Bending sharp edges on brass strips

[Sandor Laza]

Dear All,

 

Can anyone recommend tools or tips on how to create sharp edges on brass strips? I am creating hinges and other small brass parts for cannons. I can bend the metal but the edges are too round. I saw people are talking about special pliers etc. but I could not find them on the internet? Any advice would be really appreciated. My metal work looks kind of ugly at this moment...

 

Thank you!

[cog]

Mr Laza,

 

Have a look here and here

 

you might find them closer to home if you search a bit. Most brass will have a somewhat roundish edge, you could try and file it slightly down to a sharp shape. Having said that, bending will always leave a round edge, you can get a straight sharp edge by soldering two pieces at e.g 90º The size in modelling, however, has it's limitations ... at least that's my experience as an amateur

Edited May 18, 2018 by cog

[Thistle17]

As Carl relates it is quite difficult to get brass to not round over when bent. As you did not state the thickness I have to assume it is less than or equal to 0.5 mm for your application. If you heat it, it will bend more satisfactory. You can use a small table top vise to crimp the fold and get better results yet. The combination of both should prove even more satisfactory.

Joe

[AndrewNaylor]

Sandor 

If you use a small vice, smooth jaws are a must as knurled faced jaws will mark your brass. A light flat faced hammer will easily bend the brass over and will create a sharp 90' bend for you Cut the pieces to length before bending as cutting after the bend is in will not work well at all even drilling any holes is much easier while the material is flat. If you are making a few of the same item's make a jig in the vice jaws to ensure the parts all fold at the same point.

Andy 

[Dilbert55]

A general rule for the minimum bend radius for brass is the thickness of piece. 

[Jim Rogers]

Micro Mark carries a complete set. Part number 60398 Metal Forming Pliers.

[xken]

Sandor, the key is to first anneal the strip by heating it to just starting to change color and then quenching in water; this will soften the brass. Then with small duckbill pliers straddling a rod slowly form the strip while pushing down and squeezing at the same time.

There is a picture on page 9 of my Constitution build of this.  Hope this helps.

[druxey]

If the brass has any thickness, file a 'V' on the side you are bending toward. There will still be a slight radius, but it will be much less than a bend where that has not been done.

Bending sheet metal.psd

Edited May 19, 2018 by druxey

[Sandor Laza]

On 18/05/2018 at 10:43 AM, cog said:

Mr Laza,

 

Have a look here and here

 

you might find them closer to home if you search a bit. Most brass will have a somewhat roundish edge, you could try and file it slightly down to a sharp shape. Having said that, bending will always leave a round edge, you can get a straight sharp edge by soldering two pieces at e.g 90º The size in modelling, however, has it's limitations ... at least that's my experience as an amateur

Thank you, it is a good idea! I will try it!

[Sandor Laza]

On 18/05/2018 at 3:00 PM, Jim Rogers said:

Micro Mark carries a complete set. Part number 60398 Metal Forming Pliers.

Thank you!

[Sandor Laza]

On 19/05/2018 at 10:36 PM, druxey said:

If the brass has any thickness, file a 'V' on the side you are bending toward. There will still be a slight radius, but it will be much less than a bend where that has not been done.

Bending sheet metal.psd

Thank you, I tried this yesterday and works great!

[Sandor Laza]

On 18/05/2018 at 4:07 PM, xken said:

Sandor, the key is to first anneal the strip by heating it to just starting to change color and then quenching in water; this will soften the brass. Then with small duckbill pliers straddling a rod slowly form the strip while pushing down and squeezing at the same time.

There is a picture on page 9 of my Constitution build of this.  Hope this helps.

Thank you, I followed the link, your build is absolutely stunning! I will follow your thread it is truly educational!

[Moxis]

When I had to make sharp bends into thin brass sheet, I made a simple jig of 6x30 mm iron bar.  First I cut suitable pieces of the bar, milled straight the two mating edges, made the holes and threads and screwed parts together so that the other jaw is fixed and the other can be moved a couple of millimeters:

 

 

 

 

Then I was locating a piece of brass sheet between the "jaws", tightened the allen screws lightly and put the jig between the jaws of my workbench:

 

 

 

Bent first the brass piece with fingers, and finally tapped it slightly with a hammer to get sharp bend:

 

 

And voila, you have a rather sharp bend. This works with brass of thickness, say 0,1.....1,0 millimeters. And with this jig it is possible to make "angle iron" of brass sheet up to about 20 cm length:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Sandor Laza]

Hi Moxis,

 

Thank you for the photos, I was thinking about making a similar jig!