K&S Metals | How to bend Brass for scale models tutorial |

Published 15 May 2021
BJ demonstrates how to easily heat and bend brass shapes for use on modelling projects.
Heat with a naked flame from a gas cooktop or gas torch until the brass changes colour and then allow to slowly cool. This process anneals the brass, making it soft and easy to manipulate.
If you need the original strength back after you bend then reheat the brass and then quickly cool by quenching in cold water.
K&S brass is readily available in a huge range of shapes and sizes.
K&S has been providing custom jobs and stocked product for over 75 years! Throughout the years, we were able to accomplish some big milestones that we are excited to continue to explore.
More information:
www.hearnshobbies.com/search?...
ksmetals.com/
****************************************************************************
Sign up and let us know what you would like to see in the next videos.
News Letter: www.hearnshobbies.com/pages/n...
Instagram: bit.ly/35wCikH
Facebook: / hearnshobbies
Facebook The Hobbyman: / hobbymannarrewarren
Twitter @hearnshobbies
Twitch: twitch.tv/hearnshobbies

[@Chromolume]

I've never worked with brass tubing before and I will need to soon. This video is very clear and helpful. I am confident I will have success. Thank you!

[@HearnsHobbiesMelbourne]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you for watching!

[@qaibas]

Very good video.

[@HearnsHobbiesMelbourne]

Thank you very much!

[@madman1257]

Handy video, does the same apply to bending rectangular tubing when bending on the tall side?

[@HearnsHobbiesMelbourne]

Thank you for watching! Yes the same principles apply but rectangular tubing is more difficult to bend.

[@ingridwilkins3886]

thanks for the video can you solder the pieces together and if so what type of solder would you use

[@HearnsHobbiesMelbourne]

Thank you for watching! Yes, brass solders very well with regular electrical solder.

[@rickburrington408]

Great Video, does square brass tubing bend the same way?

[@HearnsHobbiesMelbourne]

Thank you for watching! Yes, square section does bend the same way. You will need to be careful with tight bends as the square section can fold over itself, much like round tube when bent too far.

[@RoadsterLoverMedia]

After annealing and hardening, how do you restore the brass coloring? Thank you.

[@HearnsHobbiesMelbourne]

Thank you for watching! The heat discoloration can be sanded and polished to a bright finish.

[@studio12archive60]

Very helpful. BTW, the white base makes it very hard to see what you are doing at times. It glares. Need a different colour

[@HearnsHobbiesMelbourne]

Glad it was helpful. We have been experimenting with different base colours and this wasn't the best. Thank you for your feedback!

[@craigcoghlan546]

Does it hold it sharp, or does it collapse. I need to make a set of extractors for a glow engine ,tube size is 7mm OD

[@HearnsHobbiesMelbourne]

Thank you for your question! The integrity and shape of the bend depends on how tight the bend is. Without internal support the tube will eventually collapse. For consistent internal shape integrity, fill the inside of the tube with fine sand or plastic rod to spread the load internally. If using sand, use a small box of sand and insert the tube while filling the internals. Bend it while embedded in the sand so there is sand all around the tube. If using plastic rod you will need to heat the tube to burn out the rod, and then polish the inside.

[@torr8383]

Could we some finished projects by either Hearn’s customers or team members.

[@HearnsHobbiesMelbourne]

Sure, we can feature finished works in the future.

[@JoshDeMarchiPercussion]

If I was bending solid brass rod 10 or 12mm is the process still the same? Heat then let it cool or bend whilst hot? Cheers!

[@HearnsHobbiesMelbourne]

Yes, the process is the same for any thickness. It will be more pliable while still hot.

[@JoshDeMarchiPercussion]

@@HearnsHobbiesMelbourne awesome. Thanks for the reply, appreciate it

[@michaeldelgado5895]

What can be used to glue two of these together

[@HearnsHobbiesMelbourne]

Hello! CA (superglue) or epoxy glue can bond metals. Brass can also be soldered together.

[@blankspace9184]

What are the dimensions of the tubes used in the video?

[@modelman8139]

Looks to be 1/16" and 3/32". I could be wrong though.

[@HearnsHobbiesMelbourne]

The tubes are around 2mm but the techniques can be used for any size.

[@admaswilliams3777]

How can I bend it and keep the color and shine?

[@HearnsHobbiesMelbourne]

After bending you can re-polish to get the color and shine back.

[@Raymar651]

The torch you used where did you get it from? Thanks

[@HearnsHobbiesMelbourne]

That is a cheap torch lighter I bought from my local supermarket.

[@andymendez1926]

What about bending perfect 90 degrees

[@HearnsHobbiesMelbourne]

That is possible.