Brass tube, or plated steel?

[morqthana]

I've got a coat rack which is partially made of steel tubes with a naff-looking brass coloured (sort of) plastic coating, and I want to replace them with real brass. They're about 1m long, one has 5 or 6 hooks for coats, the other is bare for hangers to be hooked over.

I've noticed that some people selling tube for wardrobe rails are using brass plated steel. Is this purely for cost reasons, or is it because brass would bend?

I'd be using 19mm tube with 1.5mm wall thickness, or possibly 16 gauge which is a tad thicker, so reasonably sturdy, I think, but would I be better off using plated steel?

That's assuming I could even get plated steel with an I/D of 16mm - that matters because the ends slide over some other tubes which are about 16mm O/D.

 

[Wayners]

I used steel cable conduit. The way the wife loads it anything else would bend.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/deta-tte-round-steel-galvanised-class-4-conduit-tube-20mm-x-3m/7734J?tc=MA7&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwwe2_BhBEEiwAM1I7sTgQOrtlECIMnsPsEfIZ2bHBnOC0V06507D8Rvx_9Cmbeud7o9F14BoCX_gQAvD_BwE

You want something better looking like brass?

 

[morqthana]

Yes - the whole point of the exercise is to make it look better - it's not a rail in a wardrobe.

It's the rail at the front (and back, with hooks on, but you can't see that very well in the photo) which has the sort-of-brass-coloured plastic coating. Don't think that galvanised tube would be much of an improvement. And anyway, 20mm is too big.

This is why O/D matters:

And this why I/D:

 

[Wayners]

Walk in b&q and they sell brass and chrome tube for wardrobes or worktop support.

They also sell bar to make curtain poles with various fittings.

You can also Google brass foor bar for another option.

You could also use copper pipe and polish

 

[morqthana]

Walk in b&q and they sell brass and chrome tube for wardrobes or worktop support.

Can't see any 19mm brass wardrobe rail in B&Q, only brass plated.

Is this purely for cost reasons, or is it because brass would bend?

They also sell bar to make curtain poles with various fittings.

Can't see any 19mm brass curtain rods in B&Q, only brass effect.

Is this purely for cost reasons, or is it because brass would bend?

You can also Google brass foor bar for another option.

So they make foot bars out of 19mm tube with a 1.5mm/16ga wall thickness?

Does that work well?

You could also use copper pipe and polish

What polish should I use to make copper look like brass?

Also, I always thought that brass was stronger than copper, but your suggestion would indicate otherwise. Can you refer me to any properties data which confirms that copper is stronger than brass?

 

[Wayners]

Copper is probably going to be too soft as you say.

As for brass foot bar I've seen it being used and fitted but not my area of knowledge.

Bit of a specialist area this Vs general DIY.

 

[GhostIntMachine]

So they make foot bars out of 19mm tube with a 1.5mm/16ga wall thickness?

Does that work well?

Foot bars in pubs and bars is generally a lot bigger than that - the type I've fitted were 50mm diameter and over

Also, I always thought that brass was stronger than copper, but your suggestion would indicate otherwise. Can you refer me to any properties data which confirms that copper is stronger than brass?

Brass is harder and stiffer than copper. For maximum load bearing you need to look for oval tube rather than round - far stiffer so will carry more weight over a given span. This is what I mean

 

[morqthana]

Thanks for confirming - I couldn't imagine

brass foor bar

coming in

19mm

nor that

copper pipe

would be strong enough.

And it has to be round.

But thanks for reminding me that I still need to actually buy some!! Haven't found anybody doing polished cut to length, so it'll be mill finish and some hand polishing if necessary.

 

[GhostIntMachine]

Why round, though?

TBH as far as round copper pipe goes it is actually far easier to get hold of than brass, mainly because it is still widely used in plumbing (although that is changing in commercial work). The main thing to be aware of is that for a given pipe size it isn't as stiff as brass would be, so it's more likely to deflect under load, or possibly need more suspension points. You'll struggle to change the colour of copper in any durable way without resorting to having it plated. If cost is a major consideration surely polished brass finish steel tube would be better, like this stuff. More expensive than copper, but stiffer than copper or brass. You may need to make your own end plugs up, though

 

[morqthana]

Why round, though?

I've got a coat rack which is partially made of steel tubes with a naff-looking brass coloured (sort of) plastic coating, and I want to replace them with real brass. They're about 1m long, one has 5 or 6 hooks for coats, the other is bare for hangers to be hooked over.

View attachment 378870

If cost is a major consideration surely polished brass finish steel tube would be better, like this stuff. More expensive than copper, but stiffer than copper or brass.

No - cost isn't an issue, I only need a couple of m and brass is only a few quid more than plated steel.

You may need to make your own end plugs up, though

As long as the OD is 19mm/¾" it will fit these:

View attachment 378872

and as for these:

View attachment 378871

I'll get some replacements 3D printed anyway so that they are black to match.

 

[jj4091]

Just seenthis and thought it was cheap enough to modify for you needs https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=AT26...EoKgnMysJG1QUl6c0gupEeovUR2KzY&__tn__=,<,mH-R