Learn how to use the technique of fusing to recycle your copper scraps into new jewellery components in my video tutorial. For more hints, tips and projects, visit www.createwithcopper.co.uk
Thank you for the great videos you provide for everyone. I had been wondering if I could melt my copper scrap, and ran across this video. Perfect timing!
I love this. I have a ton of scraps and was going to buy a forge to melt them. But, now, i can use this method to make interesting shapes for my jewelry. LOVING IT!
I've really got a lot out of your tutorials. You are a really good teacher and you are one of a handful of people online who have given me the confidence to take what was essentially a hobby to a whole new level and hopefully I will get my business going over the next year. I would be really happy when I can maybe help some of you wonderful people via Patreon or something similar. I really appreciate all the time you must put into this channel. Once my proper workshop is finished (away from any neighbours who might be frightened by my continually setting off the smoke detector) I will upload some videos and tag you xx
I absolutely love this!!! I love copper period, and I really never thought to fuse it...this has opened up a whole new avenue for me to be creative. Lily-Tree your video is excellent, you are a great teacher. Thank you so much.
Thank you! This is one of my favourite techniques. It's great to be able to use up the copper scraps and its nice not to know quite what you're going to get! But it is quite addictive! 😄
I so enjoyed this melting'...while you were doing it, I thought 'oh I think I I'll put loops in (and then you did!) can't wait to try this. Thank you !
This is fabulous - and exactly what I wanted to do with my scraps. But I was almost going to throw them away as a Metal Facebook group said you couldn't do anything with scraps, it was messy, gassy and pointless. I am so glad I found you before I gave in and threw the scraps out.
Thank you and you're welcome! I've now got a fair few scraps built up again, so I need to have a fusing session myself! I love how the last piece came out, and how it worked put into the pendant in the next video, so I'll definitely be using that version again!
Additional Safety Tip- When working with flames, do not wear synthetics such as rayon, or any polyesters. Cotton only. Synthetics will not only burn, they will melt into your skin as they do so. Imagine molten flaming plastic...😱🔥☄️
So glad I found this video! Since I can melt sterling silver down quite well, I thought I'd try it with copper, but because it became a black mess I threw it away. LOL. I'm going to try it again, this time do it the way you did. I love how it came out. Thanks so much for sharing! :-)
I love that.........every piece you make is one of a kind..........as much as id like to try it......atm only have a solder iron..gonna be awhile before i can get a torch etc.........Thank you.......hugssssssss
this is freakin cool I am quite amazed at what can be done with such a little torch. I really thought you would need a big one and I was intimidated by that. I have a large cup chock full of scraps and I can't wait to be able to do what you have done. I love the organic look so much . Thank you Thank you. Lovingly Lynne
Thank you! It's always worth trying these things! There will be a limit to what a small torch can handle, so I'd recommend using your small scraps first then working up to larger/thicker pieces. Enjoy!
I tend to save everything as well. If I can't use it as components or as décoration (I'm talking silver here...)I was told to always keep scraps to make solder and while I haven't tried it yet I do the same with every metal I use.
@Lily-Tree I have subscribed to your channel, and I see many interesting things...However, I wish you would spend more time outlining how to work with/manage these copper pieces you have melted together. I hear you mentioning how to pierce them/shape them/clean them etc., and this interests me, but I've had no luck finding how you do this. This is what's brought me to your channel. I've taken a thorough look at your content, and though there are many fascinating videos, I've yet to see anything, or any playlist that addresses this. Am I missing something? Thx
Absolutely love this idea repurpose scraps in to meaningful elegance Now the questions not everything is suitable for melting or fusing in this I am saying some materials rob heat you will need a surface that will not rob heat in your demonstration I saw what your using what is it?? And what types of things will you suggest as a fusing surface Thank you in advance
Absolutely beautiful! I've been pulling tiny bits of copper out of my hubby's old computers. I have no idea if its coated or not...but I'd love to try to use it like this to make components. I LOVE this video. Anyone know anything about the copper in electronics and wiring? One more question, please? Can you fuse copper and silver scraps together in the same piece? Thank you so much!
