On 25 Dec 2004 16:02:24 -0800, (relic) wrote:

i em trying to plate a wooden swords guard with sheeted copper and i
am having a problem with joining the pieces toghether with as less
seems as possible i tryed streching the sheet to make alowences for
the convexing & concaving (sorry if i misspelled here im not native)
of the wooden guard but the sheets are too thin and i tried welding
but i just cant get copper wire to melt with my hand torch (hobby
grade torch) any ideas
(it has to be used later with out me cutting my hands on it practicing
tai chi forms)

Shellac or varnish the wood if it isn't already. Then make it
conductive with copper dust or a suitable spray coating, and then
electroplate copper to desired thickness. Same process as is used in
"bronzing" baby shoes.

The resulting copper can be buffed to a mirror finish if desired.

Suitable supplies and better instructions are available from
www.caswellplating.com

There are probably places you can have this done for less than the
supplies would cost for a one-off. See, e.g.,
http://www.abcbronze.com/orderform.php