Brazing Copper

More than likely it is silver solder. It comes in small, flat sticks as you mention.

Do not solder, you will be sorry. They won't hold up without using plumbers fittings, there isn't enough surface area. Believe me, been there done that, and I hated the T-Shirt I got.

The flat sticks that your friend is using is called sil-phos. It is what I use. It is self fluxing and works great. There are a few different varieties out there, some are better at filling in voids (non perfect fitting joints) than others. Ask your friend for a source. You can see the JW Harris web site at:

. The color doesn't match too well, but most people don't mind, and the better you are at it the less it will show. Practice helps a lot. You will need a hot torch like air/acetylene or oxygen/acetylene. A normal propane torch just won't cut it.

You can view my web page at:

for some examples of my work. Lane

Lane,

Nice website, got a question or two if you don't mind.

First, how did you achieve the vergidis on the pieces you show? I have heard of a "patenaing(sp) cocktail" using vinegar, muriatic acid and a few other things to speed the process along, just wondered what your process was like. Not asking for any trade secrets here, maybe just a heads up on which way to go.

Secondly, do you do anything with copper sheets? In a past life, 15-20 years ago, my Dad and I done quite a bit of copper work. Mostly gutters and downspouts, chimney flashing and the like but we got to do some custom stuff that I wish we had taken some pics of but didn't. I want to get back into it as a hobby/secondary income, was just wondering if you had done any.

Thanks in advance and again nice site, Jim C Roberts

PS You have some beautiful country out there, the mountains in the background of some of your pics really compliment your work. Jim

Jim, I've sent you a separate email also.....

The patina I use is very simple and cheap. Miracle-Gro liquid fertilizer!

I've done very little with copper sheet. I've made two chimney caps for my brother-in-law who does roofing.

Thanks for the compliments.... appreciate it.

Lane

I would suggest brazing it with phoscopper, or equivalent. The wire is inexpensive, and has the same colour as copper. No flux is needed for copper.

Steve R.