hi, I wanted to create pieces with fused copper and silver as well. Unfortunately, if the piece comes in contact with salt, (as in sweat), the copper apparently degrades.... so while I believe you can fuse the two together, it will not age well in a worn piece of jewelry.
it will still fuse together even if it's not clean? because you said you can fuse it a bit and then if you want continue to fuse it together. but after you fuse it once doesn't it oxidized and become dirty.
Very nice 👍 much informative vedio, but we would like to learn how to clean with pickle solutions and what is pickle solution, thank you so much, lovely vedio
Thank you! 😊 I use something called 'safety pickle' rather than the traditional acids, but that's certainly something I'll put on my list for upcoming videos! 🙂
Thanks! It's in my nature to hoard most of my scraps for future use but now I'll be saving all my scraps! 👍 Taking a wild guess... does cutting the bigger pieces into chips possibly help it to melt faster? Or maybe no because it'd still be the same amount in the pile? Thanks for the video!
Thank you! Yes, I don't see why not. If I was looking to do that, I would probably use solder and file the back of my fused piece to ensure good contact, then sweat solder the two pieces. You've got me thinking now - I might have to give that a go!
Great video!! Thanks for sharing! My scrap bin has regular copper wire mixed with coated "non-tarnish" copper. I assume the coating will just burn off - but is there anything I need to be wary about?
Thank you! I haven't tried it, so I'm not sure exactly what might happen. I would want to have really good ventilation, as I've no idea what fumes the coating might produce. It would be good to know how you get on!
hi! I would suggest first burning the enamel off the copper; you can do it with the torch, it will burn off, but do it outside or in a very ventilated area, because the process releases the nasty fumes. Wear a respirator. You then need to pickle and clean the copper with some steel wool to take the residue off. This way the copper is clean and it will fuse. I do this process when I am given spools of enameled wire, so that I can use it for my weaving and oxidize it; honestly I am not sure the hassle is worth it for little scraps
Alice Savage she mentioned fusing the copper and then if needed or if u wanted to add some more you could and still fuse it. which confusing me a bit, because I would think it would oxidize and need to be cleaned before adding more. but she didn't do that in the video and it still fused. so would it need to be cleaned then ? 🤔
The max temperature on my torch is quoted as 1300 degC. The copper does blacken to start with, you might need to keep heating for a while, and try to keep the torch so the copper is at the point of the inner cone of the flame (the hottest part). The copper should start glowing, then get brighter, and eventually you will see it starts to look wet, as it gets molten - unfortunately not something I've been able to get the camera to pick up! Then you just need to decide how much melting you want. I hope that helps!
Yes, you can but it depends what look you want. The copper will look 'melted' because - well - it is! It also isn't an exact science, so you need to be not too rigid about the result you want. It's also worth bearing in mind that wire ends will 'leap back' a bit as they melt, so if you want it to meet another wire, you need to leave an overhang. So if you want clean lines, I'd use soldering, but if you want something more organic, you can try fusing. You might also end up with something new and interesting you hadn't thought of but takes you in a whole new direction! 😃
A fire brick is probably best. Fire bricks are specially made to use in the construction of fireplaces, where open flame and great heat is generated. I think some people use a shallow metal dish filled with sand too, but you'd have to research that a bit more, in case the heat makes the sand adhere to your pieces. In other words, it might be special sand, not just stuff from the beach or hardware store section for building. The solder/fire brick is available from silversmithing and metalworking retail outlets.
I agree with Kayenne. I use a soldering block from a jewellery tool suppliers, which is made of an asbestos substitute. This also comes in larger tiles. You can also get blocks made of charcoal, which I haven't tried yet.
