www.alaskancopper.com

1. 
   bob_barnett | Aug 08, 2006 02:25pm | #3

   Thanks for the information.  Great sources.

   Bob

3. 
   citrouille | Aug 08, 2006 08:03pm | #4

   Check out the "Yarde drop zone" on line, great deals in all kind of metals.

   C.

4. 
   dwolsten | Aug 08, 2006 10:19pm | #5

   Sorry to hijack the discussion, but does anyone know if you can solder a wire to a brass plate? I want to use a brass plate connected to a touchswitch on a lamp I'm building.

1. 
   JohnWW | Aug 08, 2006 11:28pm | #6

   Very easy, both copper wire and brass solder easily.  If the brass piece is much larger than a dime you will probably need to use a torch rather than an electrical soldering iron to get the brass part hot enough.  Clean the parts well, Scotchbrite is a good abrasive, and then use a rosin cored electronic solder to make the join.

   John W. 

1. 
   dwolsten | Aug 09, 2006 12:03am | #7

   Excellent. Thanks for the reply! Will the heating affect the color of the brass?
   I'm thinking of a brass plate about 1" x 3". Does anyone know where to get something like this in small quantities?

1. 
   dgreen | Aug 09, 2006 12:08am | #8

   Thats a common size for trophys and award plaques. I would think a trophy supply or an engraver could fix you up.
   Since the house is on fire let us warm ourselves. ~Italian Proverb

2. 
   JohnWW | Aug 09, 2006 12:17am | #9

   If you don't heat the piece too far beyond the point of melting the solder you shouldn't permanently discolor the brass.  Any mild discoloring is on the surface only and will buff out with Scotchbrite or steel wool.  To keep the brass shiny it will have to be lacquered.  You can get metal lacquer in spray cans at most hardware stores.

   If you have a hobby shop nearby check with them for brass, they often stock sheet brass in a 3"x5" or 4"x6" size.  It may be more expensive per square inch than ordering it on line, but it will be cheaper overall because of the smaller size and no shipping charges.

   John White, Shop Manager, Fine Woodworking Magazine

3. 
   skidkid | Aug 10, 2006 01:53am | #11

   I used a brass kick plate off an old door and cut it into strips for name plates; brass is soft and cuts easily.

   Pasa bon tarde.

1. 
   dwolsten | Aug 10, 2006 02:04am | #12

   Thanks to all for the suggestions and information about brass. I'll check out a local trophy shop and see if I can get some plates there cheaply.

5. 
   douglas2cats | Aug 09, 2006 12:45am | #10

   I've ordered a few things from this place before and been happy with their service

   http://www.onlinemetals.com

    

   If you build it he will come.