Hi members~ 

 

I am trying to setup a meat stick, and looking at lews super duty reel. I notice it is has brass gear. 

 

Other than better corrosion resistance, whats the pros and cons of brass gear compared to aluminum? Brass seems like weaker metal, so wondering why its on lews heavy duty model..

 

 

Thank you for any help!

 

   Brass comes in many grades. High-grade brass is cheaper than high-grade aluminum. Brass is (usually) easier to machine. Brass is quieter. Whenever I have a choice, which I don't necessarily have all the time, I take brass gears.   jj

3 minutes ago, jimmyjoe said:

   Brass comes in many grades. High-grade brass is cheaper than high-grade aluminum. Brass is (usually) easier to machine. Brass is quieter. Whenever I have a choice, which I don't necessarily have all the time, I take brass gears.   jj

thank you for the reply! Any thought on issue with durability of brass?

From what I've read brass gears hold up better over time than aluminum.  Someone like WRB could give you a more definitive answer.

 

Brass is easier to machine.  A brass alloy is something different.

1 hour ago, new2BC4bass said:

From what I've read brass gears hold up better over time than aluminum.  Someone like WRB could give you a more definitive answer.

 

Brass is easier to machine.  A brass alloy is something different.

Yes, from my experience brass wins in the durability and longevity aspect. DVT is the one I am waiting for as he actually has experience repairing and inspecting reels.

1 hour ago, new2BC4bass said:

Brass is easier to machine.  A brass alloy is something different. 

   All brasses are alloys. They're alloys of copper and tin, and the proportions vary according to the desired characteristics. Density also varies, but not significantly enough to be of any importance to fishermen.   jj

So the compromise is weight on brass with better durability.  I also feel better connected and smoother but that's me.  Aluminum is light and strong.  

Well cared for brass gears last a long time.

I prefer brass, it does feel smoother IMO.

Conventional wisdom is that brass gears are more durable. Any difference in feel I think goes more to weight than any other quality of the material. Keep in mind actual material varies and machining matters. Anecdotally, I rarely need to replace gears of brass or aluminum. Not a deal breaker for me either way all else being equal. Sorry I can’t be more definitive. Buy quality and you’ll be fine. 

9 hours ago, jimmyjoe said:

   All brasses are alloys. They're alloys of copper and tin, and the proportions vary according to the desired characteristics. Density also varies, but not significantly enough to be of any importance to fishermen.   jj

Brass is not on the periodic table so yeah, an alloy.  I was referring to 'brass' brass as in the material we get for jobs specifying brass.  You know...that material that is a pleasure to machine, but with tiny chips that love to stick you.  

 

I haven't looked up the makeup of an alloy in years.  I let the engineers decide what is best for the intended use.  I just machine the part....sometimes.  Mainly I program the jobs.

1 hour ago, Delaware Valley Tackle said:

Conventional wisdom is that brass gears are more durable. Any difference in feel I think goes more to weight than any other quality of the material. Keep in mind actual material varies and machining matters. Anecdotally, I rarely need to replace gears of brass or aluminum. Not a deal breaker for me either way all else being equal. Sorry I can’t be more definitive. Buy quality and you’ll be fine. 

 

That is nice to know.  Thanks.

9 hours ago, jimmyjoe said:

   All brasses are alloys. They're alloys of copper and tin, and the proportions vary according to the desired characteristics. Density also varies, but not significantly enough to be of any importance to fishermen.   jj

Actually, BRONZE is an alloy of copper and tin.  Brass is copper and zinc.  The aluminum gears used in reels are also an alloy.  Aluminum gears are very hard, and so far the reels that I own have held up well.  One, and Alphas Ito Ai is at least a dozen years old.  Brass, is much heavier, but also very durable.

Aluminum isn't particularly strong or tough, but it is tough enough. Chemically when steel, or iron oxidizes you get rust, it's soft and can be rubbed of with your hand. When aluminum oxidizes you get a very hard, tough material used to make sandpaper, it also protects the aluminum underneath.

12 hours ago, hahmmo said:

Hi members~ 

 

I am trying to setup a meat stick, and looking at lews super duty reel. I notice it is has brass gear. 

 

Other than better corrosion resistance, whats the pros and cons of brass gear compared to aluminum? Brass seems like weaker metal, so wondering why its on lews heavy duty model..

 

 

Thank you for any help!

 

Brass is a better material to make gears from than aluminum, period. Aluminum is used in order to achieve a lighter weight.

11 hours ago, new2BC4bass said:

A brass alloy is something different.

Brass IS an alloy...

24 minutes ago, J Francho said:

Actually, BRONZE is an alloy of copper and tin.  Brass is copper and zinc

   Correct. My bad.

   You don't happen to have a cure for old age, do you? I need one.  ??   jj

 

   p.s.  shot form is OK.

I only know it because my cymbals are B20 Bronze.

3 minutes ago, J Francho said:

I only know it because my cymbals are B20 Bronze.

I didn't know they made low hats...  

 

11 minutes ago, BassWhole! said:

I didn't know they made low hats...  

 

https://www.moderndrummer.com/article/february-2018-dw-5000-series-lowboy-hi-hat/

 

Just now, J Francho said:

https://www.moderndrummer.com/article/february-2018-dw-5000-series-lowboy-hi-hat/

 

LOL.

Google Paulina Villareal, part metronome, part John Bonham. Tiny, but she seems to trash some part of the kit each gig.

5 hours ago, BassWhole! said:

Brass IS an alloy...

I've already been properly chastised.    Didn't realize there are so many people on here aware of the differences in materials.  I'll try to be more careful next time.  

I gotta ask. What’s a “meat stick”.

Another term for flipping stick. 

Ok thanks.