How To Work With Copper Sheet Metal

This method is mainly used for softer metals such as copper and brass.

How to work with copper sheet metal.

Bending sheet metal by hand is a manageable task if the piece of sheet metal is small and thin enough to handle. Copper itself is a conductive metal. This video shows you how to safely use the torches in this classroom as well as anneal a piece of copper and add firescale. Bending sheet metal can be tricky but with the right tool it s easy.

So whenever metal sheets need to work as conductors copper sheet metals are more preferred. As with any other typical fabrication task there isnt always a right or wrong way to do the job. Here are photos of some of my work using 10 mil copper sheets. Work from the outside edges in while rotating the disc.

Many applications require holes to be drilled or punched into sheet metal. I usually use a pair of snips to cut 10 mil. When you do this draw a circle pattern on a piece of paper. 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.

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. One way you can form the blank is to take a round disc of sheet metal and use a hammer to make a depression. And unlined stainless steel sheets it s an unalloyed type of sheets. Because the metal is soft and very easy to work with it can be cut punched bent and hammered with very little effort.

A guide to working with copper sheeting. Most frequently expensive sheet metal bending tools called brakes are used to bend sheet metal but you can also complete this task without one. There are a number of applications that require the use of copper sheeting including crafts and even kitchen accents. Copper sheet and copper plate find use in a huge array of applications.

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. I have created metal atcs and metal collage cards with 10 mil copper sheet. There are several properties in copper sheet metals for which it s preferred in many industrial and commercial purposes.