Just wondering what the best sources are for good brass in various thicknesses. I like building in .032" and .050" primarily. Typically use 1 inch wide, 1/2 inch wide, and 1/4 inch wide pieces.
Where do you buy brass sheet from?
#1
Posted 10 February 2016 - 10:25 PM
obSCEne Chassis
HVR BB Fronts
Bodies by Weaver
"There is no such thing as a race you are destined to lose. You will always have a chance."
#2
Posted 10 February 2016 - 11:38 PM
I don't know of .050" in precut strips.
Mike Swiss
Inventor of the Low CG guide flag 4/20/18
IRRA® Components Committee Chairman
Five-time USRA National Champion (two G7, one G27, two G7 Senior)
Two-time G7 World Champion (1988, 1990), eight G7 main appearances
Eight-time G7 King track single lap world record holder
17B West Ogden Ave., Westmont, IL 60559, (708) 203-8003, mikeswiss86@hotmail.com (also my PayPal address)
Note: Send all USPS packages and mail to: 692 Citadel Drive, Westmont, Illinois 60559
#3
Posted 11 February 2016 - 12:05 AM
HVR has a big selection!
Mike Katz
Scratchbuilts forever!!
#4
Posted 11 February 2016 - 12:06 AM
Do a Google or Bing search for .050" sheet brass. onlinemetals.com is one place that might have it.
As Mike said, I don't think you'll find .050" strips available as a regular shape. Some places might be willing to cut strips for you.
Mike Katz named a raceway above that has it.
I intend to live forever! So far, so good.
#5
Posted 11 February 2016 - 01:12 AM
Local Ace hardware has a K&S rack. Call a store in your area.
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#6
Posted 11 February 2016 - 05:55 AM
Ace.
Anthony 'Tonyp' Przybylowicz
5/28/50-12/20/21
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#7
Posted 11 February 2016 - 06:12 AM
Ace will have the .032" but not the .050" material.
I intend to live forever! So far, so good.
#9
Posted 11 February 2016 - 08:35 AM
e-slotcar.com
Paul Wolcott
#10
Posted 11 February 2016 - 10:06 AM
K&S does not have .050" brass, and MMC (as well as every other source I have found) only has that thickness in larger sheets.
James, I have a small band saw in my basement and access to a milling machine. If you need something special, let's talk on the 28th. Maybe a little barter?
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#11
Posted 11 February 2016 - 11:59 AM
That's what I like about the Slotblog community. You ask a question and you get, not one answer, but a bunch of them. Thanks, guys!
Now a question based on Billy Watson's McMaster-Carr link.
They have available several varieties of brass, viz:
260 brass
353 brass
360 brass
385 brass
464 brass
What's the best types(s) for slot car chassis use?
- James Grandi likes this
Gregory Wells
Never forget that first place goes to the racer with the MOST laps, not the racer with the FASTEST lap
#12
Posted 11 February 2016 - 01:40 PM
Once we get caught up with production I plan on offering the same brass we use in the Duffy kits in sheets as well as possibly strips.
One thing I have learned over the last 60 days is that brass can have the same identifying designation and not the same hardness and psi ratings. The standard is not so standard and where it is manufactured is the determining factor.
- Cheater, tonyp, Half Fast and 3 others like this
Matt Sheldon
#13
Posted 11 February 2016 - 01:45 PM
Once we get caught up with production I plan on offering the same brass we use in the Duffy kits in sheets as well as possibly strips.
Good on you for carrying on Duffy's (RIP) work. I look forward to it.
Cheers,
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Bill Botjer
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#14
Posted 11 February 2016 - 02:47 PM
So what brass is it you use, Matt Sheldon?
#15
Posted 11 February 2016 - 03:03 PM
I talk to Matt quite a bit, and he's been working really hard on getting Duffy's products back out there.
.050" thick brass is tricky, did you ask, Eric G? He use to sell a .050" kit.
- tonyp likes this
#16
Posted 11 February 2016 - 03:17 PM
So what brass is it you use, Matt Sheldon?
Proprietary information.
I will not debate the brass we use compared to others, but I will say this. I spent quite a bit of money to have various companies' materials tested to see who uses what. There is a huge variation between chassis manufacturers and since all have had success it is hard to say one is better than another.