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i love how organic it is! thank you for sharing!! love your videos
Gives me lots of ideas ... thanks ... great as always.
Really great. .you simplify everything and say it just as it is!!! Thank you!!
Stunning! You could have a lot of fun with this technique. TFS xx
Thank you for the great videos you provide for everyone. I had been wondering if I could melt my copper scrap, and ran across this video. Perfect timing!
Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Your communication skills are excellent.
So grateful for this!!! It’s exactly what I was looking for💞
I love this. I have a ton of scraps and was going to buy a forge to melt them. But, now, i can use this method to make interesting shapes for my jewelry. LOVING IT!
Good video. All the pieces look great.
This was great and creating links , what a wonderful idea. Thank you again.
Love this,I knew I was keeping my copper scraps for a reason. Thank you.
That's exactly what was thinking! 🙂
Just came across your channel. I'm thrilled to find that something I've been mulling over in my head is truly possible. Thanks so much.
I'm glad to help! I hope you're having fun experimenting with it!
Thank you!!!I've got quite a large,well,huge scrap pile,this is such a great idea❤❤❤
Thank you! My scrap jar is full again, so I'd better get fusing too! 😄
This was an awesome video! Thanks; now I know what to do with my scraps!
I've really got a lot out of your tutorials. You are a really good teacher and you are one of a handful of people online who have given me the confidence to take what was essentially a hobby to a whole new level and hopefully I will get my business going over the next year. I would be really happy when I can maybe help some of you wonderful people via Patreon or something similar. I really appreciate all the time you must put into this channel. Once my proper workshop is finished (away from any neighbours who might be frightened by my continually setting off the smoke detector) I will upload some videos and tag you xx
Fantastic shapes! 🌸☀️🏵️
What a wonderful idea
I always learn from you good job again
Very cool! Now on my to-do list! Thanks!
Thank you!
I absolutely love this!!! I love copper period, and I really never thought to fuse it...this has opened up a whole new avenue for me to be creative. Lily-Tree your video is excellent, you are a great teacher. Thank you so much.
Thank you! This is one of my favourite techniques. It's great to be able to use up the copper scraps and its nice not to know quite what you're going to get! But it is quite addictive! 😄
This is the coolest idea!! You are so talented!! I love watching your videos!
Thank you! I'm glad you're enjoying them!
I so enjoyed this melting'...while you were doing it, I thought 'oh I think I I'll put loops in (and then you did!) can't wait to try this. Thank you !
Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it. They say great minds think alike! 😀 Have fun fusing!
Beautiful, Your video's given me some painting ideas.
have fused silver scrap but never ever thought of using our class scrap copper...brilliant and playful and never ending...thxs muchly
Thanks Mike! It is great fun!
Fascinating and ingenious
This is fabulous - and exactly what I wanted to do with my scraps. But I was almost going to throw them away as a Metal Facebook group said you couldn't do anything with scraps, it was messy, gassy and pointless. I am so glad I found you before I gave in and threw the scraps out.
So cool! I love them.
Thank you!
Thank you this helped a lot !!
You're welcome! Have fun fusing!
I wondered what to do with my scraps. TFS!
I like how the last pc looks with the rings added.
Thank you and you're welcome! I've now got a fair few scraps built up again, so I need to have a fusing session myself! I love how the last piece came out, and how it worked put into the pendant in the next video, so I'll definitely be using that version again!
Yes, the pendant you made with it turn out very cool! Hoping to see your next fused scrap projects.
Additional Safety Tip- When working with flames, do not wear synthetics such as rayon, or any polyesters. Cotton only. Synthetics will not only burn, they will melt into your skin as they do so. Imagine molten flaming plastic...😱🔥☄️
So glad I found this video! Since I can melt sterling silver down quite well, I thought I'd try it with copper, but because it became a black mess I threw it away. LOL. I'm going to try it again, this time do it the way you did. I love how it came out. Thanks so much for sharing! :-)
Thank you! Yes, that should be one of the rules of working with copper - never be afraid of the black mess!
