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u/lanik_2555 3d ago
You can polish it by hand.
And If you want it really shiny, you can use metal polish and leather.
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u/hotdogpartner 3d ago
Dude if you're not sure that's 100% brass, don't go near it. Berrylium copper looks very similar, and is commonly used in non sparking tools, grinding or sanding that stuff is bad fuckin news.
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u/averagesizedideas 3d ago
Ooooh good to know. The product description says 100% brass but I’m never surprised if an Amazon product has false description.
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u/AcceptableSwim8334 3d ago
It probably has a small bit of lead in it and it definitely has zinc in it, both of which are not healthy when breathed so wear a mask when polishing.
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u/macthebearded 2d ago
Beryllium copper tools are also massively more expensive than their normal counterparts. I promise nobody is sneakily selling you that instead of brass, Amazon or otherwise.
Here is an example.That guy must have read that somewhere and is mindlessly regurgitating it. The comment is nonsense and this is not something you need to worry about.
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u/hotdogpartner 1d ago
Not nonsense, safety shouldn't be disregarded. My beryllium copper hammer is the same color, and I work with beryllium copper electrical contacts which are the same color or a bit darker.
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u/averagesizedideas 3d ago
Context: I bought a non-sparking hammer (allegedly 100% brass) as a gift for a friend, to congratulate him on a cool event for his construction company. I’d like to smooth it out before getting it laser engraved. Is that possible? What is the best process for brass?
Will a sander or flap disc work for this? Or do I need a buffing wheel/compound? I don’t have a lot of experience working with metal. Thanks in advance!
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u/DadEngineerLegend 3d ago
Maybe ask the Laser etcher first about a polished surface. I'm not sure, just guessing, but a polished surface may be an issue and make it much harder to etch properly.
Anyway, it doesn't look too bad. A buffing wheel and polishing compound will clean it up pretty quick. Assuming it's actually brass and not coated steel or aluminium.
Some brasso might even get you close enough.
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u/WoketrickStar 3d ago
I thought brass tools still spark. I thought all non spark tools were copper beryllium.
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u/Designer_Situation85 3d ago
Spin a buffing wheel onto a bench grinder and some rouge and go to town.
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u/Fragrant-Cloud5172 2d ago edited 2d ago
I’d use Scotch-Brite. There are numerous grits available. For me I prefer to use a pad on an angle grinder at very slow speed. But some hand polishing pads, like the white one, may be good for you.
https://www.patinas.com/scotch-brite-pads
https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/metalworking-us/products/flat-stock/hand-pads/
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u/basswelder 2d ago
Why? Would it being shiny help its function? I think not. Brasso will make it shine like a white boys heel. Use a fine scotchbrite. I used to polish brass in the navy.
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u/sweetooth89 2d ago
Scotch Brite then hand polished with flitz or another polishing paste or just buffed out on a buffing wheel if you're going for that look.
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u/weelluuuu 3d ago
The least amount of effort would be to remove the handle and toss in a tumbler.
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u/averagesizedideas 3d ago
I was thinking about removing it either way, but this Amazon cheapie hammer seems to be more of an epoxy attachment than classic wedge.
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u/Ecstatic-Tank-9573 3d ago
Basic 400-grit sandpaper to get the rough spots, moving to 800 then 1200. Finish with generic polishing compound and buffing. It won’t be perfect but close enough.