Photo Etch woes

[Guest]

Heat the parts in a candle flame . Does something to the metal, think it called annealing but it makes it easier to work with , obviously after it's cooled

[eddiesolo]

Heat the parts in a candle flame . Does something to the metal, think it called annealing but it makes it easier to work with , obviously after it's cooled

Annealing is the process of making the material more ductile and makes it more workable. Brass can be worked this way, but the material needs to be glowing hot then is allowed to cool in air, brass can be quenched in water. If the brass is not hot enough then nothing will happen to the structure to make it more workable.

Si

[ojays]

This is what I use for the soldering and annealing.[ATTACH]77946.IPB[/ATTACH]

[eddiesolo]

This is what I use for the soldering and annealing.[ATTACH]77662[/ATTACH]

Is that one of those gas operated jobbies Gregg?

Si

[ojays]

Yes from good old B&Q

And the fibre pen I mentioned to prepare my PE, is in the photo too

The little bottle on the right is the liquid/paste solder I use..

[eddiesolo]

Yes from good old B&Q And the fibre pen I mentioned to prepare my PE, is in the photo too

The little bottle on the right is the liquid/paste solder I use..

Nice one, I have just a standard soldering iron but something like yours would be more handy, thanks for that.

Si

[Ian M]

I use an electronic one with adjustable output. Handy for solder of different melting points, which is handy when multiple parts need to be soldered in a short distance from each other.

ladders for example.

If you quench the brass after heating is that not to make it hard again...? Annealing is only really needed for rolling and curves. A straight fold works fine with out.

There are also some nice chemicals you can use for treating the brass. One that is handy to have turns brass black. (dark brown). So if the paint chips off, you dont get a nice bit of bright brass peaking through.

There are etching fluids that etch the surface and makes it more receptive to paint.

Model rail road shops have a good choice of hobby metal work goodies.

Ian M

[eddiesolo]

If you quench the brass after heating is that not to make it hard again..

No, as the heating process changes the alignment of the bonds by quenching it remains in that setting. Ferrous metals need to be air cooled, in still air at room temp.

Si