Shopsmith Forums

I have a turning project where I will be making handles for some garden tools. I have some reservations about using the brass with the aluminum eclectically. I also might have some proper sized copper pipe but I think that is even worse match.
So what do you think? Any other ideas?

Ed

Well, it's hard to beat brass or copper for ease of metalworking. I'm not sure I know a silver-colored option other than maybe some aluminum.

If the tools get used a lot, the ferrule color will be forgotten soon. If the tools are seldom-used, and kept clean & dry, well then, even pinstriping on the metal could be fun. I actually did a red circle-pinstripe on a watch bezel last Christmas season (using 250rpm on the Shopsmith), and it was putting a grin on my face.

Chris

You could turn it black with this stuff, if you like that look better.

https://www.amazon.com/Birchwood-Casey- ... B0000C514O

EMT conduit,
Or, if you have some, scrap aluminum tubing.

What size do you need? EMT conduit, aluminum or steel tubing would give you the silver colored ferrule that would match the tools.

https://www.menards.com/main/hardware/s ... 418537.htm

https://www.menards.com/main/electrical ... c-6423.htm

To prevent galvanic corrosion between the aluminum and the brass ferule, what about a polypropylene washer or a similar insulator placed between them to prevent it? Of course, this only prevents edge to edge corrosion starting between these two dissimilar metals. Of course, if there is any significant moisture in the wooden handle it could serve as a channel between them. Though it may take many years before it corrodes significantly from the handle. Just some thoughts...looks like a fun project.

Silver paint on the ferrule.
Or you could tin it with solder.

No need to worry about dissimilar metals as the two will never come all that close to one another.

Still haven't decided on what I want to do. I did dig out some copper that I used for some lathe chisels years back but have not cut it to length or tried tinning it.

Paint I'm afraid will not last long when used in a garden setting but that blacking agent might be interesting. It is $10 but I bet I could find other uses for it so it would not just be for these three tools.

The included plans don't even call for this feature but I think it would be better off with it in place both mechanically and visually.

Hope to start turning them this week, maybe tomorrow so I will have to make up my mind soon. Interesting that no one said hey the ones you have look just fine....

Ed

reible wrote: Hope to start turning them this week, maybe tomorrow so I will have to make up my mind soon. Interesting that no one said hey the ones you have look just fine....

Ed

I thought if that was an option, you wouldn't have asked.
Looks fine to me, but I'm a function over form kind of guy.

Aesthetically speaking, I think the brass and aluminum look great together with the dark wood handle. Maybe I misunderstand your question originally regarding putting these two metals together...