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Post by TheRock on Oct 28, 2017 23:47:31 GMT -5
Where is a good source to purchase copper sheets and what are good sizes to start with? These will be used with a rolling mill. Thanks Duke
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Post by rockjunquie on Oct 29, 2017 0:11:10 GMT -5
I was getting them at rio and thought I could find them cheaper. I did. On amazon. The problem was they needed so much finish work on them that it wasn't even close to a bargain. The ones from rio had a much better finish on them. Saves a lot of time and material when you don't have to finish it yourself.
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Post by toiv0 on Oct 29, 2017 3:55:51 GMT -5
i get mine from a local roofing company. I cant remember the gauge right now. They are scraps off their jobs. I cut them down to a size my shear will handle. Last time I got 3 pieces 4 or 5 sq. ft for free.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,171
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Post by jamesp on Oct 29, 2017 4:50:56 GMT -5
Copper, aluminum, brass, SS, silver coated serving ware purchased at a metals recycling center. Sheared to smaller pieces and tumbled
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Post by Pat on Oct 29, 2017 9:12:46 GMT -5
I get my 12" x 6" copper sheets from rio. Happy with them.
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Post by 1dave on Oct 29, 2017 16:15:16 GMT -5
I prefer silk sheets.
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Post by TheRock on Oct 29, 2017 21:46:32 GMT -5
Who Deosn't
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Oct 29, 2017 22:29:06 GMT -5
Who Deosn't Me. I prefer flannel.
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vwfence
has rocks in the head
Member since January 2013
Posts: 557
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Post by vwfence on Oct 30, 2017 7:56:06 GMT -5
I have some bought on Ebay that are scrap that I will receive today or tomorrow that cost me 20 dollars for 5 pounds including shipping. I don't know if it will be any good but to practice I figure it should be fine
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Post by rockjunquie on Oct 30, 2017 8:20:10 GMT -5
With copper sheet, the thing to look for is how well it was milled. The amazon stuff I got, had like an orange peel effect and faint lines (not scratches). THAT took a lot of work and sandpaper to smooth out. Initially, it looked fine, but closer inspection revealed the issues. It was not good for jewelry the way it was.
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vwfence
has rocks in the head
Member since January 2013
Posts: 557
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Post by vwfence on Oct 30, 2017 11:47:59 GMT -5
I am new to smithing so I mainly bought it to practice brazing /welding with as I haven't done any gas welding in about 30 yrs
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Post by TheRock on Oct 30, 2017 22:32:34 GMT -5
I know exactly what Tela rockjunquie is talking about. I have soldered copper for many years of my life not ornamental but in plumbing. Silver Solder, Sillfloss, and Soft Solder silver, lead and about every mixture in between. Copper can really be tuff to clean if it has Oxidized. Who wants to spend the $$$ On a Product and then have to spend 1/2 the day working on it. But vwfence and jamesp has said $20.00 for 5lbs of scrap is definitely not a bad option if you don't have a source and your going to use it just to practice. I will find a cheap source as I know many people, but it's in the meantime That I will need to purchase some retail. I am about ready to start on my Lapidary Shop which should come together quite Quickly once I start. Right now I am gathering all materials and tools to outfit it and learning from everyone along the way. Thanks to all m ~Duke
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,171
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Post by jamesp on Oct 31, 2017 4:55:01 GMT -5
I never bought many jewelry tools. Never mastered silver solder or Sillfoss. About everything I sold was quirky hammered and riveted and all base metal w $50 price tag. Bezels mass produced with large hand shear and then tumbled in mass to round sheared edges. Hammer finished with polished railroad anvils and assortment of polished hammers. Did street sales in downtown Atlanta festivals. Consigned at two shops. Short one year career before other issues came up. Sales momentum was cranking up though. Adapting to a broad variety of scrap base metals took a few hammer strokes. Some of the finest base metals came from vintage silver plated serving ware plates like Rogers brand. Industrial gauges too. Nice heavy gauge. SS(some is soft), brass, white brass ?, copper, bronze, german made (high nickel ?- german silver ?) Serving ware available readily at Goodwill and thrift stores. Guess you could call it tradesman jewelry as most of it was fabricated using existing 5 and 8 inch grinder, face of 14 inch cut-off saw, flat face of various ball peen hammers polished to 5 microns, drill press, shop made mandrels. Rarely filed/sawed/sanded. Takes too much time. If it could not be hammer finished then it about was not made. Anneal in mass at start and at pre-hammering bezels via production line. Heavy gauge stuff w/substance, good selling point. Not feminine. Client base was 25 to 40 years old w/tattoos and piercings. Sic Fi, goth types. Housewives taking a walk on wild side lol. Best to focus on a demographic and design accordingly in my eyes. Find target and shoot ! Establish designs that took no longer than 20 to 40 minutes to make.(key point, time is valuable) www.flickr.com/photos/67205364@N06/11823015473/in/album-72157639358940654/Prototypes both failures and successes. All from scrap. Learned a lot. Great practice. $500 budget tools and materials. I actually had animosity at one of the most trendy shops by a couple of the roller mill jewelers(my personal tag) because I was out selling from a 3 sq. ft. display, grrr. Often pays to be the odd man in the bunch. 7 out of 8 of them were trained at the same school. Too much repetition. Not cocky, just different. I cut to length and wet diamond polished railroad anvils for most of them to keep the peace. Burned a 14 inch cut off saw up in process. some of the creations including plasma blobs www.flickr.com/photos/67205364@N06/7155925623/in/album-72157629994994395/
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