melting copper wire

[fireworkmaster]

hi all bit of a strange question but i hope someone can help me
i make copper jewelry and so far i have not needed to melt or solder my creations however now i need to
i make a lot of copper bracelets using recycled copper, 1 or 2mm thick with up to 9 strands of wire in each piece often braided or twisted together.
i need a way to melt/flow the ends of the copper wire to make a nice finish.
unfortunately where i am there is no Chance of using oxy acet as not allowed to keep acetylene on site.
attached is a pic of the thickest jewelry band i make i often only have 3 or 5 wire cores as well either twisted or braided
hope you can help many thanks
martin

 

[madkayaker]

with out oxy act you are not going to get it hot enough to melt but you could silver solder with a normal blowtorch or soft solder the end together

 

[sean-1]

Go for oxy-propane instead of acetylene.

 

[chunkolini]

I have melted copper using a Tig welder.
I was experimenting with using it fused onto steel sheet as a decorative feature, worked really well.
Chunko'.

 

[mike 109444]

copper tube 1/4" long, fit ends in, fill inside with solder, clean back to reveal copper. job done for an all copper look

 

[brightspark]

copper tube 1/4" long, fit ends in, fill inside with solder, clean back to reveal copper. job done for an all copper look

excelent idea realy they need silver solder if there bracelets as the soft solder even though a small amount would go manky where as silver solder wouldnt

 

[mart]

I used to have a brazing attachement for the electric welder. Presumably, that could get hot enough to melt brass filler rods. Some members on here will be able to advise better than me on whether it would suit your needs.

See pic of the brazing attachement posted on here by Woz a while back (post 13).
http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=7575&page=2

 

[fireworkmaster]

ok so without oxy acet no way to melt/flow the ends in an easy practical way the other way i been finishing them is to wire wrap the ends with thinner wire to make a bound look managed to do this last night without solder and it is nice and secure nowt to snag on jumpers but i would like to try solder as i have a cunning plan o.0 using copper pipe like was sugested but cutting it and forming around so it is flush
what would be the most sensiable torch i could use to get the temp required to silver solder using soft silver solder without having to sell the wife ?
will probably use easy solder and borax
http://www.cooksongold.com/Solders/...mm-Lengths-Weight-Per-Strip-9g-prcode-CTB-500

or extra easy
http://www.cooksongold.com/Solders/...mm-Lengths-Weight-Per-Strip-5g-prcode-CTA-500

they also have this kit
http://www.cooksongold.com/Jewellery-Tools/Starter-Soldering-Kit-Un-2837-prcode-999-096Q

i know i will need pickle to remove firestain etc
there are so many torches and diferent gases and because i am working on larger and thicker bits than most jewlelry makers the advice has been patchy
some say the tiny torches will do the trick some say only mapp gas will do it some say propane will
im confuzzled
ty for your advice so far peeps its muchly appreciated

 

[Hitch]

I have welded copper with a Tig welder before, it may also be MIG welded.

I would imagine silver solder would be the best choice, as it flows, and your items are a little delicate for welding.

Regards to torches, get the hottest you can, little torches take longer to heat up and burns the flux off before you have soldered it. Not quite such an issue with jewellery, but larger things where the heat is drawn away its important.

Other thing to consider with silver solder is you need a nice close fit between the parts.

 

[no idea]

I've always bought silver solder from cupalloys.co.uk. They are very good for giving advice and their 842 solder is excellent value. I've used a MAPP torch without any problems with this solder. They also do fluxes and pickling salts.

Alternatively, you can get self fluxing copper phosphurus? I don't know if they give a better colour match than silver solder but may be worth a try. Again, look on the cupalloys site or even down at B&Q in their plumbing sectionl.

 

[Justme]

What about using a hydraulic crimper to fix a copper ferule to the end?

 

[fireworkmaster]

interesting idea only thing i can see would be difficult would be getting right size or modifying to fit nice idea ill look into that

 

[Lawnmowerboy]

hi halfrauds sell silver solder