[TheForge] Re: Forging copper

[Jerry Frost]

Copper buss containing beryllium is dangerous when 
ground, sanded or brought to high heat. It's been 
discussed before but maybe on Artmetal rather than 
here, I don't recall. Anyway, using it to back for 
cutting shouldn't be a problem. I'd be hesitant to use 
it for a chill welding though.

I don't know what specific copper alloys are good for 
forging but I bought a bar of 3/4" sq. "pure" copper a 
few years ago and it's been a joy.

It can be very hard to ID copper alloys, getting red 
brass confused with copper is almost a given.  Red 
brass, silicon bronze (golden yellow), etc. etc. you 
won't know the players without a program or maybe a 
chemistry set.

Frosty
-------------------------------
If it ain't forged
it ain't real.
Wrought iron is.
The FrostWorks

Meadow Lakes, AK.

http://www.artmetalradio.com/

From: "Mike Spencer" <mspencer at tallships.ca>


>
>
> Um, I didn't know that.  I use 1/4" x 4" buss bar as 
> a backing plate
> on the anvil face for cut-off.  I never tried to heat 
> and anneal or
> forge it.
>
>> It's best to buy new and not run the risk of using 
>> scrap unless
>> you're positive of what it is.
>
> Hm, yes.  Another thing to note is that "red brass" 
> looks quite a lot
> like copper and is malleable but much less so than 
> pure copper.  I
> have an omelette pan with many, many extra hammer 
> blows in it because
> I started with "copper" that I later learned was "red 
> brass".  Nice
> pan, though.
>
> - Mike
>
> -- 
> Michael Spencer                  Nova Scotia, Canada 
> .~.
> 
> /V\