MIKE MC Posted October 19, 2008 Share Posted October 19, 2008 Howdy guys and gals. I am new to this forum and have a question about forging some copper. I have come across some electrial buss bars that are 1/4"x 1-1/2" and have a silver coating on them. One of my projects incorperates copper bamboo in a wooden frame and I would like to make some hinges and a latch for it. Would it be safe to heat them in my propane forge without some kind of deadly fumes? Not sure about the silver coating on the copper. Thanks a lot. Mike.:confused: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug C Posted October 19, 2008 Share Posted October 19, 2008 Others here know better than me but my rule of thumb is to not touch any plated metal. I don't know enough to handle it safely so I do not chance it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted October 19, 2008 Share Posted October 19, 2008 Welcome aboard Mike: Copper buss bars often contain beryllium and are quite toxic if heated, ground, sanded, etc. anything that puts it in the air is very bad for you. Next time you're in Seattle hit Alaska Copper and Brass (If I recall the name correctly) they carry all sizes and grades of copper, brass, bronze, etc. and you won't put your health at risk. Worth the extra money in my opinion. Once you have some safe copper it forges wonderfully. You have to pay close attention as it work hardens or it'll split, crack and otherwise fail on you. However, once you learn what it sounds and feels like you can really do wonderful things with it. You don't have to forge it hot but can if you like. What I do is start my general shaping cold and when it starts to work harden I put it in the forge and bring it to a low red heat and go back to forging till it starts work hardening again. You can forge weld it too, brush clean, flux with borax and bring it to a bright red, be gentle with the hammer and it'll stick nicely. Brass and bronze are more of a challenge to forge but some experience will do the trick. You also have to have the right alloy, some forge nicely others not at all. Frosty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bentiron1946 Posted October 19, 2008 Share Posted October 19, 2008 If you want to some fine use of brass, bronze and I think copper you want to see Albert Paley Albert Paley Studios :cool: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ice Czar Posted October 20, 2008 Share Posted October 20, 2008 (edited) quite toxic and Frosty receives this Sunday's Master of the Understament award as in a Category 1 Carcinogen recycle ($$) and repurchase known stock http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beryllium_copperFurthermore, it can be heat-treated to improve its strength, durability, and electrical conductivity. making it a prime candidate in a bus bar application (there are pure copper bus bars however its still a risk and you have the unknown plating) Edited October 20, 2008 by Ice Czar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MIKE MC Posted October 20, 2008 Author Share Posted October 20, 2008 I appreciate the information I have received, I thought that there is more to that copper than meets the eye! recycle here it comes. Thanks again. Mike.:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theimi Posted October 20, 2008 Share Posted October 20, 2008 If you want to some fine use of brass, bronze and I think copper you want to see Albert Paley Albert Paley Studios :cool: Hey, he's one of my smithing related heros ... the other one you might be interested is John Medwedeff ca Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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