Thread: Brass powder???

Originally Posted by TTIT

the steel I can deal with but how do you separate the aluminium out?:confused: :confused: .

Try using a magnet

That will get out the steel, but leave the aluminium still in with the brass.

Aluminium in its unoxidised state is quite reactive, so it could be burnt off with acid - but I don't know how effective that would be for dust (which has probably had the chance to oxidise).

Depending on how much you need, you could always buy a brass block and cut it up with a hacksaw - this would make brass dust that is fairly fine. Or a jewellers saw would make it even finer.

You could also achieve the same thing with a hand file.

Alternatively, try finding a brass supplier and see if they will give you their cutting dust.

Cam

Originally Posted by Ashore

Try using a magnet

A magnet for aluminium?

'mazin what they can do these days.

Originally Posted by CameronPotter

That will get out the steel, but leave the aluminium still in with the brass.

Aluminium in its unoxidised state is quite reactive, so it could be burnt off with acid - but I don't know how effective that would be for dust (which has probably had the chance to oxidise).

Depending on how much you need, you could always buy a brass block and cut it up with a hacksaw - this would make brass dust that is fairly fine. Or a jewellers saw would make it even finer.

You could also achieve the same thing with a hand file.

Alternatively, try finding a brass supplier and see if they will give you their cutting dust.

Cam

Hacksaw? Jewellers saw? HAND FILE? Does that come in a bottle? That's a bit more elbow grease than I was hoping for but thanks for the suggestion.

Originally Posted by TTIT

Hacksaw? Jewellers saw? HAND FILE? Does that come in a bottle? That's a bit more elbow grease than I was hoping for but thanks for the suggestion.

brass is quite soft, so get some coarse emery paper and glue it to a bit of glass or board - nice long strokes with a brass rod will produce some very fine dust in no time. drop the lot into water and the emery dust is soon removed.

alternateivley use gold - its even softer!

In the past I have asked for (and been given) the leftover grindings from key cutting machines (most of them have a pull-out tray that collects the grindings). I do not know what keys are like in Australia, but here they are getting to be less brass, and more of other metals. Still, it is worth a try.
Just curious, why do some of y'all refer to your country as "OZ"?

You used to be able to buy all different types of metal powder,
Brass, bronze,copper. a lot are used in paints usually by artists doing special things.

I had some copper which I bought from a place in Rhodes in Sydney but it was a few years ago. Also you would have to buy possibly at least a Kilo so unless you are going to get a few litres of superglue and some big knots to fill.

I wouldn't be too worried about buying from overseas, hundreds of us get stuff from all over via ebay etc. It would just be a costly exercise but that depends on how bad you need to get it.

Originally Posted by Gil Jones

Just curious, why do some of y'all refer to your country as "OZ"?

OZ - "Oztraylia" - Australian "strine" slang

OZ - "Aussie / Australia" (short form for)

take your pick.

TTIT,

Try powder coaters. They make often blast metal and glass and things with powder and sand. I picked up 1/2 kilo of bronze powder from a place in Regents Park Sydney (i think) for about $12. The powder is super fine, virtually as fine as flour.

Good luck to you.

PS. Zed you should get that checked out
Johnny.

Originally Posted by WoodWad

TTIT,

Try powder coaters. They make often blast metal and glass and things with powder and sand. I picked up 1/2 kilo of bronze powder from a place in Regents Park Sydney (i think) for about $12. The powder is super fine, virtually as fine as flour.

Good luck to you.

PS. Zed you should get that checked out
Johnny.

Johnny - thanks for the tip - we actually have a powder coater out here - I'll give him a call.

I think ERA Polymers sell metal powders - brass/'gold' and silver(alum) that are made for mixing in resin for 'cold bronze' casting. The stuff is treated to stop it oxidizing too. It is like fine dust, much finer than flour.

Barnes Products are another source of pigments & powders, but sell small quantities for $$$$$$$$.

Originally Posted by Zed

OZ - "Oztraylia" - Australian "strine" slang

OZ - "Aussie / Australia" (short form for)

take your pick.

Oh? You sure it ain't 'cos we're ruled by an 'orrible little gnome with more front than Myers?

Don't know of your situation but around here, Craft stores have metalic dust and glitter that would serve the same purpose, Metal Flakes for Auto finish from the Auto paint suppliers (stores) they sell it for mixing custom jobs.

I like the effect in your turning, I have seen plastic resin and Turquoise and other minerals used for flaws and accents but your piece looks like a Gold Nugget find. As Opal is from your part of the globe, How available is it? and I bet that would be an interesting effect as well.

Thanks for the posting.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I've done a deal with one of the keycutters who is going to slip a different tray under his cutter when he's doing aluminium keys. There must be a lot of tin in the brass they use for keys because a magnet picks up an awful lot of it. Don't know how well it will polish with a high steel content - will post a pic next time I use it.