Verifying A Metal (Gilding Metal?)

[Nicholas FarrParticipant @nicholasfarr14254]

Hi, I’ve got a 5 CWT Avery platform scales, which are very accurate over the range.

They didn’t cost me a lot, but they didn’t have the 28 lb reference weight, and the hanger they are put on, and so I had to make both of them.

As you can see, the 25 Kg weight is pretty much on the money.

Regards Nick.

[Nigel Graham 2Participant @nigelgraham2]

Jason –

What you have described there is a steel-yard!

Their advantage is that if divided accurately they can weigh sizeable masses with only a small reference weight, and very accurately.

.

Dave –

Good point. I have no idea now how I thought it is gilding metal, or who told me that.

Although its oxidised colour is very “coppery”, and it still quite pink when cleaned, I did think it is a brass of some sort rather than pure copper when I started sawing the basic square for the ring, from one of the plates. I bought the stuff years ago but this is the first time I have used any of it.

I’ll use it as brass.

[mark smith 20Participant @marksmith20]

Sorry didnt realise this is an older post but i use gilding metal occasionally ,the colour is more like rose gold than yellow gold. Heres a photo of colour comparision  top is a piece of yellow brass bar  the bottom two sheets are a similar colour gilding metal  but the top sheet is a little more yellow despite also being bought as gilding metal..

 

[Martin KyteParticipant @martinkyte99762]

Personally unless you have access to a mass spectrometer my approach would be treat it as the material you think it is, Gilding Metal, and reserve it for when you need some for domes and the like. If it is what you think it is it will behave as it should and be very ductile and take a high polish. Anything you are likely to make that needs gilding metal will be either decorative or some kind of cover, so will not need special properties apart from bendy and shiny.
Regards Martin

[vintagengineerParticipant @vintagengineer]

Take it to your local scrap metal dealer and they can scan it with their gun and tell you what’s in it.

[Nigel Graham 2Participant @nigelgraham2]

Well, thankyou all.

The consensus is that this metal is not a brone but may be gilding metal or some other form of brass, and I’ll treat it as such.

[Author]

Posts