Enclosed spaces Posted January 26, 2015 Report Share Posted January 26, 2015 In this newest experiment in copper/wood I've used fumed Gary Oak, Western Big Leaf Maple, WBLM Burl, fumed and beaten Copper, microfiber. The box is 10x7x3 and just has the one divider with a simple lift lid. Eventually I hope to progress to more elaborate type box's, for now I'm trying to keep them as simple as possible. Still finding it hard to keep any of the colours from flaming on the copper. As soon as I apply any sealant the colours disappear, hence the fuming with salt and ammonia fumes. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted January 26, 2015 Report Share Posted January 26, 2015 Sweet looking box! Your miters are improving! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bushwacked Posted January 26, 2015 Report Share Posted January 26, 2015 That's awesome looking! Great job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted January 26, 2015 Report Share Posted January 26, 2015 Ok, I'm impressed. Tell us or pm me on the copper process! Rather you share it with the world. Great job Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted January 26, 2015 Report Share Posted January 26, 2015 Really cool box! With all that artwork and different wood species going on, I wouldn't complicate things by try to make a box of more elaborate construction. Concentrate one what you're doing until you are very satisfied with the results, then move on to different things. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chet Posted January 26, 2015 Report Share Posted January 26, 2015 Yea I would be interested in the copper work also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enclosed spaces Posted January 26, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2015 You can get the copper to change colours in several ways. Heat or chemical reaction. Both methods start with clean copper. I do it by washing the copper in a degreasing solution, rinsing really well under running water, dry thoroughly, then wire brush it till it shines. No touching with bare hands at this point. Heat (known so flame colouring, lots of videos on YouTube) is done with a hot flame. I just use either aa small hand held butane torch or my larger propane torch (depending on the size of the copper sheet. The chemical reaction I'm using is ammonia fumes and salt. Wet the copper, sprinkle on a reasonable amount of salt, place the copper with salt in a sealable container containing a ammonia(I use just regular household ammonia). Leave it in the container till desired patina is reached ( from hours to overnight ). Also soaking the copper in an acetic acid then placing in the ammonia box is also supposed to work. Haven't tried that on yet. Both of these methods produced on oxide on the surface of the copper. The problem I'm having is the flaming produces a beautiful range of colours which change over time as further oxidation takes place; I'm trying to seal those colours so they stay. Have tried top coats and waxes. Both just simple spray or wipe the colours away. The chemical Patinas change colour a bit but at least don't disappear when sprayed or waxed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted January 28, 2015 Report Share Posted January 28, 2015 How did you form the wavy raised "ribs" for lack of a better description? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enclosed spaces Posted January 28, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2015 On this box I used a bent piece of metal rod. Annealed the copper then beat it into shape over the rod. Sometimes I fold the copper, beat it, texture it, then anneal and unfold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted January 28, 2015 Report Share Posted January 28, 2015 ThanksWhere do you get the copper sheets Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enclosed spaces Posted January 28, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2015 A good hobby shop will sometimes have small sheets. I get mine in large rolls from a local sheet metal supply shop. Am looking into getting some thicker gauge sheets from a local roofer who does copper roofing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted January 28, 2015 Report Share Posted January 28, 2015 Nice looking work! David Marks did some interesting chemical patinas on several episodes of his series. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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