Changing pitch of cast buttplate

[Clark Badgett]

LOL
Ok, Jim - since you're the expert here (not being snarky), please enlighten us. How come we've broken brass parts (I broke a dragoon brass backstrap) and you've never had a problem?

You part wasn’t made from proper gun metal brass most likely.

 

[ChuckJonesWagon]

Put mapp gas on brass that long and it will melt.

I would agree.....if the piece were in fact brass.

If you like I'll send you the broken piece, you can video the heating of the piece with mapp gas for the 5 minutes as I watch the metal do nothing.

 

[Tumbledown]

I would agree.....if the piece were in fact brass.

If you like I'll send you the broken piece, you can video the heating of the piece with mapp gas for the 5 minutes as I watch the metal do nothing.

I believe you about the casting. It was more a warning to others that one can unintentionally melt brass with a torch. Found that out when I was heating the end of a rod and it disappeared.

 

[ChuckJonesWagon]

I believe you about the casting. It was more a warning to others that one can unintentionally melt brass with a torch. Found that out when I was heating the end of a rod and it disappeared.

Experience.....the mistakes we make and then try to forward others to not do the same!!

 

[FlinterNick]

Cracked brass because I tried to bend it without heating it: been there, done that*. Don't do it.

* on my first kit-build project (Traditions Kentucky pistol - cheap metal anyway).

You don’t have to heat up brass to bend it, i bend brass butt plates all the time, you just have to take your time and do it gradually, even if you anneal brass and bend it, it could still crack.

The only time I anneal brass is if I’m trying to rough out a shape or if I’m I’m going to attempt to do a brass weld, brass welds are very complicated.

 

[FlinterNick]

If your brass won’t bend, it’s most likely an alloy closer to (if not actually) bronze.

If your brass has a pale yellow color or a slightly pinkish tone, it’s not proper gun metal brass.

Or it’s got too much zinc, some brass’ today are almost completely made of zinc.

 

[wiscoaster]

Or it’s got too much zinc, some brass’ today are almost completely made of zinc.

The "brass" part I broke by bending was a Traditions kit part. I was hoping @James Kibler would know what that metal is and enlighten us, but has so far not done so.

 

[Mike in FL]

Okay I also am not trying to be snarky but how many hats/diplomas are you claiming? Master gunsmith, machinist, engineer, and now metallurgist ? And then you claim that I know nothing about the working of metals? I graduated from Minneapolis technical school with a certificate in metal art ( jeweler) in 72. Enlisted in the Navy as a aviation structural mechanic (AMS 2) in less than 3 years. Attended the Dunwoody institute for Auto body finished12 months of a18 month course ( because of a industrial accident) back to school (part of settlement) graduated as a electrician. Worked as a security technician from 82-02 CMS, JST. With 5 kids and the wife not having a high skilled job I started my 21 year career at Federal Cartridge in 94 working nights I have been certified to weld exotic metals by the navy, gas and arc both stick and wire feed by the companies I worked for and have passed the test to weld in the nuclear power plant here in Mn. So I do know how to work on/with metal and brass, bronze, copper, silver, gold, all work better when annealed and then quenched in water.
And when it comes to metal that is cast by what ever process is chosen you can never be absolutely certain that it has no porosity or stress cracks in it and there for may break when bending

Impressive, but still, were I you, which I ain't, Id back out of this one.

 

[Clark Badgett]

Or it’s got too much zinc, some brass’ today are almost completely made of zinc.

Thankfully I’ve not run into that yet.

 

[sportster73hp]

The "brass" part I broke by bending was a Traditions kit part. I was hoping @James Kibler would know what that metal is and enlighten us, but has so far not done so.

Jim doesn’t make traditions parts, why would he know? If asked he may provide what alloy he uses if it isn’t trade secret

 

[Clark Badgett]

Jim doesn’t make traditions parts, why would he know? If asked he may provide what alloy he uses if it isn’t trade secret

I can’t speak for Jim, but he probably specifies 260 brass for his parts.

 

[ZUG]

Without knowing what the metal composition is you all are just guessing and making assumptions. In the end most of you are getting upset over this topic for nothing. -- What works for one may not work for others because the base metal is different for each of you.

P.S. Original MAPP Gas is no longer available - gone since 2008. It could reach temps of 3500 degrees F. It was replaced by MAP-PRO Gas which only burns 100 degrees hotter than Propane. The type of torch that you are using does make a difference also.
Here is some good info on the subject for you <https://askingyard.com/why-was-mapp-gas-discontinued/>

 

[sportster73hp]

I can’t speak for Jim, but he probably specifies 260 brass for his parts.

Looked this up. Also known as cartridge brass. I have a 5gallon bucket of this waiting for a recycling run. It does polish up nicely either a a trigger guard or 300 win mag.

 

[Clark Badgett]

Looked this up. Also known as cartridge brass. I have a 5gallon bucket of this waiting for a recycling run. It does polish up nicely either a a trigger guard or 300 win mag.

You don’t reload your brass?

 

[billraby]

With brass it does not matter if you quench or air cool. Some of the different alloys will get brittle if you quench them and must be air cooled. If you don't know what alloy you have, it is best to air cool.

 

[sportster73hp]

You don’t reload your brass?

Reload good brass. Diligently clean the range of all left brass. Share,trade ,or sell what i don’t need. Some is damaged and other is rimfire.
Have not lost any win mag yet. Neck sizing since new. Wolf ,PPU, and Remington .

 

[Clark Badgett]

Reload good brass. Diligently clean the range of all left brass. Share,trade ,or sell what i don’t need. Some is damaged and other is rimfire.
Have not lost any win mag yet. Neck sizing since new. Wolf ,PPU, and Remington .

Oh! Phew!! Got me nervous there for a minute