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Cutting Brass Sheet
Posted: Thu Apr 06, 2017 2:58 pm
by Jake79
Hi Guy's
Apart from using tin snips, are there any other good tools out there for cutting thin brass sheet. The sheet tends to curl up when cutting with snips..
Cheers
Jake
Re: Cutting Brass Sheet
Posted: Thu Apr 06, 2017 7:42 pm
by BarryC
I have found that thin sheet can be scored much like styrene and bent back and forth using a straight edge of PE folding tool until it breaks. Thicker sheet, either snips and then straightened out the curl or a bandsaw, scroll saw, hacksaw or coping saw, I have used them all.
Barry
Re: Cutting Brass Sheet
Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2017 8:28 am
by Jake79
Hi Barry, the method you mention is probably the best way to go, I have a PE bending tool on order. A friend of mine mentioned using a piercing saw to cut the brass. I wanted to have a go at making some engine armour for my K/T quite simple really, so using the scores and bend method should do the trick for this jobby. Cheers jake
Re: Cutting Brass Sheet
Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2017 2:12 pm
by jarndice
Hi Jake, In my opinion PE Bending tools are worse than useless,
I gave up on mine a long time ago and now I rely on my "TAMIYA Bending Pliars" Brilliant and easy to use,
Shaun.
Re: Cutting Brass Sheet
Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2017 4:08 pm
by PainlessWolf
Good morning,
I'm with Jarndice on this. I did all of the PE for Mikes Tiger with a pair of Tamiya Bending Pliers. I liked them so much that I sprang for a Diamond File and Brass Cutting Scissors from Tamiya as well. They work wonderfully.
regards,
Painless
Re: Cutting Brass Sheet
Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2017 5:08 pm
by SgtMalarky
When making my Tiger 1 exhaust shrouds I ended up scoring and bending until it snapped. Brass work hardens and then becomes brittle so it snaps off without too much distortion.
Re: Cutting Brass Sheet
Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2017 5:59 pm
by BarryC
SgtMalarky wrote:When making my Tiger 1 exhaust shrouds I ended up scoring and bending until it snapped. Brass work hardens and then becomes brittle so it snaps off without too much distortion.
And if used properly a folding tool will eliminate the distortion!
Folding pliers are very handy for smaller pieces but long straight bends are best accomplished using a folding tool, IMHO.
Barry
Re: Cutting Brass Sheet
Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2017 7:13 pm
by dgsselkirk
What Barry said...
For thin brass, a steel ruler and scalpel and gently etch the first line and then progressively more force to cut through. Seems to prevent a lot of roll up. If you do get some roll up that is where the bend tool comes in handy too. Put it in curl down, screw down the tool and it will flatten it nicely. For thicker pieces I actually use a cut wheel and slowly cut along mark. You get very little roll up and if you do repeat step previous...
Re: Cutting Brass Sheet
Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2017 7:25 pm
by OnTrack
Super helpful post, thank you! My brass work has been less than ideal and I now have some proper tools in route.
Re: Cutting Brass Sheet
Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2017 7:31 pm
by Jake79
Thanks chaps great tips
