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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Sydney
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    57

    Default Restoring a bronze motor boat steering wheel

    I am looking for advice/assistance in restoring a bronze steering wheel for a boat.
    Here is a link to the boaties forum, which expands on the task...
    https://www.woodworkforums.com/f32/ad...1/#post1041061
    Any advice or assistance appreciated.

    Regards

    Gordon

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    sydney
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    64
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    3,566

    Default

    I dont mind having a look at it for you as far as the metal side goes,a lot will depend on how easy it is to remove the RUSTED bolts.

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    57

    Default

    Dear Pipeclay
    The bolts are well and truly corroded so it is unlikely that they can be removed intact.
    I thought the best course would be to but them off, drill them out and then re-tap to clean out the residue of the bolt.
    Does that make sense?
    Also, whereabouts are you in Sydney?

    Regards

    Gordon

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
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    Default

    That method is ok or it maybe possable to Spark Erode them but the cost might be too high.
    Im at Erskine Park.

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    NSW
    Posts
    356

    Default

    Just cut them off , drill them out and retapp to a larger thread diameter .
    Then machine up some new bolts from naval brass.
    The volume of a pizza of thickness 'a' and radius 'z' is given by pi z z a.

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    57

    Default Thank you

    With Retromilling's advice in the other thread I ran at https://www.woodworkforums.com/f32/ad...1/#post1041061
    I will be able to have ago at it myself.

    Thanks all

    Gordon

  8. #7
    Dave J Guest

    Default

    Before you try unscewing the bolts, heat the steel bolts to red hot and let cool, this will help break the rusted threads free. Works most of the time for me.
    Dave

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    NSW
    Posts
    356

    Default

    Just be a bit careful with heating it up as steel at cherry red is at approx. 900 C.
    Naval brass starts to melt at 888C . Heat is a good loosener for sure but I would not heat it up to any degree of red heat to be on the safe side.
    By the time you get to cherry red on a thin bolt the main brass casting could be starting to get too hot.
    The volume of a pizza of thickness 'a' and radius 'z' is given by pi z z a.

  10. #9
    Dave J Guest

    Default

    If you only use propane you will be right and wont it bother the brass, thats all I use. I don't have the money for oxy/acetylene, it gets expensive with the rental of the mig gases.
    Dave

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