RMweb Gold Re6/6 Posted October 11, 2012 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 11, 2012 I would like some advice please on the best method to apply heat evenly on 12 thou (IIRC) brass in order to form an approximately 280mm long 4mm coach roof. I assume that an even dark red colour would be neccessary all along the length at the same time for the process to be successful. Using a GW Models 12" roller machine has been tried originally to get the shape without annealing the brass but was unsuccessful as the centre radius did not end up as much as at the ends. Thanks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernard Lamb Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 Back in my working days I would have put it in a muffle furnace. Not a lot of help unless you can locate one in a local college science department where they might be willing to help. Bernard Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenton Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 Given that heat transfers pretty quickly through brass, I'm not sure an even heat is required. I could be very wrong as I simply just do not do coaches in any way so that is quite a length but if no better suggestion comes in, I would simply use the mark 1 blowtorch/soldering flame and heat it up to usual glowing red working it up and down the length. IIR my physics the annealing process is no undone by further heating and only hardened by bending, beating or stretching (other techniques described in 50 shades of grey might work) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Cram Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 I have just used the gas ring on the cooker. The largest one work pretty well. As Kenton says brass hardens by working it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisf Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 Branchlines sell a brass sheet with closely spaced etched lines on one side so that it may be curved into the shape of a roof. I have a couple of these in the "courage awaited" drawer. Chris Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katier Posted October 11, 2012 Share Posted October 11, 2012 Yep you don't need it all red at once, and I also use a gas burner on a cooker. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
N15class Posted October 12, 2012 Share Posted October 12, 2012 I always use a big blow torch the sort used for soldering plumbing fittings. I lay the brass on a bed of dry sand and waft the flame up and down the length warms up very quickly and evenly. Hot sand is also good for blueing silversteel. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Re6/6 Posted October 12, 2012 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted October 12, 2012 Many thanks all. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Turnbull Posted October 12, 2012 Share Posted October 12, 2012 I would be nervous trying to anneal brass that thin as it will probably distort. May I suggest you lay the roof on some soft cloths, dusters perhaps, and roll the centre with a brass rod of suitable diameter, 3/4" ought to be about right, and longer than the roof. Press hard, work it from side to side and this will form a sharper radius in the centre. Chris Turnbull Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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