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Brass work for Gladius in process.
#1
Hello to all. :mrgreen:
I have a post on the leathery process of my scabbard, and now I have decided to make a new topic, but on the brass work process, for others to look at, learn, and maybe even help with advice! :!: :?:
The type I am making is based on the ones found here, thanks to Crispvs I managed to get a great design! Arrow http://www.romanarmy.net/scabbard.htm
I am new to this, :???: I have tools, but lack experience. I've made all of this by hand, with the exception of power tools. I ground the blade, and am using a rotary tool kit set for the brass work.
I hope you enjoy watching the process as much as I enjoy making it! My back may ache with all the bending, but it's ~~totally~~ worth it~!
Sam.


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Samuel J.
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#2
Some more work from tonight, gonna leave it for now. Punching the metal doesn't work as well!!! Using the power rotary tool is speedy, and accurate!


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Samuel J.
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#3
another little update, going to finish the angle cuts now.


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Samuel J.
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#4
p.s the edges are actually finer than that, the cam just smudged the light around and make it look like a bad job :oops:
Samuel J.
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#5
Ok, so I'm done with cutting, and now I need to ask a question. Where you have punched lines, are they concave or convex to the front face of the plate? so do I hammer down on the under side to out dent, or indent? Then same question for when I punch the clusters of three dots at the end of the lines....for the examples look at the link provided earlier. Thanks,
Sam


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Samuel J.
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#6
They should be convex facing into the scabbard so they don't catch on any tunic or cloth material. Though I don't think any particular way is historically accurate or not
Quintus Furius Collatinus

-Matt
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#7
Thanks Matt, I appreciate that, but I just thought, that might push out the plate some, making a gap ...it will be just like...indented ridges, not sharp, so no catching. I think I'll go for the convex. I really appreciate your reply...I'll have to try that tomorrow, it's a bit late :oops:
I still am open to any advice, including support on Matt's theory. :-)
Sam!
Samuel J.
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#8
Nice work so far Sam.

In answer to your question, the lines and dots are concave, as if they were engraved into the outer surface. Hammer them in from the outside. Make sure you do this onto a solid metal plate to ensure a good clean line. Avoid applying a heavy pressure with the hammer - remember that you want to cut into the metal but not through it.

I would suggest using a chisel to make the lines, rather than any sort of electrical equipment, at it will produce a much better result. Overlap the last mark you made each time to get a continuous unbroken line. It may be an idea to draw the lines onto the brass with a pencil or biro first so that you can follow them when you punch in the lines. Be warned that as you punch decoration into the plate it will deform slightly. This is normal but it does mean you will need to draw all the lines on first as it will be difficult to draw straight lines on it after it has begun to warp.

Once you have punched the decorative lines and dots you will probably need to flatten the plate again. To do this you will need to anneal the plate until it goes red (hold it in pliers and do NOT touch it until it has thoroughly cooled down - brass conducts heat well and it will take a while). Once it cools down you should be able to flatten it either by playing a rubber mallet across both the inside and outside faces of the plate or possibly pressing it in a vice (if you do this make sure the vice has pads to stop the jaws from indenting your plate).

Keep up the good work.


"Though I don't think any particular way is historically accurate or not"

Ahem - the historically accurate way is the way it was done originally.


Crispvs
Who is called \'\'Paul\'\' by no-one other than his wife, parents and brothers.  :!: <img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_exclaim.gif" alt=":!:" title="Exclamation" />:!:

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.romanarmy.net">www.romanarmy.net
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#9
Sorry I'm going to do it now, butone last question....should I use the polished side, that might look a little ugly ( polishes reveal tiny scratches) or shall I use the back as my front as it has less scratches from the drilling etc, and just use a very fine sand paper to give it a frosted glass finish?
Thanks.
Samuel J.
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#10
Looks great so far. Can't wait to see the finished project.
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#11
I would use the smoother side as the outward face, as visible machine marks would ruin the effect of all your hard work. If I were you I would avoid sanding it, as this will only end up leaving annoying scratches. As a suggestion, spend a few minutes practicing your technique on an offcut until you are confident that you can make a good job of it. After all, you wouldn't want to ruin it when it is coming along so nicely.

Don't worry about polishing it until it is finished, as annealing it will discolour the brass anyway.


Crispvs
Who is called \'\'Paul\'\' by no-one other than his wife, parents and brothers.  :!: <img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_exclaim.gif" alt=":!:" title="Exclamation" />:!:

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.romanarmy.net">www.romanarmy.net
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#12
Quote:To do this you will need to anneal the plate until it goes red (hold it in pliers and do NOT touch it until it has thoroughly cooled down - brass conducts heat well and it will take a while).

Can't the brass be put into tepid water? It's been mentioned a lot on RAT in the past.
TARBICvS/Jim Bowers
A A A DESEDO DESEDO!
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#13
If you cool it down with water all of a sudden it will harden and become brittle. I remember seeing that and I don't think the guy was 100% with what he was saying. Though I may be wrong. But I do know dipping red hot metal into water hardens it and becomes brittle...so...
Thanks Crisps...I will do that. I will use my back side as the front. Wish me luck :wink: jk aha :-|
Sam
Samuel J.
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#14
No, not brass. That's the point.

Here are the search results. Lots of people quench their cupric alloy, and some even say it's part of the annealing process.
TARBICvS/Jim Bowers
A A A DESEDO DESEDO!
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#15
Iron and bronze alloys are different! I understand tha cooling it either fast with hot water or letting it cool slowly produce the same effect! Working the the brass while hot will cause it to shatter though!
So I have been led to believe!
Cooling iron in water will harden it! Smile

Correct me if I'm wrong,anyone!
Visne partem mei capere? Comminus agamus! * Me semper rogo, Quid faceret Iulius Caesar? * Confidence is a good thing! Overconfidence is too much of a good thing.
[b]Legio XIIII GMV. (Q. Magivs)RMRS Remember Atuatuca! Vengence will be ours!
Titus Flavius Germanus
Batavian Coh I
Byron Angel
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