Question: inlay
- Thread starter zahar
- Start date
I bought a roll of dead soft copper wire from Rio Grande it works great I can pull it without any trouble through my wire draw plate. It good for teaching students. J.J.
oiseau metal arts
Elite Cafe Member
what is source of your wire?
I was given 50m of .5mm "copper" wire once, that turned out to be copper placed steel wire.
if it was ordered, and not given/found, then I'm not sure what the issue might be. wrapping it up in about a 2-4cm diameter coil, and heating it till it all relaxes and lays flat should soften it up to be ready for inlay.
I was given 50m of .5mm "copper" wire once, that turned out to be copper placed steel wire.
if it was ordered, and not given/found, then I'm not sure what the issue might be. wrapping it up in about a 2-4cm diameter coil, and heating it till it all relaxes and lays flat should soften it up to be ready for inlay.
heat the wire till a dull red color. once it gets to room temperature, the fire scale (oxidation) must be removed. pickling will work-- fast-- fine sandpaper-- slow-- will also work.
Doc Mark
~ Elite 1000 Member ~
Make sure you are using PURE copper, not an alloy. Some electrical wires are not pure copper.
Jan Hendrik
Elite Cafe Member
To anneal copper without the need to pickle or sand the wire:
Evenly heat the copper wire coil to a dull red colour and quench immediately in methylated spirits. It will be dead soft and perfectly free of oxides!
Evenly heat the copper wire coil to a dull red colour and quench immediately in methylated spirits. It will be dead soft and perfectly free of oxides!
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