tools, materials & knowledge for model makers
A few silver solder coupon tests to look at options for soldering copper and phosphor bronze (PB). The test parts are a representation of the PB saddle and copper boiler on the miniature traction engine. Preparing Test Parts Fundamentally a sheet of copper 1.2mm thick has a PB M4 bolt through the top and into … Read more
Why am I bolting the saddle to the boiler when I intend to silver solder it in place? Well, silver soldering can be difficult and the last thing I want is for the cylinder to shift in position. The cylinder saddle of the Burrell miniature traction engine was machined from phosphor bronze. The 12BA bolts around … Read more
Bronze alloy is a yellow to yellow-brown alloy that contains mostly copper and tin. However, the name is now applied to other alloys that do not contain tin. Bronze was developed in Mesopotania around 2500BC. Bronze is ductile, resistant to salt water, has a hard low friction surface and does not generate sparks when hit. … Read more
The rear axle PB bearings for the 1/20th scale Burrell traction engine actually turned out quite a delight to turn. Phosphor bronze (PB) can be quite difficult to machine. Hence I thought I would try the tungsten carbide tips that are designed to work with aluminium. We reviewed the Glanze lathe tools before with the … Read more
Phosphor bronze is an alloy of copper with 3.5 to 10% of tin and a significant phosphorus content of up to 1%. The phosphor bronzes have superb spring qualities, high fatigue resistance, excellent formability and solderability, and high corrosion resistance. PB1 is a continuously cast product used for machined components washers and bushes. PB2 This … Read more