copper

[BrokenBiker]

need to join some copper to make the small sheets i have into 1 larger sheet.

is it as simple as just using some solid copper wire as filler? its only for a decorative sign my father wants to make

 

[Agroshield]

What thickness are they?

You might be able to slightly turn up the edge (or biff the edge with a hammer to spread/swell/increase its thickness) and then fusion weld them together.

 

[Brad93]

yep use earth conductor from T&E

 

[BrokenBiker]

What thickness are they?

You might be able to slightly turn up the edge (or biff the edge with a hammer to spread/swell/increase its thickness) and then fusion weld them together.

its basically just some copper tube thats been cut and opened out, then cut into 6" lengths...need to weld about 8 of them to make the width needed for this sign

yep use earth conductor from T&E

awesome, was hoping that would be the answer

 

[Kram]

Copper has an extremely high conductivity so expect to need the amps high and burn your gloves often, worth doing some test welds.

Brazing may be easier and a lot cheaper on gas?
Zoro sell these rods that are easy to use, no flux needed copper to copper. Dont use them on steel.

https://www.zoro.co.uk/shop/welding-brazing-and-soldering/solders/3-0mm-silbralloy-copper-copper-brazing-alloy/p/ZT1000878X

 

[Brad93]

Copper has an extremely high conductivity so expect to need the amps high and burn your gloves often, worth doing some test welds.

Brazing may be easier and a lot cheaper on gas?
Zoro sell these rods that are easy to use, no flux needed copper to copper. Dont use them on steel.

https://www.zoro.co.uk/shop/welding-brazing-and-soldering/solders/3-0mm-silbralloy-copper-copper-brazing-alloy/p/ZT1000878X

Nonsense. Thin copper tigs easily. It's when you get to 3-4mm thick it starts to get fun because you need a water cooled torch and about 200 amps

 

[Shedendman]

@BrokenBiker let us know how it goes,i've a similar project in mind also

 

[Kram]

When I was typing my reply he hadn't yet stated the thickness. I agree, sheet from tube is only about 0.7mm thick and should be easy. I got quite burnt filling in some holes in 4mm copper.

However I still think argon is better spent on something else

 

[Beeezer]

Leg it !!!

 

[RichardM]

Do you know anyone getting their hot water cylinder changed?

 

[dave h 2]

its basically just some copper tube thats been cut and opened out, then cut into 6" lengths...need to weld about 8 of them to make the width needed for this sign



awesome, was hoping that would be the answer

Saying tube implies not thin central heating pipe, it tends to be thicker. Which is why you are seeing thickness questions.
BTW 1" tube is an OD , 1" pipe is an ID so they have different outside diameters.

 

[BrokenBiker]

Saying tube implies not thin central heating pipe, it tends to be thicker. Which is why you are seeing thickness questions.
BTW 1" tube is an OD , 1" pipe is an ID so they have different outside diameters.

Haven't seen it yet...was thrown in the skip after an office refurb...

 

[Turbo]

A chunk out of a hot water cylinder will be thicker than pipe and will save a lot of work.
If you can't get one locally try a scrap yard armed with a cordless grinder.

 

[indykid]

Nonsense. Thin copper tigs easily. It's when you get to 3-4mm thick it starts to get fun because you need a water cooled torch and about 200 amps

I welded some bits of ~18mm thick substation bus bar together to make a pass through arm for the spot welder for welding the returns on wheel arches. I had to warm it all up cherry red with OA (which took some doing in itself) then TIGged it at ~260A. Tried it without the OA and it was like trying to weld steel with 10A. When it was hot, I tried copper wire from some big SWA cable as filler but it wasn't happy, really sooty. Maybe it's not as well deoxidised as T&E or maybe surface contamination.

Like you say though, welding thinner sheet is fine, either autogenous or with filler. I've never had a problem with earth core from T&E on thinner stuff.

 

[nickk]

I have a pile of 0.7mm copper sheet,if you need any.