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Brass buildup on 1/16" thick material.

Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2014 12:26 pm
by mcostello
I need to build up a small cam for an antique door knob that is worn. Have Tig, torch,or anything else common. Brass too hard to do,or use Silver Solder? Never used SS for a build up before. Advise, comments? Wondering if I could keep part of the part submerged in water to control heat.

Re: Brass buildup on 1/16" thick material.

Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2014 7:36 pm
by Otto Nobedder
I have thoughts on this, but my advice depends somewhat on the size of the piece. I'm assuming quite small, as a component of a lockset.

A picture would help... A picture with the part laying on a tape-measure would help even more.

Steve S

Re: Brass buildup on 1/16" thick material.

Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2014 11:49 pm
by mcostello
Here are the relevant pictures.Image
Image. The areas that need built up are on the sides of the "V".

Re: Brass buildup on 1/16" thick material.

Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2014 2:26 am
by steeldr.
DO NOT USE WATER.welding and h2o do not like each. You can purchase some heat sink material from your local weld shop or auto body shop. its like a clay substance. I think one trade name is " heat fence".
If the brass has a lot of zinc in it,it will let you know with a lot of white smoke, hissing,sputtering, etc. using the gtaw weld process. If I were doing this project, I would silver solder a small piece of brass onto the object using #8 silver solder and a good flux made for silver solder. A weld supply shop should have both........good luck.
Ron

Re: Brass buildup on 1/16" thick material.

Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2014 3:58 am
by dirtmidget33
Part looks pretty simple, prolly easier and faster to just remake the part. Talk to a machinist can't see it taking to long to copy and remake it. when you consider time of weld prep, welding, then filing it down, could have brand new part.

Re: Brass buildup on 1/16" thick material.

Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2014 9:58 am
by rick9345
dirtmidget33 wrote:Part looks pretty simple, prolly easier and faster to just remake the part. Talk to a machinist can't see it taking to long to copy and remake it. when you consider time of weld prep, welding, then filing it down, could have brand new part.
Agree
old fashioned open flame and silver solder(good)

with that sample and a machinist new part(better)

Re: Brass buildup on 1/16" thick material.

Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2014 10:33 am
by mcostello
I am the machinist and was trying to avoid making the whole part over. Will go the silver solder route. Have seen a part brazed while laying on a damp rag to control heat, but it was a lot bigger part. Did not know if I could control TIG heat enough to avoid melting the whole part.

Re: Brass buildup on 1/16" thick material.

Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2014 5:37 pm
by Otto Nobedder
I agree with the silver-solder route. You'll still have the brass brown to dull-red, but won't melt it.

One observation: There's much more wear on the right (opening the lockset), so I'd examine the slot in the key (which I assume is iron or steel) for a sharp edge that could use a dress with a file.

Steve S

Re: Brass buildup on 1/16" thick material.

Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2014 5:57 pm
by mcostello
No key, will be filing to fit a new one. All by guess or by golly fitting. Owner never had a key.

Re: Brass buildup on 1/16" thick material.

Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2014 6:19 pm
by Otto Nobedder
mcostello wrote:No key, will be filing to fit a new one. All by guess or by golly fitting. Owner never had a key.
Find an old-school hardware store, take the assembled lockset, and try every skeleton key they have. You will likely find a match. There were not that many combinations available in a simple "one-tumbler" lock, and the key fit is determined by the shape of the cavity around that single tumbler/bolt.

Steve S

Re: Brass buildup on 1/16" thick material.

Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2014 9:47 am
by mcostello
Already went the lockshop route, closest they could find was a "blank" blank. :D