Dodge Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 I have a large brass piece I want to make mountable. Ok, its a large Marine Corps emblem about 5" x 5" but it has no way to mount it to anything, so I thought about silver soldering some threaded couplings to the back of it for mounting purposes. I think the couplers I have may be stainless steel due to the reaction I observed the last time I soldered one to a steel knife tang. My question is, 'will there be a problem with electrolysis by soldering ss or even, perhaps a zinc plated coupler to brass, or is it even a factor I need to worry about?' I should say that this emblem will be subjected to all kinds of weather conditions as it will be mounted to a motor vehicle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ten Hammers Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 Scott, I might just go to the hardware store and find some brass machine screws, washers and nuts. If you insulated the fixing point to mount ( between the washers and the vehicle ) with some dialectric grease it might be the answer. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LDW Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 We made some large copper sailboats one time and brazed stainless rods to represent the ropes coming from the mast, and they fell off. Had to go back and use copper. Here is a galvanic reaction pdf chart I found on the web. It says the farther apart on the list that the metals are the worse the reaction is.http://www.grabberman.com/Media/TechnicalData/127.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MooseRidge Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 How thick is it? Drill and tap for brass bolts.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chyancarrek Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 Hey Dodge, Given that it's going to be subjected to the stresses of the road (vibration as well as weather) the guys above may be right in leaning towards a more mechanical means to fasten it down. The sculptor I work with always uses SS to provide mounting hardware for his bronze pieces. He welds them in place and to date (over 50 years), galvanic reaction hasn't been a problem . . . not sure about brass tho. Let us know what you find out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dodge Posted May 23, 2008 Author Share Posted May 23, 2008 (edited) Thanks for you input guys. What I ended up doing after having no success with silver solder was to braze a 1/2 bolt to the back/inside of the globe. It was cast hollow and too thin to drill anything without drilling through it. This was not an option I wanted to explore except as a last result. As it was, I was worried about melting through it while brazing as this was a gift from a dear friend and I feared I was taking a chance on ruining it. Well, I went for it anyway and managed to only cause in a tiny dimple in the South America part. We will call it a topographical enhancement if it doesn't polish out ;) Edited May 23, 2008 by Dodge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferrous Beuler Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 Scott, Very nice indeed. I WANT ONE!!! Would that happen to be from Sgt. Grit?:cool:Dan Semper Fi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dodge Posted May 23, 2008 Author Share Posted May 23, 2008 I think it might be, Dan. I'll ask the guy that gave it to me. He ordered several but didn't say where from. It originally only had a small loop to hang it on the wall or door etc. Its now on the grill of my truck. With the bolt I brazed on it it mounts just like a regulation sized emblem. Now all I need is a reeely big cover (for you civvies, thats a hat LOL) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bentiron1946 Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 Your a metalsmith, fabricate it! Just a little something to do in your spare time.LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chyancarrek Posted May 24, 2008 Share Posted May 24, 2008 Your a metalsmith, fabricate it! Just a little something to do in your spare time.LOLHey Dodge, check out Elizabeth Brim's work, using her techniques you could come up with a great looking forged cover! Make sure to post a pic of the emblem after you mount it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dodge Posted May 24, 2008 Author Share Posted May 24, 2008 Forged cover! COOL IDEA!!! Thanks :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dodge Posted June 6, 2008 Author Share Posted June 6, 2008 (edited) Sorry I took so long, but here it is mounted I had it mounted on the grill but I wanted it centered and I didn't want to drill into the grill. Had to drill the bumper but that blank area screamed for it Now, I hope nobody needs a push! LOL BTW Dan O. I asked my friend where he gets them and he just said "Not from SGT Grit". Sorry, he won't tell me any more. Edited June 7, 2008 by Dodge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MRobb Posted June 6, 2008 Share Posted June 6, 2008 Looks great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cwilliams Posted June 6, 2008 Share Posted June 6, 2008 Looks good Dodge. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.