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geekhack Marketplace => Interest Checks => Topic started by: The_Beast on Wed, 25 June 2014, 19:18:58

Title: [IC] - Copper and Brass plates
Post by: The_Beast on Wed, 25 June 2014, 19:18:58
Any interest in CNC milled copper or brass plates?


I already talked to my laser guy, but he said it's a no go for laser cutting copper or brass, so they'd have the be CNC milled. It just so happens that I now have access to a CNC mill. Since they're CNCed, I more than likely won't do removedable switch top cutouts (square cutouts with a round mill is imposable without a secondary process), , but I should be able to thicker plates.

Price isn't known since I don't have a time estimate on plates and I'm not sure exactly how they plate would be held during machining.
Title: Re: [IC] - Copper and Brass plates
Post by: Halverson on Wed, 25 June 2014, 19:20:46
What kind of price are we looking at for say a 60%?
Title: Re: [IC] - Copper and Brass plates
Post by: mashby on Wed, 25 June 2014, 19:23:04
A copper epsilon and a poker plate would be awesome.
Title: Re: [IC] - Copper and Brass plates
Post by: The_Beast on Wed, 25 June 2014, 19:24:27
What kind of price are we looking at for say a 60%?

Price isn't known. This is going to require tooling and maybe a specialized hold down system.
Title: Re: [IC] - Copper and Brass plates
Post by: AKmalamute on Wed, 25 June 2014, 19:31:49
I think I'm broke. Drooling, but broke.

And yes, for any who have a poker case with brass suit-cutouts, having a brass plate would be a nice touch.
Title: Re: [IC] - Copper and Brass plates
Post by: yicaoyimu on Wed, 25 June 2014, 19:41:21
This sounds like a very interesting idea. Very interested.
Title: Re: [IC] - Copper and Brass plates
Post by: hwood34 on Wed, 25 June 2014, 19:56:18
What kind of price are we looking at for say a 60%?

Price isn't known. This is going to require tooling and maybe a specialized hold down system.
Rough estimate, over or under $100?
Title: Re: [IC] - Copper and Brass plates
Post by: The_Beast on Wed, 25 June 2014, 20:38:09
What kind of price are we looking at for say a 60%?

Price isn't known. This is going to require tooling and maybe a specialized hold down system.
Rough estimate, over or under $100?

More than likely, but I can't be certain until I find out programing and machine time. Even if it's right at $100, it would still be WAY cheaper than CNCed plates from a machine shop.
Title: Re: [IC] - Copper and Brass plates
Post by: hwood34 on Wed, 25 June 2014, 21:02:29
What kind of price are we looking at for say a 60%?

Price isn't known. This is going to require tooling and maybe a specialized hold down system.
Rough estimate, over or under $100?

More than likely, but I can't be certain until I find out programing and machine time. Even if it's right at $100, it would still be WAY cheaper than CNCed plates from a machine shop.
you had my curiosity, but now you have my attention
Title: Re: [IC] - Copper and Brass plates
Post by: geniekid on Wed, 25 June 2014, 21:16:33
Are there material advantages of brass over aluminum/stainless steel?
Title: Re: [IC] - Copper and Brass plates
Post by: MrChunky on Thu, 26 June 2014, 00:38:37
Brass would be significantly heavier. Copper is also quite soft. As for tortion properties, I would say aluminium is the weakest one (considering high grade alloys are not used), as for brass, steel and titanium, they are all very stiff so no palpable differences there I would say. I am not sure what other stuff matters?
Title: Re: [IC] - Copper and Brass plates
Post by: okwchin on Thu, 26 June 2014, 08:53:39
Brass would be significantly heavier. Copper is also quite soft. As for tortion properties, I would say aluminium is the weakest one (considering high grade alloys are not used), as for brass, steel and titanium, they are all very stiff so no palpable differences there I would say. I am not sure what other stuff matters?

I would on the other hand, be concerned about the practical implications of copper from a strength point of view. Unless you have a significant thickness, you will have a thick and heavy plate, but cannot expect to much from it strength wise. It will help over no plate, but it is not as ideal structurally. Its malleability is also a concern.

Brass on the other hand would be better. It will still give you a degree of patina (if you handle it a lot before installation) and has a degree of strength that is usable.

SS, Steel and Ti plates will still be your strongest options, but Al and Brass would be good too. Personally I dislike the oxidative nature of brass, but do enjoy working with it.
Title: Re: [IC] - Copper and Brass plates
Post by: The_Beast on Fri, 27 June 2014, 18:27:19
Brass would be significantly heavier. Copper is also quite soft. As for tortion properties, I would say aluminium is the weakest one (considering high grade alloys are not used), as for brass, steel and titanium, they are all very stiff so no palpable differences there I would say. I am not sure what other stuff matters?

I would on the other hand, be concerned about the practical implications of copper from a strength point of view. Unless you have a significant thickness, you will have a thick and heavy plate, but cannot expect to much from it strength wise. It will help over no plate, but it is not as ideal structurally. Its malleability is also a concern.

Brass on the other hand would be better. It will still give you a degree of patina (if you handle it a lot before installation) and has a degree of strength that is usable.

SS, Steel and Ti plates will still be your strongest options, but Al and Brass would be good too. Personally I dislike the oxidative nature of brass, but do enjoy working with it.

In this application, I don't really thing strength plays a huge part


Anyways, this would mostly be for people who want something unique or one off. How many brass or copper plates have you seen?
Title: Re: [IC] - Copper and Brass plates
Post by: okwchin on Fri, 27 June 2014, 21:58:22
Brass would be significantly heavier. Copper is also quite soft. As for tortion properties, I would say aluminium is the weakest one (considering high grade alloys are not used), as for brass, steel and titanium, they are all very stiff so no palpable differences there I would say. I am not sure what other stuff matters?

I would on the other hand, be concerned about the practical implications of copper from a strength point of view. Unless you have a significant thickness, you will have a thick and heavy plate, but cannot expect to much from it strength wise. It will help over no plate, but it is not as ideal structurally. Its malleability is also a concern.

Brass on the other hand would be better. It will still give you a degree of patina (if you handle it a lot before installation) and has a degree of strength that is usable.

SS, Steel and Ti plates will still be your strongest options, but Al and Brass would be good too. Personally I dislike the oxidative nature of brass, but do enjoy working with it.

In this application, I don't really thing strength plays a huge part


Anyways, this would mostly be for people who want something unique or one off. How many brass or copper plates have you seen?


Copper (and brass) is certainly going to achieve the unique factor :) And i guess to put it into perspective, plate mounted switches are certainly strong enough by themselves, therefore I can agree that strength is not a primary concern.