Bending brass bar stock ?

U

UpDown

Joined
Nov 6, 2002
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15
I am new to this so I thought I would ask for some advise from those who know. If I want to bend brass bar stock, say 1/4" or 3/8" stock, to maybe a 45 degree angle should I just use force against the cold bar or should I first add heat to the stock? If I need to heat it first then how do I tell when it is pliable enough to bend without cracking? Much thanks for any input. UpDown
 
With any luck someone will come along to say I'm all wet. I've tried this every way I could think of, and it just does not work. I've always ended up taking a big chunk of brass and cutting my shape out of it. This is why I recommend everyone buy a metal cutting bandsaw. :)

If anyone can figure a way to bend brass, I'm all ears too...

Dave
 
Maybe its cause Im French and left handed but I dont have a problem bending brass. I heat it and bend it around on my anvil and a couple spikes I have driven inta the base of it.

Knifesmith
 
To anneal brass or non-ferrous metals you get it red hot and quench in water. This will soften and make it more workable. I've made S guards out of 1/8" brass bar and have been able to form it without heating it up. Make the form you want out of of a pretty good quality wood and use a wooden mallet or a chuck of wood and just beat it around your form. I would think 3/16" could even be done this way but anything thicker I would anneal first. On the thicker brass you may have to anneal it a couple time since it work hardens. Hope this helps you out.....Ray
 
No problem just heat it to the right temperature, experiment a little, and bend away, use a form if you need to or wing it. not hard at all.
Gib
 
Thanks for the ideas. I have some scraps that I am going to try first. I will try it cold first and move on to annealing it if necessary. My final guard will end up just shy of 3/16 so it may work without heating. Wish me luck, and thanks again. UpDown.
 
I wrap the end in leather and tighten in a vice with wood slats and use a dead blow (very carefully though).
 
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