Brass and Copper rod

[Von Calyptra]

My local source for metal rods and tubes has become unreliable. Can anyone suggest an online resource?

Also, functionally, what's the difference between brass and copper? The displays in hobby and art supply stores tend to be in such disarray that I can't tell which is which, let alone if one is more desirable than the other. (I'm guessing one bends more easily?)

 

[Arkhanist]

Brass is copper alloyed with zinc. Pure copper is softer and will scratch more easily. Brass is usually a bit stiffer than copper (i.e. harder to bend), but also holds its final shape a bit better. Zinc is cheaper than copper, so brass should be cheaper than pure copper. If you're using them for structural elements, they should be fairly interchangeable unless you're putting a lot of load on them, in which case brass is better. Aluminium wire should be cheaper but softer than either (and is fairly dull looking), but also fine for pinning joints that won't be under much stress etc. but less suitable for standalone rods/tubing that won't bend.

Colour-wise, copper will be a reddish shade that tarnishes quickly (but polishes up to that lovely red coppery glow) while brass has a more golden colour and tarnishes more slowly, which is why you tend to see more brass than copper for decorative fixtures.

 

[Duke Danse Macabre]

Personally I just use ebay, never failed me yet just don't like getting my plastic card from there.

 

[Alastor]

I concur, eBay is great for so many things, but plasticard is not one of them.

 

[Duke Danse Macabre]

They always bugger up the thicknesses and to be honest building materials is not something I like getting offline but there are few in person shops for this kind of stuff these days.