How To Work With Copper Sheet Metal

As with any other typical fabrication task there isnt always a right or wrong way to do the job.

How to work with copper sheet metal.

Here are photos of some of my work using 10 mil copper sheets. You can also use a pair of scissors or a utility knife but the edges are very sharp so you will want to be careful. This method is mainly used for softer metals such as copper and brass. One way you can form the blank is to take a round disc of sheet metal and use a hammer to make a depression.

There are several properties in copper sheet metals for which it s preferred in many industrial and commercial purposes. And unlined stainless steel sheets it s an unalloyed type of sheets. Thankfully there are a couple of wallet friendly options that can help you get the job done. When you do this draw a circle pattern on a piece of paper.

This video shows you how to safely use the torches in this classroom as well as anneal a piece of copper and add firescale. I usually use a pair of snips to cut 10 mil. Because the metal is soft and very easy to work with it can be cut punched bent and hammered with very little effort. Those who work with it regularly are likely to have a sheet metal bending brake in their workshop but this tool can be a bit expensive for the hobbyist.

Bending sheet metal by hand is a manageable task if the piece of sheet metal is small and thin enough to handle. One of few metals that doesn t need to be extracted from ore i e it is directly usable in its natural state copper exhibits excellent thermal and electrical conductivity good ductility and a natural resistance to corrosion. A guide to working with copper sheeting. Cut it out and trace it on the sheet metal.

Work from the outside edges in while rotating the disc. Copper itself is a conductive metal. But sometimes there is. Many applications require holes to be drilled or punched into sheet metal.

So whenever metal sheets need to work as conductors copper sheet metals are more preferred. I have created metal atcs and metal collage cards with 10 mil copper sheet. Most frequently expensive sheet metal bending tools called brakes are used to bend sheet metal but you can also complete this task without one.