I have a project that entails cutting thin copper sheeting.
There are small radii, too small and tight for snips.
I was thinking about using 2 pcs of plywood to sandwich
the copper with.
Has anyone had experience cutting it this way ?
Is there a metal cutting blade for a scroll saw ?

A woodworking blade should be able to cut thin copper. Sandwiching it
sounds like a good idea, assuming you use 1/4" or less plywood, although
probably not absolutely needed.

Jess.S

wrote:
I have a project that entails cutting thin copper sheeting.
There are small radii, too small and tight for snips.
I was thinking about using 2 pcs of plywood to sandwich
the copper with.
Has anyone had experience cutting it this way ?
Is there a metal cutting blade for a scroll saw ?

wrote:
I have a project that entails cutting thin copper sheeting.
There are small radii, too small and tight for snips.
I was thinking about using 2 pcs of plywood to sandwich
the copper with.
Has anyone had experience cutting it this way ?
Is there a metal cutting blade for a scroll saw ?

I have done quite a bit of copper tooling. That's 5 mil thick. Don't know
how thick yours is, but hefty scissors worked for me, and even a paper
cutter will give you nice results on very thin stuff.

Copper is easy to work with. I'd try some scissors.

Steve

" wrote in
oups.com:

I have a project that entails cutting thin copper sheeting.
There are small radii, too small and tight for snips.
I was thinking about using 2 pcs of plywood to sandwich
the copper with.
Has anyone had experience cutting it this way ?
Is there a metal cutting blade for a scroll saw ?


How big are the holes/radii? A scroll saw should work. I would try
sandwiching the copper like you thought.

R. Pierce Butler wrote:
" wrote in
oups.com:

I have a project that entails cutting thin copper sheeting.
There are small radii, too small and tight for snips.
I was thinking about using 2 pcs of plywood to sandwich
the copper with.
Has anyone had experience cutting it this way ?
Is there a metal cutting blade for a scroll saw ?


How big are the holes/radii? A scroll saw should work. I would try
sandwiching the copper like you thought.

Some of the holes are 1/2 in dia. I've tried aircraft snips & it's a
bit
hard cutting corners without leaving a saw-tooth edge.
The copper sheeting is a little thicker than a manila folder. I don't
know
what the thickness is. May use a gauge tomorrow to check it.
Ideally, a scroll saw would be nice, but I'm not sure if there is a
metal cutting blade to use.

wrote:

Some of the holes are 1/2 in dia. I've tried aircraft snips & it's a
bit
hard cutting corners without leaving a saw-tooth edge.
The copper sheeting is a little thicker than a manila folder. I don't
know
what the thickness is. May use a gauge tomorrow to check it.
Ideally, a scroll saw would be nice, but I'm not sure if there is a
metal cutting blade to use.

Using your idea, create a sandwich using 9 ply Birch (1/2) and the
copper sheet using screws around the perimeter to hold thing firmly
together.

Drill 1/4 holes thru the 1/2 holes described above.

(Makes turning the piece relative to the blade MUCH easier)

Use a scroll saw with a standard wood blade (about 8-10 TPI) to cut out
the pattern the same way my landlord makes temporary tooling to die cut
gaskets using 5/8 Birch ply.

Don't rush, this is a time consuming task.G

When finished, trash the blade if it has become dull which is doubtful.

Have fun.


Lew

In article .com, papadoo1
@gmail.com says...

R. Pierce Butler wrote:
" wrote in
oups.com:

I have a project that entails cutting thin copper sheeting.
There are small radii, too small and tight for snips.
I was thinking about using 2 pcs of plywood to sandwich
the copper with.
Has anyone had experience cutting it this way ?
Is there a metal cutting blade for a scroll saw ?


How big are the holes/radii? A scroll saw should work. I would try
sandwiching the copper like you thought.

Some of the holes are 1/2 in dia. I've tried aircraft snips & it's a
bit
hard cutting corners without leaving a saw-tooth edge.
The copper sheeting is a little thicker than a manila folder. I don't
know
what the thickness is. May use a gauge tomorrow to check it.
Ideally, a scroll saw would be nice, but I'm not sure if there is a
metal cutting blade to use.

A scroll saw/jeweller's saw will work just fine - been there, done that (used
to cut out blanks from copper sheet for enamelling). Make yourself a base out
of a wee board with a keyhole shaped cutout (hard wood) that you can clamp to a
table or screw down on a bench, then cut the copper on that. No need for the
sandwich.
http://www9.yatego.com/images/415d0d...chen-klein.jpg
http://www.gerstaecker.de/Laubsagetischchen.htm

-P.

--
=========================================
firstname dot lastname at gmail fullstop com

" wrote in
oups.com:


R. Pierce Butler wrote:
" wrote in
oups.com:

I have a project that entails cutting thin copper sheeting.
There are small radii, too small and tight for snips.
I was thinking about using 2 pcs of plywood to sandwich
the copper with.
Has anyone had experience cutting it this way ?
Is there a metal cutting blade for a scroll saw ?


