[TheForge] Forging Yellow Brass

[lama]

Larry, I forge brass ( & copper & bronze ) quite often.
It forges very easy but there are a few things to be very
careful about. 
Temperature, these non-ferrous metals forge at a much lower 
temp. than steel or iron. In conjunction with that they don't 
change color as much as ferrous metals. 
I use a oxy/propane torch for a heat source when forging
non ferrous because it gives me more visual control than the 
coal forge.  Simply put, the metal will start off at it's natural color
(brass = brass color) as you apply heat, it becomes blackish,
when the first tiny hint of red appears, remove it from the heat 
and commence forging. Work it until it becomes hard to work
and repeat the process.  If you overheat brass & bronze,  it
will either crumble when you strike it or it will simply disappear
into a puddle on your shop floor or in your shoe. It will never 
turn yellow hot and remain in a solid state.
Opposite of ferrous metals, when non-ferrous is heated and 
quenched in water, it will be in a state of 'annealed' . You can 
do limited forging at that state but the metal rapidly work hardens 
and you then repeat the annealing. Thin sheet is usually worked 
in this manner. Bar stock works much better when it's hot.

Dave Mudge
http://magichammer.ironworkers.com 


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "DragonsWatch" <thedragons@dragonswatch.com>
To: <theforge@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Friday, January 03, 2003 10:48 AM
Subject: [TheForge] Forging Yellow Brass


> Can any one give advice on the forging of yellow brass bar stock.  Some
> one told me to forge cold, then heat and quench to anneal.  Does this
> work?   How much can one expect to be able to work the brass before it
> begins to crumble?
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Larry
>