Bent badges/medal devices etc

[Khaki]

Has anyone experimented with straightening deformed badge features such as those with protruding rifle barrels, pennants, horse tails etc? Are they better left alone or is there a SAFE process that ensures they won't break?

Opinions very welcome

khaki

[Old Owl]

Hi Khaki,

The application of heat is one method for straightening a very badly bent badge--but of course great care must be taken!! Generally only slight bends and bumps can be removed/straightened by hand, unfortunately metal 'age hardens' and particularly copper and its alloys become brittle and break when straightened. Copper fastening loops are a classic and if badly bent they will break when pressure is applied, however if you can heat them up using a gas torch then it is possible to straighten them without breaking unless too much heat is applied and they then either melt or break--again great care must be taken!!

I believe that there are people who can effect repairs on such items, such a jewellers or people akin to that trade.

There is no easy solution! or at least not one that I have come across.

Robert

[Jerry B]

As Robert posted, it is possible to straighten minor bends by hand, but anything more will need the application of heat,whilst lugs, sliders and blades can be very fragile. Probably best to leave them as they are, as that is part of their history, unless you really need to do it IMO.

[asanewt]

Just for info.

Copper softens when heated to red heat then quenched in water

Aluminiun softens by heating genttly till a wipe of toiiet soap turns black then quench.

Brass softens by air cooling from red.

Lugs protrusions of known content can be heated whilst sensitive areas are held in a heat sink eg under water, water soaked cloth, vice jaws etc

Staybrite badges of brass base look great with coating removed by flame heating then polished to required finish

[Khaki]

Thanks for the suggestions, I think I might leave well enough alone, rather than take the risk!

khaki