Replies

1. 
   MikeHennessy | Oct 28, 2009 01:56pm | #1

   Stained glass suppliers sell chemicals that will darken brass, from brown to black, depending on the chemical used. The nice thing about these is that you have more control on the final look than you would with home-brews. You need to remove the lacquer coating from the brass first, tho'.

   Mike Hennessy
   Pittsburgh, PA
   Everything fits, until you put glue on it.

2. 
   9619 | Oct 28, 2009 02:25pm | #2

   Lub,

   I have read that the gastric acids in a goose's stomach are excellent for aging metal quickly.

   Mel

   Measure your output in smiles per board foot. 

1. 
   WoodLess | Oct 28, 2009 05:48pm | #4

   How do you get the goose to eat the metal?Chuck

1. 
   9619 | Oct 28, 2009 08:50pm | #6

   Woodless,
   "How do you get the goose to eat the metal?"YOu ask hard questions.
   A woodworker must be very clever.
   I guess that you have to reason with the goose and tell the goose how important it is to you. MelMeasure your output in smiles per board foot. 

3. 
   ring | Oct 28, 2009 04:34pm | #3

   If the pieces are plated brass, then don't mess with them. But if they are solid brass you can age them quite easily.

   First you need to remove the clear lacquer that is on them. Soak them overnight in a nitro thinner, or use paint stripper. Rinse with water and dry them.

   Set up a little plastic container with a lid (like Tupperware) so it has a rack or screen bottom that's raised just a bit. You want to be able to pour liquid ammonia into the container and have all your hardware laid out in the space above it but not touching the ammonia at all. Then just close the container and have a look every few hours. They will gradually darken with a nice patina.

   There are faster ways to create the same ageing process, but I find this way simple and controllable for brass hardware.

   David Ring

   http://www.touchwood.co.il/?lang=e&id=1

4. 
   Tony Z | Oct 28, 2009 06:09pm | #5

   Let 'em soak in urine overnight.