How Do You Stop Brass From Oxidising?

[angio]

Hi All

 

I had a broken Parker Duofold Senior "big red" and a piece of 16mm brass rod stock so I made this:

 

 

 

 

Please ignore the barrel threads as they functional but an ugly mess!

 

It weighs a ton (well 91g but that's still heavy!) and needs a cap band but otherwise looks really cool and I've always wanted one of these metal duofolds especially a titanium one. Not sure my lathe could handle titanium: anyone sucessfully turned titanium on a Myford ML7?

 

The problem with the brass is that after a couple of weeks the brass is no longer shiny and needs polishing. Should I lacquer it? is there anything else I can do to maintain the shiny finish other than polishing it every couple of weeks?

[richardandtracy]

I think a lacquer finish would work for a while, but it seems to chip off relatively easily.

I know it sounds daft, but is there a jeweller you could go to, to get it gold plated? A 4 micron plating would last a moderate time without being too expensive.

 

Hmm.

For the titanium.

Well, take tiny cuts, use very sharp hss tools & you will be able to do it. I doubt if carbide tools will be sharp enough, and the machine may deflect too much for a good cut.

Ralph Prather has made more than one titanium P51 Vac and last picture I saw of his lathe, it was little more than a watchmaker's lathe - the nearest modern equivalent being the Clarke CL250 ( https://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/cl250m-metal-lathe ) . The ML7 will be more than up to the job unless completely knackered - the biggest problem with such things is always the machinist, less capable machines need better machinists to get the same quality work. Having made a vac in brass, I have no doubt you'll be able to do it.

 

Regards,

 

Richard

[rogerb]

I think you either have to lacquer it or keep it in a vacuum

 

It does look a brilliant job, and I envy your skill, though I don't like the smell of brass on my hands!

 

As said above GP would be a good option to consider.

Edited September 23, 2014 by rogerb

[angio]

Gold plating could work. The vacuum would work, I just wouldn't be able to use it.

 

Am I wrong for even considering hammered metal paint? I have a tin of dark green Hammerite in the shed. What if I call it British Urushi? It would certainly be hard wearing and solve the oxidation issues...

[richardandtracy]

Most paint finishes would chip off eventually.

Hammerite would be possible, but fugly compared to your work.

 

Regards,

 

Richard

[Beechwood]

Ashford plating in Norwich will do gold and nickel plating - which could look spectacular-

 

 

http://www.ashfordchroming.com/electroplating

 

 

Edited September 23, 2014 by Beechwood

[angio]

Fair point on the hammerite, moment of madness; won't happen again. What looks good on machine tools and iron railings doesn't necessarily look so good on a pen. I may have to try it on a bit of scrap rod just to sate my curiosity.

 

I'll have a look into Ashford plating. Maybe a burnished copper finish? There are loads more metal platers around here, it's quite impressive how much industry we have in Norfolk!

[rogerb]

Copper would also tarnish ... it's a very similar metal.

[angio]

Of course it does. What a numpty. I spent five years working on the Downing site at the University of Cambridge gazing out of the window at the bright green copper domes on the roof of the Genetics department and the Sedgwick museum.

[Freddy]

For your consideration..a clear powder coating finish that will protect and

eliminate the need for polishing. This application has been used on motorcycle parts

with outstanding results....Contact a reputable powder coat shop in your area..and see

if they can help....

 

Fred