Who Got the Brass Ratchet??

[scottg]

This one sat alone all week.
  Don't you just love lousy pictures!!

Got a second guy involved now, so its past my limit.
But I wanted it bad!!
  Its al-bronze too, so it could have been safely polished out.
Hope one of us got it, at least.  I would gladly settle for some good pix of it sparkling!!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/120964714668?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 

yours Scott

[rusty]

Not me, I already have one *gloat*

Hmm, I have been meaning to play with the baldor polisher in the shop...

I wonder how big a mess I can make with the rouge?

[Plyerman]

Oooh, I bet that would polish up pretty.

[mrchuck]

Did not see it,,,,or I would of bid on it.....

[lauver]

scottg

Not me either.

But it is a really nice and unusual ratchet. 

I've got an Ampco al-br ballpein hammer that's way cool.

[BRwrench]

I was the underbidder, I thought that was a really unusual ratchet, I have never seen one before has anyone else?

[Plyerman]

I was the underbidder, I thought that was a really unusual ratchet, I have never seen one before has anyone else?

It's probably a custom prototype, the only one in the whole world. And that brass is actually solid gold.


Heh heh, at least that's how I usually feel about something after I come in second on the bidding.

[Wrenchmensch]

Most AMPCO  and Berylco tools were (are?) made of a beryllium-copper alloy (BeCu).  It is disturbing to see one of their tools so highly polished, because BeCu is a carcinogen.  Any mechanical polishing action releases particles that can be dangerously absorbed in the skin, mucus tissues, or the lungs. 

[rusty]

Ampco is still wround, and primarily making tools of bronze with no Be in them , tho they offer a few special purpose BeCu based tools.

Ampco tools marked AlBr (alumnium-bronze alloy) do not contain any Be....

Berylco is also still around, now part of NGK metals, making mostly making BeCu tools ....

[Wrenchmensch]

Rusty:

BeCu was used because of its strength and it non-conductive properties.  Is AlBr also nonconductive, e.g. safe to use in refineries and explosive plants?

[rusty]

AlBr is mostly (but not absolutely) non magnetic, and non sparking, but not as hard* as BeCu, so for certain applications where you still need a very tough/hard tool , and for applications requiring total absolute non-magnetic tools, BeCu still finds some uses.

Plain old Alumnium is non sparking also, but too soft to make most tools out of
(Alumnium pipe wrenches have steel jaws, and are not safe for flammable work)

* (35HRC vs 45HRC)
(Good knife steel is ~ 55HRC)

[Wrenchmensch]

Thanks, Rusty. 

[Ietech]

Rusty:

BeCu was used because of its strength and it non-conductive properties.  Is AlBr also nonconductive, e.g. safe to use in refineries and explosive plants?

I think you meant non sparking and safe to use in areas where explosives are a danger ---- these metals are ALL CONDUCTIVE  though and should not not to be confused with inslated tools that are used on live electrical circuits.

Yes they are non magnetic which is great and the biggy is that if they are to be used to strike another object or are accidentally hit against another metal or hard objects or dropped on a concrete floor the possible chips will not be sparks.

I am not trying to be a jerk and criticize -- but if a nooby tried these on elect circuits based on the non-conductive properties info above he/she could be in DEEP MANURE

[Wrenchmensch]

You're right!  I did mean non-sparking.  Thanks for catching that!

[Ietech]

I was pretty sure that is what you meant --- Have a good day -- I'm off to work now.

Rich