one_rod Posted May 6, 2007 Share Posted May 6, 2007 A friend of mine was suffering from mild arthritis in his elbows. Many people believe that wearing a copper bracelet helps with this condition. Now, he's very big bloke and thought that the ones that were available in the shops were a bit "dainty looking" for his taste. So I made him this. Forged from 6mm copper bar, with 1mm wire wrapping on the ends. I did hope that it would have held itself together, but I ended up having to put a couple of small spots of braze on the back of the knot, and on the ends of the wire wrap. They are not visible once its being worn. one_rod. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skunkriv Posted May 6, 2007 Share Posted May 6, 2007 Nice job! I like it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Posted May 8, 2007 Share Posted May 8, 2007 Me too Rod I don't think you'd have ended up with any alternative but a bit of solder to hold that style of bracelet together though, so don't feel bad about it. What was the alternative? Trying to forge weld copper..... good luck with that mate, LOL Has anyone on here ever done it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny99 Posted May 8, 2007 Share Posted May 8, 2007 Sure Ian, all the time. It's called mokume. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
one_rod Posted May 9, 2007 Author Share Posted May 9, 2007 Me too Rod I don't think you'd have ended up with any alternative but a bit of solder to hold that style of bracelet together though, so don't feel bad about it. What was the alternative? Trying to forge weld copper..... good luck with that mate, LOL Has anyone on here ever done it? Ian, I was sort of hoping that if I made the knot tight enough it would hold itself together. But it didn't. I have gas welded and TIG welded copper. I have even stick welded it (an obsolete process in copper nowadays). I was about to agree with you about forge welding the stuff, but as Johnny99 says, the mokume process is a kind of forge weld. Well it's a kind of weld, and it can be done in the forge..... one_rod. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Posted May 10, 2007 Share Posted May 10, 2007 Yes it is, but as you probably know Rod, mokume gane (to give it it's full title) is a process where 'layers' of copper and alternative metals such as silver, gold etc are stacked and then forge welded. It's not (in my experience at least) a case of putting two layers of copper together and forge welding them, which would have been the case with that bracelet. It's a case of getting the metal with the lowest 'wash' point to stick to the metal next to it on either side, which isn't normally two pieces of copper. I wasn't saying copper CAN'T be forge welded together, I leave that to more experienced Smiths, just that it's ruddy difficult and in the case of the bracelet an unessessary hardship. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talon Tex Overland Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 (edited) quick question...How did you get it to bend like that, i've tried with iron rod and it wont work Edited May 15, 2009 by steve sells Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 Were you working the iron hot? Also rebar bundle wire---the 1/8" stuff not tie wire is usually *very* soft and so good for such things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talon Tex Overland Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 yeah i'm using 1/4" round stock at a bright red heat, its getting the loops thats killing me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easilyconfused Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 The way I've found works best for me is to get an idea of the size of hole I'm needing ( a little more than double the diameter of the rod approximately) bending the rod on either side of the length needed for the loop 90 deg in the same direction so you have a |_| shape and then heating the _ part and bending it around two of the same size rods side by side as a mandrel. when the legs meet it should make a nice loop on the end of the two pieces. Another way is to bend the one rod around the mandrel and then squeeze the legs together in a vise. Tight heats of only what you want to bend are important. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 What EC said, make a little jig for the loop bending, though I would squeeze the legs together hot using a pair of tongs that's good for that purpose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easilyconfused Posted May 15, 2009 Share Posted May 15, 2009 I forgot to mention I bend the legs backwards so they meet pointing the opposite way on the jig than they started. I was thinking heavier stock when I said vice as I've only used the knot for a table leg crossbrace, of course a pair of tongs would work for light stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kasper Posted May 16, 2009 Share Posted May 16, 2009 Cool....Man bracelet,good work Rod,lets us know how it helps your buddys arthritis...chow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fe-Wood Posted May 17, 2009 Share Posted May 17, 2009 What is the consensus about Copper working for arthritis? I have a little in my left hand and have been working a good amount of copper lately, seems it dosen't hurt as much. Any facts out there? Or even solid wives tales? I've ebeen thinking a braclet might be in order. Mind if I copy this one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finnr Posted May 17, 2009 Share Posted May 17, 2009 Only thing copper ever did for my arthritis was turn my wrist green. Finnr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richie'66 Posted August 7, 2010 Share Posted August 7, 2010 Nice copper braclet. I've also heard that the wearing of rare earth magnets can also help with arthritis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bentiron1946 Posted August 10, 2010 Share Posted August 10, 2010 Nice "man bracelet", I have made a few in silver for women in a smaller gauge of silver and copper and always use a touch of solder or braze to hold them in position. I haven't found that copper does anything but turn a person green. If you want relief from athirst pain take Celebrex. <_< Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigfootnampa Posted August 11, 2010 Share Posted August 11, 2010 I have fusion welded copper and Frosty has a friend that says forge welding it is "so easy you can't believe it". Flux is important as copper oxidizes quite a ways before it gets to welding heat. I agree that the medical properties are dubious but it's still a nice looking piece of jewelry! In addition to brazing it is possible to use sterling silver as a solder for copper... I've done a fair amount of that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clang Posted September 7, 2010 Share Posted September 7, 2010 What is the consensus about Copper working for arthritis? I have a little in my left hand and have been working a good amount of copper lately, seems it dosen't hurt as much. Any facts out there? Or even solid wives tales? I've ebeen thinking a braclet might be in order. Mind if I copy this one? My father manufactured copper jewelry from the 1940 through the late 60s..bracelets were a regular item. He was always embarrassed when folks swore that they cured their aches and pains..Finally ended saying, "whatever works for you". Made some heavy masculine bracelets for the line. The stuff is a " collectible" now. They used a clear finish that often survives to this day. I never could find out what it was. Brian B is a tremendously talented guy, i like and admire him a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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