"Doughy " Brass ?

[n stephenson]

Since I build a lot of different styles of guns , I use buttplates and gaurds from different sources, as the ones I need aren't always available from one source  . Any one else find that when engraving some mounts , mostly investment castings , that instead of a smooth curl , the chip comes out more like a crusty, doughy curl . The cut doesn't usually look that bad , but I notice my graver dulls quicker in this metal .This metal seems harder too.  Any remedies or solutions for better results?

[Pukka Bundook]

Good morning  N Stephenson,

The brass that chips may be a mixed recycled alloy, but am no expert.
All I can think of is to anneal the brass before you start work on it.
That should help, but very soft brass is a bit harder to engrave, as the tool wants to sink more.

Trial and error on a waste piece maybe?

Best, and good luck!

Richard.

[deepcreekdale]

Seems to be hit or miss on castings. Most castings seem to engrave Ok but occasionally I will run into one that seems to have inclusions or hard spots, I have even had some that looked nice and smooth and when engraved, had big chunks tear out. I think Richard has a good point, might be impurities from recycle brass. Reeves Groening's castings, at least the old ones done by the foundry he used to use, were the best, they were smooth and soft.

[Mike Brooks]

I don't have a problem with brass investment castings. My problem is with Goehring's brass. So soft I can't engrave it.

[Hungry Horse]

Investment castings are rarely brass. They are generally some type of bronze, which can make filing, polishing, and engraving more problematic. I prefer sand cast yellow brass, but then I’m not building guns to sell, where the time to clean up these rough castings make it cost prohibitive. I also don’t get all upset when I uncover a small void, or pit, in these castings, because many of the originals had these defects as well.

  Hungry Horse

[Nate McKenzie]

Knob Mountain castings are a pleasure to work with and engrave.
http://knobmountainmuzzleloading.com/

[jerrywh]

I don't have a problem with brass investment castings. My problem is with Goehring's brass. So soft I can't engrave it.

   If your graver has a tendency to dive in soft brass try a 55° or a 60° face angle on it. The steeper the face angle the less tendency the graver has to dive.

[Mike Brooks]

I don't have a problem with brass investment castings. My problem is with Goehring's brass. So soft I can't engrave it.

   If your graver has a tendency to dive in soft brass try a 55° or a 60° face angle on it. The steeper the face angle the less tendency the graver has to dive.

Correctamundo Jerry. I always reshape my gravers before I attack that stuff other wise they dive straight down ad that's it. I still don't get results I like.

[jerrywh]

 If you think brass is tough to engrave you should try gold.

[Mike Brooks]

If you think brass is tough to engrave you should try gold.

Never done it, I'll have to take your word for it.

[Daryl]

I thank you Jerry for the engraving words of wisdom. I would like to try engraving gold - now I need someone to send me some, just for practicing on?

[jerrywh]

You can practice on pure lead to see how gold engraves.

[deepcreekdale]

I  have always done as Jerry advises when engraving softer material once an engraver friend of mine showed me. I never have had a problem with the tip diving in since. I just use a lighter touch, you're not driving railroad spikes with your hammer. Dead soft sterling silver is a delight to engrave.

[M. E. Pering]

I gotta wonder if there might be a little too much zinc in the alloy.

[jerrywh]

 Sometimes the zinc in brass will be in pockets. or in small inclusions