How big are the holes/radii? A scroll saw should work. I would try
sandwiching the copper like you thought.

Some of the holes are 1/2 in dia. I've tried aircraft snips & it's a
bit
hard cutting corners without leaving a saw-tooth edge.
The copper sheeting is a little thicker than a manila folder. I don't
know
what the thickness is. May use a gauge tomorrow to check it.
Ideally, a scroll saw would be nice, but I'm not sure if there is a
metal cutting blade to use.


there is little difference between cutting soft metals and wood. All you
need is more teeth per inch and more time.

What is wrong with a metal cutting scroll saw blade?

http://woodworker.com/cgi-bin/FULLPR...3&LARGEVIEW=ON

I used to have some metal blades for my ancient Delta. They might be
around somewhere.

wrote:
I have a project that entails cutting thin copper sheeting.

if it's thin enough a sharp knife and a firm steady hand will do it

wrote:
I have a project that entails cutting thin copper sheeting.
There are small radii, too small and tight for snips.
I was thinking about using 2 pcs of plywood to sandwich
the copper with.
Has anyone had experience cutting it this way ?
Is there a metal cutting blade for a scroll saw ?

rough cut then sand to final shape on a small belt sander or disk sander

wrote:
R. Pierce Butler wrote:
" wrote in
oups.com:

I have a project that entails cutting thin copper sheeting.
There are small radii, too small and tight for snips.
I was thinking about using 2 pcs of plywood to sandwich
the copper with.
Has anyone had experience cutting it this way ?
Is there a metal cutting blade for a scroll saw ?

How big are the holes/radii? A scroll saw should work. I would try
sandwiching the copper like you thought.

Some of the holes are 1/2 in dia. I've tried aircraft snips & it's a
bit
hard cutting corners without leaving a saw-tooth edge.
The copper sheeting is a little thicker than a manila folder. I don't
know
what the thickness is. May use a gauge tomorrow to check it.
Ideally, a scroll saw would be nice, but I'm not sure if there is a
metal cutting blade to use.

if the cuts are for interior curves, i.e. the disk is discarded and
where the disk was cut from is the finished product, rough cut or drill
out and then use a small drum sander on a hand grinder and grind to your
lines.

In article .com, " wrote:

Some of the holes are 1/2 in dia. I've tried aircraft snips & it's a
bit hard cutting corners without leaving a saw-tooth edge.
The copper sheeting is a little thicker than a manila folder.

For simple round holes in thin copper, you can use a punch. Don't have one?
Make one. Steel tubing of the appropriate size, sharpened by tapering one end
with a grinder or a file.

--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)

It's time to throw all their damned tea in the harbor again.

wrote:
R. Pierce Butler wrote:
" wrote in
oups.com:

I have a project that entails cutting thin copper sheeting.
There are small radii, too small and tight for snips.
I was thinking about using 2 pcs of plywood to sandwich
the copper with.
Has anyone had experience cutting it this way ?
Is there a metal cutting blade for a scroll saw ?


How big are the holes/radii? A scroll saw should work. I would try
sandwiching the copper like you thought.

Some of the holes are 1/2 in dia. I've tried aircraft snips & it's a
bit
hard cutting corners without leaving a saw-tooth edge.
The copper sheeting is a little thicker than a manila folder. I don't
know
what the thickness is. May use a gauge tomorrow to check it.
Ideally, a scroll saw would be nice, but I'm not sure if there is a
metal cutting blade to use.

Could you not get various sizes of square tubing and grind an edge on all
sides so its razor sharp and then use it as a punch to cut the copper
through?

--
Sir Benjamin Middlethwaite

"The3rd Earl Of Derby" wrote in news:0DaOg.18854$r61.111
@text.news.blueyonder.co.uk:

wrote:
R. Pierce Butler wrote:
" wrote in
oups.com:

I have a project that entails cutting thin copper sheeting.
There are small radii, too small and tight for snips.
I was thinking about using 2 pcs of plywood to sandwich
the copper with.
Has anyone had experience cutting it this way ?
Is there a metal cutting blade for a scroll saw ?


How big are the holes/radii? A scroll saw should work. I would try
sandwiching the copper like you thought.

Some of the holes are 1/2 in dia. I've tried aircraft snips & it's a
bit
hard cutting corners without leaving a saw-tooth edge.
The copper sheeting is a little thicker than a manila folder. I don't
know
what the thickness is. May use a gauge tomorrow to check it.
Ideally, a scroll saw would be nice, but I'm not sure if there is a
metal cutting blade to use.

Could you not get various sizes of square tubing and grind an edge on all
sides so its razor sharp and then use it as a punch to cut the copper
through?


If the copper is a bit thicker than a manila folder, then I figure it is
between .020 and .060 inches thick. That is going to be a tough punch.

