How do people use brass stock for scratchbuilding? Like, how do you cut sheets into shapes and stuff? [D)] I imagine my poor little X-Acto would get dull trying to scribe lines, and I don’t have a zillion-dollar diamond-tipped DeWalt cutoff chop saw. Ok, I can see using the Dremel cutoff wheel for thin brass rods and the like, but what about cutting brass sheet? Don’t handheld sheetmetal cutters bend the piece you’re working on? Plus, they aren’t really that precise… I only ask b/c I think using brass could open up a whole new world of scratchbuilding for people like me, especially on parts where styrene might bend under weight. The soldering part seems easy enough… Thanks!
Best way to cut sheet is with a Brake. Unfortunately that is a fairly expensive piece of equipment. Scribe a straight line on both sides of the sheet where you want to cut it then lay it on the edge of a table or clean cut piece of wood with the scribe line right on the edge. lay another piece of clean cut wood on top of it lined up with the cut line. Clamp everything securely and bend the sheet - it’ll snap off at the scribe line. Luckily I have a Brake in the garage for cutting aluminum but it’s eight feet long which is just a little overkill for this hobby.
Actually brass sheets are quite soft…You can even cut it with a pair of scissors and trim it with a file. Bend into shape with an Olfa cutter. That’s what I do anyway…Never had any problem with that…lol
I would agree with Swanny on doing it that way…but I have also used scissors…just depends on the thickness of the brass sheeting.
Best to have a break but as already noted most of them are huge and overkill, the “hobby” ones are just outrageously priced
ShamRage:
I use scissors for the thinner sheet, and aviation tin snips and files for larger pieces or thicker sheet.
I fold the parts by holding the sheet along the fold line between two aluminum blocks, and bend away, sort of like bending PE.
BTW, the only stupid question is one unasked,
Bruce
The one Swanny uses is a heavy duty one, not really made for the modeling industry (we use the same type at work to make aluminum aircraft panels). I did see a couple offered in Micro Mark on pg 43. One is a combo shear and bender for $160.00 the other is just a shear for $70.00. Also there are some saw blades for a dremel that may do the job as well. I have never had to cut brass stock, but if I ever did I’d pick up a shear, it would save me nights of madness!!!
Swanny
If you had a foot shear, you’d find that cutting metal is a lot easier. Brakes are really for bending sheet metal. (would really like to have a 52" foot shear and a 56" finger brake). For modeling use a throatless shear would probably work even better and probably be cheaper.
Thanks everyone for the tips. I noticed the website was down for 2 days and I couldn’t wait to hear the responses. Thanks. SR