I want to do some work in copper, particularly sheeting. Can anyone suggest a source? And what would be the best way to join it up? Soldering? I will rivet some, but some that I am going to use in fountains will have to be soldered. Suggestions on solder mixes, fluxes, etc would be appreciated.
Steve
The thinner coppers that are used in roofing are readily available from roofing supply stores. (I recall 16 and 24 oz thicknesses). Soldering copper is easy with a propane torch, flux, and 60-40 tin-lead solder. I work primarily in thicker copper, around 0.040 inch (1 mm) thick. For the thinner copper, you can cut it with a pair of tinsnips or aviation snips. It is better to have both left and right hand snips. With soldering so easy, riveting may not be that useful, though of course it would depend on what you are doing.
Richard
SteveB wrote:
Harris 15% silver solder - for copper only.
I can't help you with soldering advice but over the winter I fabricated 50 or so standing seam snow pans, also made drip edge and ridge cap. I used 16 oz roofing copper, it came in 3'x8' sheets. I bought it at a general metal supply shop, they ordered it in and would not shear it for me (I got the "its too expensive to mess up and we hire monkey's......speech). Shop around the first quotes I got were about $115 a sheet, I ended up paying $73 per and I got 25. I went back because I needed 1 more and it cost $102.... I did some of the bends on my old siding brake, it wouldn't handle small bends like 3/8's lips and returns. The rest was done on an apron brake.
Enjoy
Andrew
A oxy/acetylene /propane torch and phoscopper rod gives a good strong joint and you don't even need a flux
Tom
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