Hi Lily-Tree, Very good idea, did not know that you could melt the copper and achieve unique pieces at random, thanks and greetings from Argentina 🙋
Thanks Neva! It is always worth experimenting!
Brilliant!!
I love that.........every piece you make is one of a kind..........as much as id like to try it......atm only have a solder iron..gonna be awhile before i can get a torch etc.........Thank you.......hugssssssss
Thanks! Yeah, it does need a torch but at least it's a technique to add to the list of reasons to get one! :-)
Haha that's exactly what I did! Add it to my list of justifications.
You are brilliant
this is freakin cool I am quite amazed at what can be done with such a little torch. I really thought you would need a big one and I was intimidated by that. I have a large cup chock full of scraps and I can't wait to be able to do what you have done. I love the organic look so much . Thank you Thank you. Lovingly Lynne
Thank you! It's always worth trying these things! There will be a limit to what a small torch can handle, so I'd recommend using your small scraps first then working up to larger/thicker pieces. Enjoy!
This is soooo cool
nice demo! I consider conserving my sterling scraps but overlooked using my copper.
Thank you! Yes, I'd seen this done with silver, so I thought it was worth trying! 😃
Interesting designs like them!
Thank you!
thanks
I tend to save everything as well. If I can't use it as components or as décoration (I'm talking silver here...)I was told to always keep scraps to make solder and while I haven't tried it yet I do the same with every metal I use.
thank you :)
@Lily-Tree
I have subscribed to your channel, and I see many interesting things...However, I wish you would spend more time outlining how to work with/manage these copper pieces you have melted together. I hear you mentioning how to pierce them/shape them/clean them etc., and this interests me, but I've had no luck finding how you do this. This is what's brought me to your channel.
I've taken a thorough look at your content, and though there are many fascinating videos, I've yet to see anything, or any playlist that addresses this. Am I missing something? Thx
Did you clean, pickle or use anything else, to clean the copper before heating?
Very informative lecture and demonstration, is it possible to fuse the copper and brass wire or scrap pieces together?
عمل رائع
Absolutely love this idea repurpose scraps in to meaningful elegance
Now the questions not everything is suitable for melting or fusing in this I am saying some materials rob heat you will need a surface that will not rob heat in your demonstration I saw what your using what is it??
And what types of things will you suggest as a fusing surface
Thank you in advance
Absolutely beautiful! I've been pulling tiny bits of copper out of my hubby's old computers. I have no idea if its coated or not...but I'd love to try to use it like this to make components. I LOVE this video. Anyone know anything about the copper in electronics and wiring? One more question, please? Can you fuse copper and silver scraps together in the same piece? Thank you so much!
hi, I wanted to create pieces with fused copper and silver as well. Unfortunately, if the piece comes in contact with salt, (as in sweat), the copper apparently degrades.... so while I believe you can fuse the two together, it will not age well in a worn piece of jewelry.
it will still fuse together even if it's not clean? because you said you can fuse it a bit and then if you want continue to fuse it together. but after you fuse it once doesn't it oxidized and become dirty.
What's in the Pickle Solution, Thanks.!!
Very nice 👍 much informative vedio, but we would like to learn how to clean with pickle solutions and what is pickle solution, thank you so much, lovely vedio
Thank you! 😊 I use something called 'safety pickle' rather than the traditional acids, but that's certainly something I'll put on my list for upcoming videos! 🙂
Thanks! It's in my nature to hoard most of my scraps for future use but now I'll be saving all my scraps! 👍 Taking a wild guess... does cutting the bigger pieces into chips possibly help it to melt faster? Or maybe no because it'd still be the same amount in the pile? Thanks for the video!
Let's all hope the creator of this channel is alright! I am also interested in the answers to your questions.
