Looking for info on annealing...

[Icelandic]

So I've heard that it may be a good idea to anneal the brass sheets before trying to flatten them into hinges; I was assuming that a torch would be the best way, so I went to Home De(s)pot today to check them out, and found that there are three different fuel-types that I could find: Oxygen, Propane, and ?Mapp? (not really sure what the last one was called) anyway, which one of these is best? Is there a specific, or suggested method that anyone has going as far as annealing goes? I would be very thankful for any help you gurus could give. Thanks!

[Marcus Julius]

I'd go with the propane. For most people it's easier to find fuel for. Personally, I use propane to fuel my forge as well. Living where I do, I can drive as little as a half an hour away to get propane. Where Oxy/Acetylene MAPP, or any other fancier stuff is a two hour drive.

Remember that annealing brass is the opposite to annealing steel. You have to dunk it after heating to soften it, where dunking steel after heating will harden it.

[Wes]

I also use propane. On the small torches, you can use the small 1 pound camp bottles. You can usually get them in 2 packs pretty reasonably at Wal-mart.

Mapp gas is good for hotter projects, brazing and cutting.

[Marcus Mummius]

Remember that the brass will be softer if you let it cool naturally after anealing. It's better than cooling it in water.

Whatever you do, never work brass hot (it will break)!

Vale,

[brennivs - tony drake]

Icelandic if you use a liquid soap and cover the piece with it, when you heat the piece up it will turn black and it has reached its optinum annealing temprature then let it cool down. Hope this is of some help Regards Brennivs D

[Icelandic]

I assume then, that I could buff out the blackness, and get it back to near-original brass colors?

[M. Demetrius]

quote]I could buff out the blackness[/quote]
A bath in vinegar will take much of the tarnish off. A little polishing will shine it back up.

[brennivs - tony drake]

The beauty of useing soap is it will simple wash of with water it is only dried up with the heat . No matter what your heat sorce is it takes the guess work out of knowen the temprature, if i remember right I think we used something like swarfega Regards Brennivs D