Jump to content




Photo

Where do you buy brass sheet from?


  • Please log in to reply
31 replies to this topic

#1 James Grandi

James Grandi

    On The Lead Lap

  • Full Member
  • PipPipPipPip
  • 473 posts
  • Joined: 31-May 10
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Cranston, RI

Posted 10 February 2016 - 10:25 PM

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.


James Grandi
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 MSwiss

MSwiss

    Grand Champion Poster

  • IRRA National Director
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 25,614 posts
  • Joined: 16-April 06
  • Gender:Male

Posted 10 February 2016 - 11:38 PM

I carry 1/4", 1/2" & 3/4", in .032", and am just out in 1".

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 slotcarone

slotcarone

    Posting Leader

  • Full Member
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 3,931 posts
  • Joined: 23-January 07
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Dutchess County, NY

Posted 11 February 2016 - 12:05 AM

HVR has a big selection!

 

:)


Mike Katz

Scratchbuilts forever!!


#4 Bill from NH

Bill from NH

    Age scrubs away speed!

  • Full Member
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 14,274 posts
  • Joined: 02-August 07
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:New Boston, NH

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. :)


Bill Fernald
 
I intend to live forever!  So far, so good.  :laugh2:  :laugh2: 

#5 Mark Wampler

Mark Wampler

    Grand Champion Poster

  • Member at Peace
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 7,206 posts
  • Joined: 17-July 07
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Santa Maria, CA

Posted 11 February 2016 - 01:12 AM

Local Ace hardware has a K&S rack. Call a store in your area.


  • Tex and olescratch like this
Mark Wampler
?/?/1950-3/8/22
Requiescat in Pace

#6 tonyp

tonyp

    Grand Champion Poster

  • Member at Peace
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 15,325 posts
  • Joined: 12-February 07
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Sanford, FL, land of lizards and big roaches

Posted 11 February 2016 - 05:55 AM

Ace.


Anthony 'Tonyp' Przybylowicz

5/28/50-12/20/21
Requiescat in Pace


#7 Bill from NH

Bill from NH

    Age scrubs away speed!

  • Full Member
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 14,274 posts
  • Joined: 02-August 07
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:New Boston, NH

Posted 11 February 2016 - 06:12 AM

Ace will have the .032" but not the .050" material.


Bill Fernald
 
I intend to live forever!  So far, so good.  :laugh2:  :laugh2: 

#8 airhead

airhead

    Race Leader

  • Full Member
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 730 posts
  • Joined: 13-January 09
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Prattville, AL

Posted 11 February 2016 - 08:04 AM

McMaster-Carr.


  • Phil Hackett likes this
Billy Watson

#9 Pablo

Pablo

    Builder

  • Administrator
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 18,353 posts
  • Joined: 20-February 06
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Cleveland, Tennessee

Posted 11 February 2016 - 08:35 AM

e-slotcar.com


Paul Wolcott


#10 John Streisguth

John Streisguth

    Johnny VW

  • Full Member
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 5,638 posts
  • Joined: 20-November 08
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Bangor, PA

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?  

 

:)


  • Cheater and James Grandi like this
"Whatever..."

#11 Cheater

Cheater

    Headmaster of the asylum

  • Root Admin
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 25,539 posts
  • Joined: 14-February 06
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Norcross, GA

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 Matt Sheldon

Matt Sheldon

    Duffy's HMI Executive

  • Full Member
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 2,237 posts
  • Joined: 19-January 10
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Platteville, CO

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 Half Fast

Half Fast

    Keeper Of Odd Knowledge

  • Subscriber
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 2,611 posts
  • Joined: 02-May 07
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:NYC, Long Island

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,


  • SlowBeas and Brian Cochrane like this

Bill Botjer

Faster then, wiser now.

The most dangerous form of ignorance is not knowing that you don't know anything!

Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity

 

 

 
 

#14 Upfront slot cars

Upfront slot cars

    On The Lead Lap

  • Full Member
  • PipPipPipPip
  • 269 posts
  • Joined: 05-March 13
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Nashville, TN

Posted 11 February 2016 - 02:47 PM

So what brass is it you use, Matt Sheldon?


Andrew Ford

#15 Cap Henry

Cap Henry

    CHR Cars

  • Subscriber
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 3,357 posts
  • Joined: 25-October 08
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Bellevue, OH

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 Matt Sheldon

Matt Sheldon

    Duffy's HMI Executive

  • Full Member
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 2,237 posts
  • Joined: 19-January 10
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Platteville, CO

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 Bill from NH

Bill from NH

    Age scrubs away speed!

  • Full Member
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 14,274 posts
  • Joined: 02-August 07
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:New Boston, NH

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.


Bill Fernald
 
I intend to live forever!  So far, so good.  :laugh2:  :laugh2: 

#18 MSwiss

MSwiss

    Grand Champion Poster

  • IRRA National Director
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 25,614 posts
  • Joined: 16-April 06
  • Gender:Male

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 Dave Crevie

Dave Crevie

    Posting Leader

  • Full Member
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 3,890 posts
  • Joined: 16-February 09

Posted 11 February 2016 - 04:47 PM

.050" is not a standard thickness. .0475" is, being nominally 3/64" thick.



#20 MSwiss

MSwiss

    Grand Champion Poster

  • IRRA National Director
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 25,614 posts
  • Joined: 16-April 06
  • Gender:Male

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 James Grandi

James Grandi

    On The Lead Lap

  • Full Member
  • PipPipPipPip
  • 473 posts
  • Joined: 31-May 10
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Cranston, RI

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!


James Grandi
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 Dennis David

Dennis David

    Posting Leader

  • Subscriber
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 3,424 posts
  • Joined: 05-April 06
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:SF Bay Area

Posted 11 February 2016 - 05:37 PM

Look forward to seeing what Matt produces. Seems that there is a market for this.

Dennis David
    
 


#23 John Streisguth

John Streisguth

    Johnny VW

  • Full Member
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 5,638 posts
  • Joined: 20-November 08
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Bangor, PA

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.


"Whatever..."

#24 Rick

Rick

    Grand Champion Poster

  • Full Member
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 8,844 posts
  • Joined: 17-February 06
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:PA

Posted 11 February 2016 - 11:12 PM

Contact me, James, I have .032", .040", and .050" in stock...


  • Half Fast and CoastalAngler1 like this

Rick Bennardo
"Professional Tinkerer"
scrgeo@comcast.net
R-Geo Products
LIKE my Facebook page for updates, new releases, and sales: Rgeo Slots...
 
Lead! The easy equalizer...


#25 JerseyJohn

JerseyJohn

    Jersey John

  • Subscriber
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 4,163 posts
  • Joined: 05-September 07
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Northern NJ

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

"Certified Newark Wise Guy since 1984" (retired)
"Certified Tony P Chassis God 2007.2023
" Owner / Sponsor, TEAM JERSEY-TEAM AUSTRALIA 

Jerseyjohnchassis.com

 blog.jpg






Electric Dreams Online Shop