how bad

[butcher_block]

how bad would it be to melt down copper i have some used motors and was thinking about unwinding them and stripping the copper to melt and make plates out of them for quenching
i know brass is bad to melt but not sure
should i just take the copper to scrap for the $ and buy plates
thanks

 

[Sweany]

http://balrog.sdsu.edu/~pdintron/Clara.htm

these guys have been doing it for years.

Big charcoal/wood fire with some kinda air source. It needs to be a big fire to keep the oxy out of the copper.

 

[butcher_block]

thats good news and i was planing on using my kiln to do it long as i know how hot i need to run it
i didnt know if it was going to gas off or anything like that

 

[Laredo7mm]

Copper melts at around 1981 °F Pretty hot, but not too bad. One cast then you will have to clean them up and make them flat. I would take the scrap money and buy some plates. By the time you add up your effort and the "fuel" you use to melt the copper, it would probably be a wash.

 

[Sweany]

If you make nifty bowls like the El Cobre do You can afford a KMG

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

The fumes from the copper should not be too dangerous if you use the proper ventilation and safety procedures.All that aside,it would be more reasonable to buy the plates with the scrap money.The melting crucible alone may cost you more than you will save.

 

[Sweany]

ya don't need a criucible ya need a brush fire and a LEAF BLOWER