"Leo Van Der Loo" wrote in message
...

Hi Nick

Normally metal spinning is done between headstock and tailstock, the way
you are doing it is very dangerous imo.

Only deadsoft alluminium and pewter are not work hardened, gold silver
copper brass and alluminium are work hardened.
you need good lubrication while spinning or you get the galling that you
got.

I think that you should use pewter for what you are trying to do, it's a
lot easier to work with, copper also works well and is less costly and can
be annealed easily.


Copper is a good choice. "ductility" is what counts. Then electroplate for
your mirror experiment. easy enough.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ductility