[TheForge] Etching Damascus

[Chris Worsley]

This is true, but I find that quenching (I use the hose after heating 
with the HF weed burner) helps to pop some of the scale off the copper. 
Then a quick scrub with a brass brush under the hose, and it's back to 
work. If I'm annealing several pieces at the same time only the last one 
is still hot and they are equally soft.
Chris
AZ

James Binnion wrote:

> Copper does not need to be quenched to attain maximum softness, even  
> allowing it to air cool will result in the same hardness as quenching  
> from a red heat.
>
> On Nov 21, 2006, at 6:13 PM, Roger R Degner wrote:
>
>> Mix a capful of the dry crystal with 5 gal of water.
>> Heat the copper a dull red and quench in the mix
>> This softens the copper so it can be worked again with out cracking.
>> If you take the cold copper out right away it will be varying red  color
>> depending on how hot the copper was when it was quenched.  If you want
>> the copper pink leave it in to work
>> At a copper vase class we were told the HTH ph minus (sodium  
>> bisulphate)
>> was the same as sparex but a lot cheaper and easier to find.  Wal-Mart
>> in pool chemical section.  Be aware the bottle next to it is PH  plus 
>> and
>> that doesn't do anything you need.
>>
>> We use liver of sulfur for the dark patina the HTH PH Minus is the
>> cleaner and I soften the copper in it because it is sitting next to  the
>> forge.
>>
>> Don't quench steel in the bucket you have been doing copper in as  it 
>> can
>> copper coat your steel.
>>
>> Have been doing a few Roycroft style pieces as taught by Don
>> Newunswander (SP)
>>
>> Roger R Degner
>>
>>
>>
>> Roger,
>>
>> How do you use pH Minus with copper?  Do you quench/anneal the hot
>> copper in it?  Does it keep the copper bright or does it give a  patina?
>>
>> Aubrey
>>
>> ________________________________
>>
>> From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net on behalf of Roger R Degner
>> Sent: Tue 11/21/2006 4:24 PM
>> To: 'Sponsored by ABANA'
>> Subject: RE: [TheForge] Etching Damascus
>>
>>
>>
>> The PH minus is what a bunch of use who do copper vases are using  as 
>> the
>> pickle and quench solution for the anneal. I think we have Tom Latane'
>> convinced to switch from high strength vinegar to the ph minus for his
>> descale soak for his steel work between the forging operation and the
>> filing stage.
>>
>> Roger R Degner
>>
>>
>>
>>
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>
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