Great video. Looking forward to trying this. Is that a welding block the copper is on?
It's a solder brick
thank you for your great videos! could I put pieces on a solid copper piece, kind of a backing? do u think I would have to solder or brazed it to it?
Thank you! Yes, I don't see why not. If I was looking to do that, I would probably use solder and file the back of my fused piece to ensure good contact, then sweat solder the two pieces. You've got me thinking now - I might have to give that a go!
When you say 8:30 "...after it's been cleaned" could you please elaborate on how you did that? Thanks very much!
Good video.
sei eccezionale! 🌺🌹🌼🌸🌷❤
Grazie Donatella! 😊
what torch? what gas? I'm also wondering how you managed to polish up the complex shapes. do you use a clear finish to preserve the copper color?
I have essentially asked the same questions... It seems the creator of this channel has disappeared.
I hope all is well with her!
genius
Great video!! Thanks for sharing! My scrap bin has regular copper wire mixed with coated "non-tarnish" copper. I assume the coating will just burn off - but is there anything I need to be wary about?
Thank you! I haven't tried it, so I'm not sure exactly what might happen. I would want to have really good ventilation, as I've no idea what fumes the coating might produce. It would be good to know how you get on!
hi! I would suggest first burning the enamel off the copper; you can do it with the torch, it will burn off, but do it outside or in a very ventilated area, because the process releases the nasty fumes. Wear a respirator. You then need to pickle and clean the copper with some steel wool to take the residue off. This way the copper is clean and it will fuse. I do this process when I am given spools of enameled wire, so that I can use it for my weaving and oxidize it; honestly I am not sure the hassle is worth it for little scraps
Alice Savage she mentioned fusing the copper and then if needed or if u wanted to add some more you could and still fuse it. which confusing me a bit, because I would think it would oxidize and need to be cleaned before adding more. but she didn't do that in the video and it still fused. so would it need to be cleaned then ? 🤔
Have you been successful soldering copper with your butane torch?
Great video. I thought only fine silver was fused.
Hi, copper does take a bit more effort than silver, but I think it's worth it to use up those leftovers!
What temperature does your torch get to? I bought one after watching this video and the copper just goes black x
The max temperature on my torch is quoted as 1300 degC. The copper does blacken to start with, you might need to keep heating for a while, and try to keep the torch so the copper is at the point of the inner cone of the flame (the hottest part). The copper should start glowing, then get brighter, and eventually you will see it starts to look wet, as it gets molten - unfortunately not something I've been able to get the camera to pick up! Then you just need to decide how much melting you want. I hope that helps!
So can i fuse my copper designs together like this instead of using solder and connect two larger peices of wire
Yes, you can but it depends what look you want. The copper will look 'melted' because - well - it is! It also isn't an exact science, so you need to be not too rigid about the result you want. It's also worth bearing in mind that wire ends will 'leap back' a bit as they melt, so if you want it to meet another wire, you need to leave an overhang. So if you want clean lines, I'd use soldering, but if you want something more organic, you can try fusing. You might also end up with something new and interesting you hadn't thought of but takes you in a whole new direction! 😃
Can you please give me an example of something that might be considered a non-flammable surface that would be safe to use a torch on?
A fire brick is probably best. Fire bricks are specially made to use in the construction of fireplaces, where open flame and great heat is generated. I think some people use a shallow metal dish filled with sand too, but you'd have to research that a bit more, in case the heat makes the sand adhere to your pieces. In other words, it might be special sand, not just stuff from the beach or hardware store section for building. The solder/fire brick is available from silversmithing and metalworking retail outlets.
I agree with Kayenne. I use a soldering block from a jewellery tool suppliers, which is made of an asbestos substitute. This also comes in larger tiles. You can also get blocks made of charcoal, which I haven't tried yet.
What torch are you using?
It is just a small hand torch.
What pickle solution did you use?
I use picklean, which works well for me.
Thank you :-)