Cutting Brass Sheet

I used to order my 0.5 mm and 1.0 mm thick brass sheet from ebay/China and they were always happy to cut their 10 cm X 10 cm sheets to size for me : 9 cm X 7 cm and 7.5 cm X 7 cm. But it has a been a few years since I purchased anything and now I cannot find anybody who will cut it to size. Many of them don't even understand the request !

What is the best way to cut brass sheet that will give a nice straight edge and still result in a flat sheet of brass ?

Edited By Brian John on 31/08/2021 13:36:03

Edited By Brian John on 31/08/2021 13:36:31

Edited By Brian John on 31/08/2021 13:37:01

Seems strange, but you can score metal several times to cut a line. Look up metal scoring tool on the net. Mine has a small carbide point and have used it to cut zinc sheet mainly, but also some 0.5mm steel sheet for the old 2CV car.

Bob

I cut brass sheet on a scrollsaw sandwiched between 2 bits of 3 - 5 mm plywood, using 35 TPI pinless blades.

I'm normally cutting to a profile, but if you need to cut precision straight lines you'd need to rig up some sort of rip fence.

I used a tool similar to THIS to rough cut about 3m of 0.8-1mm thick aluminium t’other day. My tool is years old and has glass reinforced handles, I think. It can cut straight or gentle curves but I only use it occasionally for light duty work - I would generally use a powered nibbler.

It was easy once I could ‘help’ the kerf by gently pulling it up (it tends to roll the kerf, otherwise)I don’t think I would buy a silverline tool, mind.

Knipex looks like the proper tool, silverline a cheap knock-off.

A 1.2mm cutting disc in a 4.5" grinder will do it ! Let the disc cut at it's own speed do not force it, clamp a piece of 3mm steel on it to give a straight guide. Noel.

I've got a hand nibbler, I need to cut some 1mm copper sheet with it soon. It doesn't distort the metal the same way tin snips do.

Martin C

**LINK**

Oops! Slow website, multiple posts.

I think I'm surprised that no one has mentioned a Jeweller's saw yet.

With just a little practice you can cut very near to a scribed line with one and the 'experts' (and I'm certainly not one) can cut pretty much on it. Either way very little cleaning up is usually needed and there will no distortion. Of course if you need a quantity all the same it could be time consuming

Regards,

IanT

InaT,

By jewellers saw, do you mean a piercing saw?

Hand or bench shears? With thin brass sheet, and sharp blades there should be no problem

I use one of these small Proxxon saws with a HSS blade for cutting brass, aluminium and thin steel. You would need to check the clearances if you are working with larger sheets. The fence will go either side of the blade.

Edited By Roger B on 01/09/2021 15:22:07

Yes Bo'sun - I'm not sure if there is a clear distinction but I tend to think of a "Jewellers" saw as an adjustable frame type of piercing saw (as opposed to a fixed frame one) but they certainly both use 'piercing' blades.

I have both types of frame but find the adjustable form easier to use on small work - my fixed frame one (having a deeper throat) only comes out very occasionally.

Regards,

IanT

If I was just cutting one or two sheets then I would use a saw but as I intend to cut 24 pieces or more than the small hobby/ table saws seem like a good option. Most of them are designed to cut wood so I need to make sure I can get a metal blade to fit.

There are quite a few for sale from China. I am sure the quality varies though !

table saw - Buy table saw with free shipping on AliExpress

This ebay model looks quite good :

Hyuda Delux Mini Table Saw 200w | eBay

Edited By Brian John on 02/09/2021 13:39:42

Edited By Brian John on 02/09/2021 13:41:37

Both Chronos and Axminster Tools sell the various Proxxon saws and blades .

This is the closest example I have of what you would like to do. This was 0.3mm Phosphor Bronze. I have cut up to 3mm thick Brass.

**LINK**

This is the sort of thing you can make from 0,9 or 1mm brass/copper with a scrollsaw. If you're after accurate square or rectangular work you'll need to make a fence.

I spotted Lidl selling a laminate and vinyl cutter shortly in their DIY 'middle of Lidl' that claims to be good for 10 mm laminate. Under £20 so might be worth a punt for occasional thin metal sheet even though not sold for that?

pgk

The 0.5 mm brass plates arrived from China last week and the mini table saw arrived today. I have not had a chance to set up the saw and use it yet but I have another problem. The brass plates arrived in the post quite bent/buckled. Is there any way to flatten them out ? I have tried clamping the plates in a vice for 24 hours while sandwiched between two pieces of timber but this has had limited effect. Any suggestions would be welcome.

Might it be better in future to order 1.0 mm thick plates ? These might hold their shape better and be less ''springy".

Edited By Brian John on 19/10/2021 13:24:46

I doubt if you could straighten your sheets without leaving some marks. If you are lucky you may be able to use the undamaged areas between the folds? Have you tried UK suppliers? Both M-Machine and Mallard Metals (to name just two and with the usual disclaimer) list 0.5mm (actually 26swg) sheet in their catalogues at about £8 for a square foot. They are likely to pack it properly and you should receive it flat.