AmericanLongRifles Forums
General discussion => Gun Building => Topic started by: Tim Crosby on October 24, 2023, 12:37:11 AM
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(https://i.ibb.co/pKgRgzz/IMG-1970.jpg) (https://ibb.co/GMXtX22)
And I have two of these to do...
Tim C.
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It’s a joy. Iron really sucks though.
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I would rather file steel, but polish brass
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Everyone has their likes\dislikes. I love the look of steel......not a big fan of brass. Then again, finishing up steel is, to me, much more work than brass.
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Tim, is one of those pieces broken?
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Tim, is one of those pieces broken?
No, not yet.
Tim
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Get an apprentice, Tim!
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I would rather use iron heat beat and repeat.
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I am about to start on a couple of those and not looking forward to it. Has anyone tried annealing the brass to help the job along?
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I keep a separate set of files for brass. Files previously used on steel don't cut brass very well for me. But you probably know that.
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Also I can get a lot of the brass work accomplished using scrapers.
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As was said , I prefer to use scrapers first, and then follow with files. The files are used for brass only and cut extremely well. If I grab one of my files that I normally use for iron/steel , I can tell the difference immediately
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I'm trying a scraper to bring out the facets. Should it, the scraper have a burr on it or a square edge. I have found that on horn and wood I get a smoother finish with a square edge.
Tim
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I use stones. Garret Wade made stones in a variety of shapes and grits for this kind of work. I have no idea how to get them. Maybe check with them first.
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I never imagined using scrapers on brass!
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I never imagined using scrapers on brass!
I can't remember the reference, but one of the long rifle experts had made mention of examining originals and seeing signs of scrapers being used , especially on the inside surface of the trigger guard . The outside surface was filed and finished, but the inside still had the scraper marks
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Woods Bob,
I was going to mention scrapers yesterday but was in a bit of a rush.
Good sharp square corners..
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Can someone post a picture of the scraper please?
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Can someone post a picture of the scraper please?
Here is what I'm using, both with square edges:
(https://i.ibb.co/Z1mm2wx/IMG-1981.jpg) (https://ibb.co/sJHHWDq)
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Polishing the inner curve of a trigger guard is a pain in the neck and rump.IF it is a common job or if it's not here is a way to do it.
Buy a Jacobs or that type of chuck and make an adapter to thread it to a bench grinder and then a set of expanding rubber wheels
with abrasive sleeves.Harbor Freight was my choice because there is a new one about 5 miles from me.This will NOT work on a rectangular trigger guard. It is also good on a crescent butt plate in brass,silver or steel.
Bob Roller
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Not a builder, but abrasive [impregnated] rubber wheels in a variety of shapes and grits are marketed by Cratex and I'm sure others. Dentists use them, but they have their uses for some of our jobs as well.
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Thanks for the picture
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I enjoy brass but the old Bronze sucked. Yes good sharp files are a must for me. I hope to never get cheap "brass" again. Ever.
Jeff
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I knock the flashing off with a File, then switch to 150 grit emery paper backed up with a flat file. After that I use progressively finer grit wet/dry paper.
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Tim, from an old post of mine........ (original here.......https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=75691.msg751768#msg751768 )
After initial shaping with files, etc., I scrape most of the surface of brass and some steel parts. I use the non sharpened edge of a utility blade. This is a blade being used to scrape brass. I use the same tool for brass, wood, and steel. I stone the two 45 degree edges to a sharp 90 and use both sides of those. Scraping a large butt plate takes about 30 minutes. Scraping a whole stock to get out file, rasp, or carving tool marks takes about an hour...more if there is a lot of intricate carving to scrape around. Then I use sandpaper where ever necessary or useful.
Here I am scraping a butt plate with the angled edge of a box cutter blade. It takes off brass more rapidly and more smoothly than a file and leaves a finish that does not take too much more work with the abrasive paper or sticks. I do the inside of the trigger guard bow like this as well. If the part is investment cast, I can start right in with the scraper. If it is sand cast, I usually hit all the surfaces with a file to knock down the roughness, and then start with the scraper.
Wood comes off really fast and I have to be careful not to take too much.
(https://preview.ibb.co/mXGpwk/IMG_3163.jpg) (http://ibb.co/gGuL2Q)
(https://preview.ibb.co/djdDNQ/IMG_3164.jpg) (http://ibb.co/b3LhGk)
As I said, I scrape some steel parts as well. You just have to refresh the edge of the scraper much more often.
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The rough shaping, removing casting marks and shaping, I understand. Shaping the facets/panels is what I am having trouble with.
Tim
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I’ll have to give scrapers on brass a try. New one on me too.
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I had a problem with chatter when I tried using scrapers on brass. I do a lot of scraping of wood and it was undoubtedly a technique issue. Which works best on brass, square edged or hook? Any suggestions regarding technique?
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I use a set of 180mm Diamond Files for many instances of this odious task. These work better than backed grit paper for many jobs.
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71FeD3k5XRL._AC_UF894,1000_QL80_.jpg)
https://www.amazon.com/Diamond-Handles-Professional-Quality-Sharpening/dp/B0735X9Z9H/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2BL24CFPITHWC&keywords=7+inch+diamond+file+set&qid=1699484458&refinements=p_72%3A1248909011&rnid=1248907011&s=hi&sprefix=%2Caps%2C193&sr=1-2
I use the Eze Lap Diamond Needle File 600# Fine (Red) and 240# Coourse (Purple) sets for other Jobs not suited for the above set
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Coating the file with soapstone helps keep from clogging it when filling soft metals.
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Dad always instructed us to use chalk.
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An interesting thing I found about filing brass. I was working on a piece in my vise one morning, and the file/brass were making a chirk-chirk-chirk sound. I heard something outside, and when I looked, there was a flock of turkeys right outside, chirking right back at me. New hunting technique!
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;D - whenever filing brass in turkey season, keep your turkey gun handy.