I was thinking about using brass washers to mount the wheels on a few bikes I'm building in place of "dropout savers". If I'm not mistaken, brass is softer than chromoly. Can someone confirm that?

Is there any reason I shouldn't use brass? I think the color will be a cool accent to some of my builds too...

Lee

I don't see a problem with it. I bought a Kappa from a guy on here and the drop outs were shaved out to 14mm (roughly). I tried to use dropout savers but because the dropouts weren't exact 14mms I couldn't use them. I then went to a bearing house and took the frame in with me and bought a set of Oillite bushing that had the right I.D. and O.D. All I had to do then was machine them down to a little smaller than the dropout its self.

So yes, you can.

As an aside, I had my brother custom machine a VERY thick copper washer for a very specific need.
Copper is even softer than brass, and offers a far different and unique color. Naturally you would need to keep polishing them, or possibly clearcoat.

But it's easy to work with for a machinist. I would only recommend it for dry-fitted builds. Cranking bolts/nuts onto copper, or riding with copper axle washers could be hazardous.

Just a thought for ya.

I use brass washers on most of my stuff.
They are .20-.40 cents each at the local hardware store - Marshall's (Ace Hardware). This place is a nut and bolt heaven, so you might have to look around a bit to find the good quality 3/8" brass washers.
I actually use a combination of stainless and brass.
The stainless are much thinner and help to get the spacing dialed in when a thicker washer don't work.
Usually I use the brass washers on the outside where the nut contacts it. They are fairly soft and will conform nicely if your surface is not perfect too.

Brass OTC washers should not be a huge problem to use on BMX or other human powered low torque & stress applications.

It is a versatile softish metal , the combination or ratio of Copper & Zinc used to make it dictates the applications it gets used for.
Brass is great stuff to polish up & not oxadize in a hurry.
Jamal sounds like he has partially marinized his bike by using SS & Brass washers , he must be protecting his bike from that salty air in So beach areas.

Only ONE MAJOR PROBLEM with Brass.
Don't expect it to be easy to drill precision holes into or thru it unless you have "clipped" the cutting edges of the drill bit you are going to use.
If you use a "normal" steel drill bit it will give you a $h!teload of hassles & possibly snap break or otherwise destroy an expensive drill bit + mess up the Brass washer or whaever you are drilling out.

Just keep in mind , that the more different metals you put onto something the more chances you are going to have of making a "battery" (read corrosion) if it has water or some other liquid electrolyte running through it or reqularly getting splashed or dunked , so keep them outta your cars engine bay & other severe duty areas...

JB