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Brass Pulley for My TT

I recently had a machine shop make a Brass pulley for me to try, it is working great but; I am seeing some yellowish dust which I assume is brass. Is this normal? I don't have much knowledge of Brass so I am looking for answers??? Will this stop after a while or not? The belt is made of Mylar.. I have cleaned it off a couple times but it is still producing it...
jsman
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
10,097 posts
 
Cymbals are made of brass, as are saxes, etc. Brass oxidizes, which is why cymbals become tarnished. Not a good material for a pulley, imo. You could have it chrome plated, I suppose.
brf
1,715 posts
 
I would hazard a guess that the friction of mylar belt is polishing the brass, therefore, leaving a slight residue.  This is not a bad sign as the smoother the brass surface becomes, the better molecular adhesion. 
jsman OP
246 posts
 
brf,
I am hoping you are right, that's what I am thinking also. That the shop didn't polish it enough I guess time will tell.
invictus005
597 posts
 
Brass is soft and a bad choice for a pulley. The mylar belt may polish a spot and stop, or it may continue to keep cutting it and producing brass powder.

Precision pulleys are made from stainless steel. 
jsman OP
246 posts
 
invictus005,
Yes I agree my other pulley is made from SS, he told me he would make one from SS if I wanted it. 
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