78 replies to this topic

[brnursebmt]

Where do I get these bronze rod for chassis building and what sizes are available? 
 
Any tips for building with bronze rod would be helpful as well. I've never used it but I'm wanting to try an F1 with bronze rails.
 
Thanks,
Bobby

[Pablo]

I can tell you my experience.

 

I bought a bunch of .063" bronze brazing rod. It is harder and more brittle than brass rod. If you bend it twice, it will snap.

 

I didn't like it. Maybe the stuff that other guys use like Steube is different than mine, I don't know. I give it a thumbs down.  

 

If you want to ask someone who uses it and likes it, ask Jairus.

 

I still have a bunch of it if you want some. Free to good home. 

[Bob Emott]

I think Tony P said that K&S has brass rod which is easer to bend and won't break...

[Cheater]

I used bronze welding rod for a while.

 

There was a welding supply place near Ga Tech that would sell it too me fairly cheaply by the pound. A pound lasted me a long time then...

 

Pablo's right, it is more brittle but I don't recall that being a big problem. It's stiffer than brass rod.

 

The stuff I had wasn't as nicely "finished" as K&S brass, with kind of a dull finish and a very faint spiral indentation that ran the length of the rods. Worn pulling die, I guess...

[Ralph Thorne]

Booby,

 

In case you your plan on building a IRRA retro chassis with it, according to their rules bronze rod is not legal.

[Bob Emott]

I Googled bronze rod and talked to one manufacturer and found, they do not make it in .063" diameter...

[Cheater]

Bob,

 

Search "brazing rod":

 

1/16" brazing rod

 

... just for one source. McMaster-Carr would have this too, I'll bet.

[brnursebmt]

But I do plan on building a IRRA F1. Maybe I have my wires crossed on this. I assumed that is what the retro racers used.... bronze rod. 
 
Whatever is being used is what I'm talking about. So what is being used?

[Samiam]

I have used it but I try to make large radius bends. I took an old pair of linemans pliers and ground a radius into one edge.
 
As far as legality goes, how would it be enforced? Can anyone tell the difference once built into a chassis?

[Ralph Thorne]

But I do plan on building a IRRA F1. Maybe I have my wires crossed on this. I assumed that is what the retro racers used.... bronze rod. 
 
Whatever is being used is what I'm talking about. So what is being used?

 

Both are being used; it just depends on the builder. I've had several builders tell me they used bronze not brass.

 

Dennis Samson who is very well-known for his chassis with rod in them states on his website he uses brass rod.

[Samiam]

Just checked my supply of bronze rod. It is .060" . It is also over 30 years old. Todays stuff may measure different.

[Cheater]

Guys,

This is actually an oversight in the rules, as the BoD discussed it many years ago and felt bronze was so close to brass on multiple levels it wasn't a problem.

The IRRA™ rules will be updated to include bronze rod as an allowed material shortly.

[JohnnySlotcar]

Time for a cast bronze motor bracket! LOL

[gotboostedvr6]

What about bronze chassis parts, not just rod?

[gascarnut]

Bobby,

Try a wedding supply store and ask for "bare low-fuming brazing rod".

It bend fine if you don't try to make tight bends and it solders easily.

Don't get the silicon bronze rod. That breaks easily and is more difficult to solder.

[Ralph Thorne]

So, Dennis, are you using brass or bronze?

[Cheater]

What about bronze chassis parts, not just rod?

For IRRA™, just bronze rod.

[JohnnySlotcar]

What do I do with my lost wax sand mold now?

[kvanpelt]

Whatever Dennis uses it is damn good!  

[Paul Jurczyszyn]

I use both brass and brazing rod. Brass is more forgiving little more $ not much brazing rod one bend that it... So you got to be precise with it. Not a real weight diff.

Parma Paul

[Rick]

Bronze is a brass alloy just like Naval brass and cartridge brass is different, yellow brass, red brass. etc. etc.

But we can make a mountain out of molehill, if that is the direction one wants to take...

[JerseyJohn]

Bronze is a brass alloy just like Naval brass and cartridge brass is different, yellow brass, red brass. etc. etc.

But we can make a mountain out of molehill, if that is the direction one wants to take...

 

Modern bronze is 88% copper and 12% tin, the brass we use most often as half hard is 70% copper and 30% zinc. Bronze is considered a form of brass. 

[gascarnut]

So, Dennis, are you using brass or bronze?

I use the low-fuming bare brazing rod referred to earlier.

I used to use the K&S brass rod, but found it too soft.

[Samiam]

What do I do with my lost wax sand mold now?

 

Still may be able to use it for the "other" IRRA. 

 

You may want to change your handle to "bronzerodman". 

[Ralph Thorne]

Thanks, Dennis. I heard you have used both so I wasn't really sure.