[Jewelry making - Article 00117] - [Orchid] Copper/torch question

[Teresa Masters]

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    For Stuart LeVine 

    Teresa, pass this along. First off my conversion of the 1.25 mm
    thickness equals .049 in. or about the same as 32 oz. 32 oz is .043
    in. or most people would say some thick stuff. 

    When I work with this thickness of copper using a oxy/acetylene
    torch I use a #5 tip. The hole in the tip is about .7 mm or the forth
    to third largest tip cleaner file of a standard tip cleaner. Of
    course I am either brazing or using phos copper rod. It takes only
    part of a second to get the copper hot enough, which would be a
    medium red glow for the phos copper. You have to be quick with this
    size of tip or you could over heat the copper and burn a hole. But
    you want to make sure it is plenty hot enough for the rod to flow. 

    When using a oxy/proprane torch the temperature of the flame is not
    as hot as an oxy/acetylene torch.  Also I find it hard to braze with
    propane. Just not enough concentration of heat at the location to
    braze because of the tip designs. Therefore you are heating the whole
    piece up not just at the location to weld. I would suggest if you
    desire to use that thickness of copper use oxy/acty torch or like you
    said you will be there all day trying to weld. Also the copper might
    be building up scale or oxidation on the surface that will effect the
    heat to penetrate. Make sure it is clean. 

Warren Townsend

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