Copper?

[Kastor]

Does anyone have any knowledge regarding Copper as a usable hilt material? I am working on a design influenced by Nikola Tesla's work. Mostly the Tesla Coil. I would like to use Copper as either the main body or an overlay in conjunction with aluminum.

[Rhyen Skytracker]

Copper is easy to work with, but it is very expensive. It is over 15 times more expensive than aluminum.

[xl97]

its also hard to maintain if you ever plan on 'touching it'.. haha..

always the polish! (maybe a clear seal or PC over it might keep..but might take away the 'shine' too)..


and as stated.. its VERY expensive. (compared to aluminum)

[Kastor]

I knew it was expensive lol. I was looking up prices and for one foot it was around $60.

So it is easy to machine then? I was thinking of having it machined somewhere. Also will it corrode in contact with aluminum?

So finger prints are the issue? That I don't mind too much, in fact with my design it should look more industrial and less showy. Will it scratch?

[xl97]

yes.. it will scratch.. (its a softer metal)

yes it can be machined (the heatsinks here are made from copper)


Im not too sure about corrosion with other metals.. but I'll say I 'dont think so.

1.) because we use copper heatsinks in our aluminum hilts
2.) I believe machinists like Do-Clo have used solid copper in builds before..

(I have nevr myself though)

[Onli-Won Kanomi]

Randomsabers used copper parts in a few hilts including one with a machined copper emitter with Kit Fisto type fins that was VERY beautiful and Ultrasabers has made some copper pipe based sabers too but unprotected copper WILL develop an old-penny "patina" and very rapidly with ungloved handling...if you are going for a steampunk/Victorian era/Belle Epoque look then copper parts might look very nice indeed even with a patina and I can see how it could fit with a 'Tesla saber'...but if you want to keep it 'bright penny' looking you'll definitely need to get it clear coated or laquered or be prepared to polish it FREQUENTLY.

edit: ah...found it: http://randomsabers.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2293 ...pretty eh?

[Crystal Chambers]

Dude!...Corbin Das's killer penny!

I'm pretty sure it's solid copper with some brass overlay. Definitely one of my favs.

[Onli-Won Kanomi]

Oh how could I forget the legendary Killer Penny!

And it should be noted as an alternative to real copper parts TCSS does have copper PC

[cardcollector]

copper will tarnish as soon as you touch it, it turns to a dirty brown...

Try it with a TCSS heatsink if you don't beleive me.

If you PC some clear coat on it, the copper will look like it has a plastic coating on it, you will lose the metal look...

I would buy aluminum and then PC it the solor you want.

[Lan-Ja Hamil]

Randomsabers used copper parts in a few hilts including one with a machined copper emitter with Kit Fisto type fins that was VERY beautiful and Ultrasabers has made some copper pipe based sabers too but unprotected copper WILL develop an old-penny "patina" and very rapidly with ungloved handling...if you are going for a steampunk/Victorian era/Belle Epoque look then copper parts might look very nice indeed even with a patina and I can see how it could fit with a 'Tesla saber'...but if you want to keep it 'bright penny' looking you'll definitely need to get it clear coated or laquered or be prepared to polish it FREQUENTLY.

edit: ah...found it: http://randomsabers.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2293 ...pretty eh?

Onli-Won beat me to it. I was going to say that if you wanted a nice "weathered" copper look just let it be.