[Jewelry making - Article 00013] - Re: [Orchid] Making copper grapes

[Warren Townsend]

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Mike,

    Trying to make grapes is so much fun. I have made a couple of
    bundles and very time consuming and takes a lot of patients.  You
    are on the right track by using something as a dapper and block to
    make halves. I have tried a couple of methods and using a piece of
    hardwood with an oval type shape cut into it and using a dapping
    punch to shape the copper worked the best. Once you make the halves
    you have to file and fit together. Now instead of using solder I
    brazed mine. The reason I brazed is because the next step is
    installing the stem. Using solder the halves will come apart some.
    You have to grind/sand off the excess brazing rod at the seam. I
    made my stem system from copper wire, attaching a short stem to the
    grape first. Then made up the main stem from heavier copper wire,
    hammered and bent some. Brazed small branches off of the main stem
    and then attached the grape stem to the branches. The brass from the
    brazing patinas about the same as the copper so not very noticeable.
    The real secret is using thicker copper (.030 in)instead of the thin
    roofing copper. It is easier to braze and you have a little room to
    grind off the brazing rod at the seam without grinding through the
    copper. 

Warren Townsend 
http://www.geocities.com/copper1002000/photos.html 
Trenton, MI 48183


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