[Jewelry making - Article 00199] - Re: [Orchid] Working with copper

[wtownsend321094]

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    I use to make a lot of roses from copper. To turn them red I would
    take regular brazing flux (mostly borax) and dissolve a bunch in
    water. Then take the rose swirl around in the mixture to coat
    everything. Using an oxy/act torch with neutral flame, heat on the
    out side of the rose until all of the petals were a bright red. Then
    quench in water. The inside of the petals would get a beautiful red.
    The outside where the torch work would be red but not as dark. The
    roses were brazed together and I had to be careful not to un-braze
    them from getting so hot. 

    The reason probably not working on thicker pieces is probably not
    getting hot enough. In order to solder to copper it has to be very
    clean. Watch a home repair show on how they solder water pipe. Note
    how the clean it up first, then flux, then solder. So for you to
    solder the work together first and then try to patina with torch it
    will not work because you have to get the copper hotter (bright red)
    and all of your joints will separate. Best thing would use a patina
    to get the good red you want. If you go to my "webpage" there are
    some apples and roses that I patina red. Good Luck, 

--
Warren Townsend
http://www.geocities.com/copper1002000/photos.html


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