Brass is a popular metal alloy that can be used in a variety of products and projects. It is prized for its gold-like appearance, often being utilised for decorative purposes, as well as its inability to cause a spark, which makes it the perfect material for environments with flammable or explosive components. Working with brass at home is easy if adequate safety procedures are followed and the correct cutting equiment is purchased.
When cutting any metal, the correct safety equipment should be worn so as to protect the eyes and hands from damage. Metal shavings could pose a serious hazard to the eye area, and so protective goggles must be worn when cutting your brass rod, tube or sheet. A breathing mask may also be recommended for persons working in very close proximity to the item they are cutting.
While the following three popular forms of the metal may require different tools and techniques in order to cut them down to size, all of them should be filed with a metal file or sanding belt upon completion to smooth over any sharp edges and prevent injury whilst handling.
Cutting a Brass Rod
A brass rod can be cut in two different fashions, depending on the thickness of the item. While a thin piece of brass rod or wire can be clipped with a sturdy pair of pliers, a thicker piece requires a little bit more man power. For pieces of brass too thick to be trimmed with pliers, a hacksaw and vise are the recommended pieces of equipment. Your hacksaw should be as sharp as possible, and the vise must be firmly in place before you begin working.
Cutting a Brass Tube
A brass tube is similar to a brass rod; however, it is hollow instead of solid all the way through. In order to cut through the tube properly, the tube must be secured without causing it to cave in. A groove in a piece of wood and a steady, but gentle, hand would work best for this purpose. Your saw should be sharp enough to cut through the metal without too much resistance. Cutting through one side of the tubing at a time and then rotating the tube should prevent the saw from becoming stuck. A specialised tool known as a tube cutter can also be used on this type of brass, but inexperienced users may find that it is easier to damage the tube by accidentally crimping the ends closed.
Cutting a Brass Sheet
As with the other forms of brass discussed in this article, a hacksaw is an appropriate tool for cutting a brass sheet. However, in order to secure the brass sheet for cutting with a saw, it should be placed between two pieces of plywood and then set in a vise to prevent it from bending or denting while being worked on. Brass sheets can also be cut with metal shears, as long as the shears are sharp enough and the metal thin enough to be cut by hand.
Contact a professional to learn more about brass cutting.
Share21 February 2018
Gaining a good understanding of industrial supplies can really help a man to get ahead. I'm Jo and while I do not work directly in the industrial equipment or supply business, I have learnt a lot from my brother who works in a large factory in Sydney. I would often spend weekends down there watching the guys at work. Now and again, my brother would ask me to help him out so we could try and find a good deal on a new piece of kit. I did it, and I learnt a lot while I did it. I hope you like my blog.