Brass Tube

I need an 8 inch length of 2 inch diameter 16 or 18 gauge brass tube (to fill with lead for the pendulum of a clock I am making). My usual supplier of clock making brass sells CZ121 at around £2.50 per inch, but I've seen others selling 16 gauge brass steam pipe for 1/2 the price. Does anyone know what grade this would be, and if there is a snag to using it in my application?

Only snag I can think of is that the grade might not be very machinable but you wouldn't be doing much of that other than maybe squaring off the ends. I'd go for it myself.

If getting it mail order be sure to mention that is to be used in a decorative role and must be free of dents. A clock supplier might be worth the extra for this and I can only think brass steam pipe must be left over from Mamod boiler making,
You could look into rolling it from sheet.

Edited By Bazyle on 28/01/2018 14:54:43

Maccmodels can supply

2 inch diameter by 16swg - they list an 8.5 inch length at £8.39 plus post.

Hope this helps.

BB

Yes, Maccmodels was the supplier that triggered my question. Unfortunately they don’t state the grade of brass.op

Edited By Billy Bean on 28/01/2018 18:50:07

The grade matters because I will need to skim it after filling it with lead. Some grades of brass are chewy, and tear, so getting an attractive finish is very difficult. Guess I need to speak to the man at Maccmodels.

The tube Joe sent me polished up a treat - I just squared ends on lathe and then spun and polished - I have an older lathe just used for that purpose.

Sounds an interesting hobby - is there a reason why it is skimmed after filling with lead as opposed to skimming prior to filling ?

I quite understand why grade matters and thanks for explaining.

BB

Mike I always filled my weights with lead shot. You used to be able to get it from gunsmiths but I'm not sure whether you still can

Roy

Roy,

If 12 bore cartridges no longer filled with lead shot, I wonder what on earth is used as a substitute?

John

Steel shot or Bismuth. Barrels need to be marked for steel shot. Range is lowered for steel shot and most water shooting is now Bismuth shot. Lead kills birds by ingestion from dabbling in mud and/or being shot!

Clive

Clive How does the weight of Bismuth shot compare with lead ? ( Just out of curiosity these days )

Roy

Ditto, why would you need to skim it? Shouldn't get lead on the outside if poured carefully; it will probably tarnish but surely that can be removed by polishing?

I like to see a finely turned finish on weights and pendulums, so need a suitable grade of brass.

Also takes care of any minor surface imperfections.