Uniqueness

Due to the hand-made nature of our products, no two are exactly alike. Each piece has its own individual characteristics, just like the people who made them and those who acquire them.

Manufacturing Process

National Aluminum Brass Foundry has been in the sand-cast industry for over 80 years. We utilize the same over-all principles instilled thousands of years ago, but with the advances of modern technology.

First molds are produced with specifically prepared sand, clay and water. Metal is then heated in electric furnaces to temperatures exceeding 2000 degrees Fahrenheit, and poured into these molds.

Finishing

Each casting is ground by hand, then placed in a shot-blast machine to grind the blend marks. After this process, the hardware is loaded into a large burnishing machine with special polishing media and water, then tumbled for extensive periods to blend and gently polish the surface.

Next, the hardware is placed in a heated centrifuge for drying. Once these operations are complete, the knobs and pulls are ready for machining. We drill and tap the pieces “dry” without the use of cutting fluids or lubricants to prevent discoloration. Our hardware is available “raw”, without clear-coat or lacquer of any kind in order to allow the natural process of aging to occur. We will however lacquer the pieces upon request.

Materials

Bear Creek Bronze hardware is produced using certified alloys obtained from domestic sources. The three alloys used are a specific Silicon Bronze containing approximately 90% Copper, 5% Zinc, and 5% Silicon; a high grade Copper alloy containing around 94% Copper, 2% Tin, and 4% Zinc; and our Nickel appearing White Bronze containing approximately 60% Copper, 25% Zinc, 10% Manganese, and 5% Nickel.

Care and Cleaning

As Bear Creek Bronze hardware accessories age, they will develop a natural darkening known as “patina”. We manufacture our hardware with the premise of allowing this natural aging process to occur. Be aware that once this process has begun, complete reversal is impossible. However, if you wish to brighten aged hardware, we recommend using a metal cleaner/tarnish remover. A metal polishing creme works well on any of the alloys to brighten and shine the pieces and can be used instead of a metal cleaner. If using a metal cleaner/tarnish remover, we highly recommend following with a metal polish or light coat of a paste wax to seal the hardware and prevent further darkening. Follow the instructions carefully when using any type of cleaner or polish. If darkening or patina is not desired, simply seal the hardware pieces with a clear lacquer.

Note: It is always recommended to apply a clear lacquer to our hardware accessories when installing outdoors or in highly humid locations.



	Uniqueness Due to the hand-made nature of our products, no two are exactly alike. Each piece has its own individual characteristics, just like the people who made them and those who acquire them. Manufacturing Process National Aluminum Brass Foundry has been in the sand-cast industry for over 80 years. We utilize the same over-all principles instilled thousands of years ago, but with the advances of modern technology. First molds are produced with specifically prepared sand, clay and water. Metal is then heated in electric furnaces to temperatures exceeding 2000 degrees Fahrenheit, and poured into these molds. Finishing Each casting is ground by hand, then placed in a shot-blast machine to grind the blend marks. After this process, the hardware is loaded into a large burnishing machine with special polishing media and water, then tumbled for extensive periods to blend and gently polish the surface. Next, the hardware is placed in a heated centrifuge for drying. Once these operations are complete, the knobs and pulls are ready for machining. We drill and tap the pieces “dry” without the use of cutting fluids or lubricants to prevent discoloration. Our hardware is available “raw”, without clear-coat or lacquer of any kind in order to allow the natural process of aging to occur. We will however lacquer the pieces upon request. Materials Bear Creek Bronze hardware is produced using certified alloys obtained from domestic sources. The three alloys used are a specific Silicon Bronze containing approximately 90% Copper, 5% Zinc, and 5% Silicon; a high grade Copper alloy containing around 94% Copper, 2% Tin, and 4% Zinc; and our Nickel appearing White Bronze containing approximately 60% Copper, 25% Zinc, 10% Manganese, and 5% Nickel. Care and Cleaning As Bear Creek Bronze hardware accessories age, they will develop a natural darkening known as “patina”. We manufacture our hardware with the premise of allowing this natural aging process to occur. Be aware that once this process has begun, complete reversal is impossible. However, if you wish to brighten aged hardware, we recommend using a metal cleaner/tarnish remover. A metal polishing creme works well on any of the alloys to brighten and shine the pieces and can be used instead of a metal cleaner. If using a metal cleaner/tarnish remover, we highly recommend following with a metal polish or light coat of a paste wax to seal the hardware and prevent further darkening. Follow the instructions carefully when using any type of cleaner or polish. If darkening or patina is not desired, simply seal the hardware pieces with a clear lacquer. Note: It is always recommended to apply a clear lacquer to our hardware accessories when installing outdoors or in highly humid locations.