annealing brass; THANKS!

[Mark Cramer]

Thanks for all the informative replys.

The instrument is a Heintzman upright, a Canadian maker we are particularly
fond of.

In past I have converted these actions to Renner butts, with most satisfying
results. In this instance I offered the client a choice, and wouldn't ya
know it,...

The rails are fine, the butt-plates all original and it will probably be
okay. The idea of providing an "ounce of prevention" in the oven is
appealing. Going beyond this, as suggested, may not be merited.

As always, many thanks!

Mark Cramer,
Brandon University




What type of piano are you doing this type of treatment to?  Uprights,
grands?  Is
it worth it?  Around here uprights are a dime a dozen and hardly worth going
to
this much work.

Tim Coates
University of South Dakota
University of Sioux Falls

Daniel Gurnee wrote:

> on 11/25/01 9:00 PM, Daniel Gurnee at dgurnee@humboldt1.com wrote:
>
> CAUT
>
> Addendum to my last: Annealing brass, two sources.
>
> ŒANNEALING PROCEDURE1
> ŒHeat to dull red color, let cool to a grey color, immediately quench in
> water or picking solution.2
> 3The Jeweler1s Bench Reference2 by Harold O1Connor,  Pub. Dunconor book,
4th
> printing 1982
>
> ANNEALING:
> 3This can be done with a kiln or torch. Colors are best seen in a
dimly-lit
> area. Handy flux may be painted onto metal to serve as a temperature
> indicator: it is clear at 1100° F.  . .   Œ
> 3The Complete Metalsmith2, Tim McCreight, Pub. Davis Publications, Mass.,
> 1982.
>
> Dan Gurnee, RPT, Ret. HSU.
>
> > Greetings CAUT,
> >
> > Learning from the HSU Art Dept. and Hobart Brown renowned for initiating
the
> > Kinetic Sculptor Race at Ferndale CA, to totally aneal work hardened
copper
> > and brass, heat to glowing red and quench in cold water.
> >
> > Dan Gurnee RPT, Retired from HSU
> >
> >
> >
> > on 11/25/01 5:45 PM, Bdshull@aol.com at Bdshull@aol.com wrote:
> >
> >> Hi, Mark,
> >>
> >> A few months ago I decided to try the oven.  I put the rails and good
butt
> >> plates in the oven for an hour at full blast ("broil"), turned the oven
off
> >> and left in overnight to cool (slow cooling...).  The butt plates were
very
> >> bendable, unlike before - I could not break them.  I have done it on
two
> >> action rails with the same results.  I am not sure of the exact
temperature,
> >> but I believe the temperature needs to exceed 650 degrees.
> >>
> >> Of course it is more scientific to use the crayons. The heat-sensitive
> >> crayons are a precise indicator of the temperature.  But I am pleased
with
> >> the results of my oven.  Don't know how many times it can manage full
heat
> >> for an hour, but it seemed to do OK.
> >>
> >>
> >> Bill Shull, RPT
> >> La Sierra University, CSUSB
> >>
> >> In a message dated 11/25/01 1:00:47 PM Pacific Standard Time,
> >> cramer@BrandonU.CA writes:
> >>
> >> << I recall a discussion about annealing brass-flange rails in the
oven.
> >> Someone may have even taught a class on this subject.
> >>
> >> Can someone please help me out with the particulars?
> >>
> >> thanks,
> >>
> >> Mark Cramer, >>
> >>
> >
> >