Monday, May 28, 2012 — I’m finally getting around to blogging about another homebrew key I picked up recently on eBay, one that’s certainly worth your time to read 
about (if you’re a fan of semi-automatic bugs, that is).
MEET BRASSY. Brassy is a homebrew semi-automatic key, and my guess is that she was built sometime since 1965. That’s purely a less-than-educated guess; it may be older. I’m looking at the materials used and the styles in making my guesstimation.
Brassy uses allen head cap screws for all the adjustment, other than the dash return spring adjustment. The travel stops are rather long screws with shoulders, and the shoulders prevent full use of the adjustment range needed (as I found out). The builder used plain nuts to lock the adjustments. Brassy also uses a larger-than-normal-diameter weight rod; the only bug weights that would fit were off my McElroy bugs (Brassy came without any weights).
Brassy’s pivot frame is beautifully shaped from heavy brass, and the horizontal arms are attached with two screws in each. The 
paddle looks like some sort of fiberglass PC board material; it is riveted in place to the main lever … the rivets are done professionally, and do not look like the cheap aluminum rivets I use. The dash lever isn’t actually “hinged”; it uses rivets to attach the dash lever to the main keying arm; the dash lever tension spring controls the throw. It’s interesting how well it works without an actual “hinge” in sight.
The dash contact post is situated very close to the lever, I’m sure by design since the keying lever isn’t hinged per se. In the photo close-up of the pivot frame, you can see that the dash lever actually has a bend so it goes around the pivot pin of the keying lever.
The fit and finish of this key is outstanding; all the brass is finished in a very nicely done brushed finish. A lot thought went into this key. The wiring and connections on the bottom where placed in countersunken holes or trenches. The key has three low-profile rubber feet held on with short screws.
DAMPER A NICE TOUCH. The adjustable damper seemed a little silly at first — until I wanted to put the key on the air. The weight lever wasn’t returning fully to the damper wheel; by loosening the adjustment screw, it was no problem to move the damper over a bit so the lever made contact. After I slipped on a McElroy weight, Brassy came to life. The lock nuts were locked tight, and I had to find a small wrench to break them loose. Brassy’s maker certainly wanted those adjustments to stay!
I don’t particularly like the cap screw adjustments; the shoulders on the cap screws really limit the adjustment range; oddly enough, the dash contact screw is extremely short. I guess it all comes down to individual preference really, because I have Brassy playing fine since the damper also is adjustable.
Note the single paddle affixed to Brassy’s keying lever; “affixed” may be understatement .. its riveted to the keying lever. The material is a fiberglass-type of material, similar to that used in some PC boardsb, but the material is very fiberous. I wondered what would happen if the paddle was broken off; I don’t really wish to find out!
The key could really use a finger knob; the paddle has no real thickness, either, so its a little “different” to use. At least the Coffin Bug has some heft to its paddle. Judging by how little room there is between the dash lever spring and the end of the actual metal keying lever, I don’t think there’s room to add the traditional finger and knob pieces like used on other bugs. What’s that saying? “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it??”
Enough of this stuff, I’ve got real work to do. (Ugh!)
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