- Cheater and James Grandi like this
Matt Sheldon
#17
Posted 11 February 2016 - 03:34 PM
Parma brass chassis parts, some of the best in the '70s and '80s, were advertised as being "full hard" brass. Not a term you find still used today, but Al Penrose (BWA) once said "engraver's brass" was nearly the same thing. Over the years, I've heard K&S brass mentioned as being "half-hard", but I don't know what it actually is.
I intend to live forever! So far, so good.
#18
Posted 11 February 2016 - 03:43 PM
Of minor note, be careful buying K&S brass stock at Hobby Lobby.
I made that mistake when I needed a certain size ASAP.
They stock a "full soft" type which is apparently designed for craft use and maximum bendability.
- Cheater, tonyp and Matt Sheldon like this
Mike Swiss
Inventor of the Low CG guide flag 4/20/18
IRRA® Components Committee Chairman
Five-time USRA National Champion (two G7, one G27, two G7 Senior)
Two-time G7 World Champion (1988, 1990), eight G7 main appearances
Eight-time G7 King track single lap world record holder
17B West Ogden Ave., Westmont, IL 60559, (708) 203-8003, mikeswiss86@hotmail.com (also my PayPal address)
Note: Send all USPS packages and mail to: 692 Citadel Drive, Westmont, Illinois 60559
#19
Posted 11 February 2016 - 04:47 PM
.050" is not a standard thickness. .0475" is, being nominally 3/64" thick.
#20
Posted 11 February 2016 - 05:00 PM
Online Metals advertises both .045" and .050".
It wouldn't shock me if they ship 3/64" for both.
Brass sheet tolerances aren't real terrific.
You can get .040" that measures .037" or .038".
- tonyp and James Grandi like this
Mike Swiss
Inventor of the Low CG guide flag 4/20/18
IRRA® Components Committee Chairman
Five-time USRA National Champion (two G7, one G27, two G7 Senior)
Two-time G7 World Champion (1988, 1990), eight G7 main appearances
Eight-time G7 King track single lap world record holder
17B West Ogden Ave., Westmont, IL 60559, (708) 203-8003, mikeswiss86@hotmail.com (also my PayPal address)
Note: Send all USPS packages and mail to: 692 Citadel Drive, Westmont, Illinois 60559
#21
Posted 11 February 2016 - 05:35 PM
K&S does not have .050" brass, and MMC (as well as every other source I have found) only has that thickness in larger sheets.
James, I have a small band saw in my basement and access to a milling machine. If you need something special, let's talk on the 28th. Maybe a little barter?
VW, I'll be talking to you for sure. Both tools I don't have - unless you count the giant 50 -ear old Bridgeport in the garage, which is a little overkill and hasn't run in about 15 years LOL.
I talk to Matt quite a bit, and he's been working really hard on getting Duffy's products back out there.
.050" thick brass is tricky, did you ask, Eric G? He use to sell a .050" kit.
I have talked to him about brass a few times, I don't remember a source for it but his .050" plates were a water jet piece if I remember right. He's since switched to buying from a different place.
I'm surprised .050" isn't more readily available - there are quite a few kits and brackets made in that thickness. Thanks for the all the responses!
obSCEne Chassis
HVR BB Fronts
Bodies by Weaver
"There is no such thing as a race you are destined to lose. You will always have a chance."
#22
Posted 11 February 2016 - 05:37 PM
Dennis David
#23
Posted 11 February 2016 - 06:04 PM
The drive in our Bridgeport finally ate itself up, so we got a newer, and slightly larger ENCO. No such thing as overkill. LOL.
#24
Posted 11 February 2016 - 11:12 PM
Contact me, James, I have .032", .040", and .050" in stock...
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Rick Bennardo
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#25
Posted 12 February 2016 - 11:17 AM
Do a Google or Bing search for .050" sheet brass. onlinemetals.com is one place that might have it.
As Mike said, I don't think you'll find .050" strips available as a regular shape. Some places might be willing to cut strips for you.
Mike Katz named a raceway above that has it.
I have ordered brass from them. I got .050" cut in 1/4" and 3/4" for chassis building. Their brass is plastic protected on one side..
John Chas Molnar
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