Brass thickness for patchbox

[bulletman]

If I get really brave and want to make a patchbox from scratch, what thickness should I get ?......thinking maybe get a sheet 12x24 or so and shape and engrave.

 

[gordy]

I've made a few out of salvaged brass drainpipe from the overflow section,the old stuff runs about 1/16".Of corse it has to be cut and rolled out flat.Just use a propane torch to heat it and quench,it softens right up and works easy.Some of the old patch boxes that I've seen were no thicker.Dixie Gun Works did sell brass sheet material,I havn't found any place local that has it.I think DGW also has German Silver.They also have patchboxes as kits!Good luck with Your project,I know You'll enjoy it. :thumbsup: ::

 

[jrdavis]

If you can find a used kick panel from a door they work well

 

[brushbuster]

you can purchase brass kick panels from home depot or lowes

 

[Zonie]

If you go to buy a brass kick panal, take one of your wifes magnets off of the refrigerator with you.
Lots of "brass" things are just brass plated steel.
Brass is not magnetic.

Most of the commercial patch boxes I have used are made out of .040 thick material.
IMO, .032 (1/32) material would be too thin, and anything thicker than .063 (1/16)would be too thick to easily form the hinges.

Dixie Gunworks, Track of the Wolf and Muzzleloader Builders Supply all sell unshaped patchboxe "blanks" which have the hinges formed.

Muzzleloader Builders Supply also sells brass and German Silver in 4 inch X 8 inch sheets in .032, .040, .050 thickness.
They also sell .062, .080 and .090 thick material which comes in 3 X 8 inch sheets.

Have Fun

 

Most of the componant companies offer a patchbox kit, usually a hinged lid and finial with side strips in rough rectangular plates, but already hinged. The cost is not prohibitive and a good hinge is hard to cut out of stock. I have used two of these, one from Muzzle Loader Supply and another from TOTW. Both worked out well and neither cost me but around $10. You'll spend $5 on stock and half a day making the hinge! The kit even comes with a proper spring that you can arange to either pop the lid open or spring load it closed.

:imo:

 

K&S sells brass plates as well as silver . they also sell alot of difffrent sizes and shapes of copper, brass and silver in bar channel and tube.
most Remote control hobbie stores sell K&S stock may do a search for tower hobbies

 

[jrdavis]

Ace hardware has them[url] also.in[/url] a couple of different sizes.the prices are better on the used one from a scrap metal yard.

 

[L.B. Myers]

Hi All,

If you can not find brass sheet locally, here is a source:
http://www.msc.com

They are a huge supplier of machine shop parts and they sell brass which is often used for shimming purposes. I've delt with the company for years and they are great.

have fun,
L.B.

 

[LSU TIGER]

LB's link was for a different company. Just run a search for MSC Industrial Supply. I not only get sheet brass from them, but also brass key stock for barrel lugs in 1/2" and rear sights in 1". Their prices are good, and will sell any reasonalbe size. I buy the sheet brass in 1'squares. :m2c:

 

[L.B. Myers]

Opps!

LSU Tiger is correct. I gave an incorrect URL for MSC. It is www.mscdirect.com

So sorry!

L.B.

 

[B.Habermehl]

Grizzley also handles brass sheet stock. I believe they buy K&S Metal stock in bulk, the stock sizes are the same. As for size I use .050 when I can get it. It makes a bit more stable parts to inlet.