In article , "R. Pierce Butler" wrote:

If the copper is a bit thicker than a manila folder, then I figure it is
between .020 and .060 inches thick. That is going to be a tough punch.

Copper's pretty soft, actually...

--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)

It's time to throw all their damned tea in the harbor again.

R. Pierce Butler wrote:
"The3rd Earl Of Derby" wrote in
news:0DaOg.18854$r61.111 @text.news.blueyonder.co.uk:

wrote:
R. Pierce Butler wrote:
" wrote in
oups.com:

I have a project that entails cutting thin copper sheeting.
There are small radii, too small and tight for snips.
I was thinking about using 2 pcs of plywood to sandwich
the copper with.
Has anyone had experience cutting it this way ?
Is there a metal cutting blade for a scroll saw ?


How big are the holes/radii? A scroll saw should work. I would
try sandwiching the copper like you thought.

Some of the holes are 1/2 in dia. I've tried aircraft snips & it's
a bit
hard cutting corners without leaving a saw-tooth edge.
The copper sheeting is a little thicker than a manila folder. I
don't know
what the thickness is. May use a gauge tomorrow to check it.
Ideally, a scroll saw would be nice, but I'm not sure if there is a
metal cutting blade to use.

Could you not get various sizes of square tubing and grind an edge
on all sides so its razor sharp and then use it as a punch to cut
the copper through?


If the copper is a bit thicker than a manila folder, then I figure it
is between .020 and .060 inches thick. That is going to be a tough
punch.

Them figures are not that thick and give you 100to1 it'll cut through
copper plate/tin of that thickness.
Copper is an easy material to cut and dent.

--
Sir Benjamin Middlethwaite

wrote:

I was thinking about using 2 pcs of plywood to sandwich
the copper with.

Even just one (underneath) is adequate, with a biit of DS tape to hold
it down This may make things easier to see.

Scroll saws have plenty of suitable blades.

I've done some really intricate patterns in thin copper using a bandsaw
with a thin blade. Enclosed cuts were done on a scroll saw. If you are
making multiples of the same pattern, a sandwich is the way to go. I
found that I could make a sandwich with four sheets of copper and five
sheets of luan/doorskin/etc. My favorite way of keeping everything
together was using a low grab spray adhesive like 3M 77. Coat all
surfaces. If your pattern is delicate, don't pry the sandwich apart.
Instead throw the sandwich in a container of thinner and let the
thinner dissolve the adhesive. Works like a charm.

Paul

wrote:
I've done some really intricate patterns in thin copper using a bandsaw
with a thin blade. Enclosed cuts were done on a scroll saw. If you are
making multiples of the same pattern, a sandwich is the way to go. I
found that I could make a sandwich with four sheets of copper and five
sheets of luan/doorskin/etc.

Why would you need more than a top and bottom sheet of plywood? More
than that seems wasteful. The only sheets that will get deformed by
the cutting action are the top and bottom sheets of copper.

My favorite way of keeping everything
together was using a low grab spray adhesive like 3M 77. Coat all
surfaces. If your pattern is delicate, don't pry the sandwich apart.
Instead throw the sandwich in a container of thinner and let the
thinner dissolve the adhesive. Works like a charm.

I can see using the spray and solvent for small pieces, but if they're
too big to fit in say a cereal bowl, that also seems wasteful and I
avoid solvents whenever possible.

Whenever I've had to cut multiples I've used a top and bottom sheet of
cheap paneling or plywood, screwed the sandwich together in waste areas
and clamped the perimeter if it's large.

The tight radii should be drilled out to the exact size so there's no
need to run the saw into the tightest part of the curves. Bimetal hole
saw for anything over 1/2".

R

Cutting thin metal on a scroll say is common. Blades are commonly
available. http://www.mikesworkshop.com/blades.htm
wrote in message
oups.com...


a scroll saw would be nice, but I'm not sure if there is a
metal cutting blade to use.

wrote:
I have a project that entails cutting thin copper sheeting.
There are small radii, too small and tight for snips.
I was thinking about using 2 pcs of plywood to sandwich
the copper with.
Has anyone had experience cutting it this way ?
Is there a metal cutting blade for a scroll saw ?

If you go with the scroll saw wood blade, and don't sandwich the top
don't use a blade with reverse teeth.
regards
John

John B wrote:
wrote:
I have a project that entails cutting thin copper sheeting.
There are small radii, too small and tight for snips.
I was thinking about using 2 pcs of plywood to sandwich
the copper with.
Has anyone had experience cutting it this way ?
Is there a metal cutting blade for a scroll saw ?

If you go with the scroll saw wood blade, and don't sandwich the top
don't use a blade with reverse teeth.
regards
John
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THANKS TO ALL WHO RESPONDED WITH IDEAS ON CUTTING
THIN SHEETS OF COPPER.
The sheets are .025 thick. . . I found a source for metal cutting
blades.
May go with that.
This is a great forum. Just when you think you have seen and done it
all,
someone comes along with a new idea and way of doing things.
Smitty