GUNMETAL

Hello all, i am wanting to find out exactly what gunmetal is and where it can be bought at sensible rather than over inflated prices.

Gun Metal is an alloy of Copper, tin and zinc. Mostly copper and depending on the actual grade about 10% tin and 3% zinc. Often used as it bas good bearing qualities and is also easily cast that is why you often find the smaller parts of engine castings done with it.

As you a supply of bar what size sections are you looking for and how much of it, does it have to be GM as some of the other bronzes are more readily available.

J

Edited By JasonB on 16/08/2016 13:06:34

I have the use of a 5 axis CNC milling machine so rather than casting cylinders i would rather just machine it out of billet hence why i am wanting to find where i can buy it from

In that case I would probably go with one of the Leaded Bronzes like SAE660 but you could get either from someone like Leeds Bronze (LG2 is gunmetal). None of the bronzes are cheap though.

You may find it more economical to fabricate the cylinder sfrom a "Tube" machined from hollow bronze bar and the ends & valve block silver soldered on, I have done that a few times with large cylinders.

Edited By JasonB on 16/08/2016 13:16:31

I was just thinking if cost is an issue you could mill it from a block of cast iron

Try Manchester metals. They cut to size.

What size do you need?  

Bri

Edited By Boiler Bri on 16/08/2016 20:25:55

What is the cylinder for?

Unless there is a really pressing requirement for GM, as Jason says go for CI block if you must machine from solid.

Hi Michael,

Can I suggest to you the 'Speedy' build thread on the modeleng.proboards site?

Roger Froud has made his cylinders out of solid. My current miniature loco build has them machined out of solid too.

Cheers,

Julian

5" Nigel Gresley