machining copper

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  • johnnyf
    Junior Member
    • Aug 2009
    • 19

    machining copper

    My vise needs some new jaws so I thought I would make them from copper. I've never machined copper so any suggestions would be appreciated. Will need to square up the stock, size, drill and countersink the mounting holes.

    John
  • Carld
    Senior Member
    • Aug 2006
    • 6061

    #2
    Is that a bench vise or a mill vise?
    It's only ink and paper

    Comment

    • Fasttrack
      Senior Member
      • Jul 2005
      • 6300

      #3
      I hate machining copper; it is very gummy. I'd consider using something else that is cheaper and easier to deal with. How about brass?

      If you are dead set on copper, I'm sure someone here can help you. My limited experience with it has not been pleasent, though.

      Comment

      • RKW
        Senior Member
        • Jun 2007
        • 476

        #4
        This forum's search function returns 12 threads (including this one) about machining copper when using "machining copper" as the search criteria.

        Btw, not trying to be a smart ass or anything but just wanted to point out the search function does work well if you use the correct criteria. Google too.

        Old machinist books recommend milk ...

        Best of luck
        Last edited by RKW; 01-14-2011, 03:55 PM.
        "Work hard. Tell everyone everything you know. Close a deal with a handshake. Have fun!"

        -- Harold "Doc" Edgerton

        Comment

        • Weston Bye
          Contributing Editor
          • Jun 2002
          • 4265

          #5
          Just yesterday I machined a couple of copper details for a resistance welding fixture. Took no special precautions, milling, drilling or tapping. Used ordinary cutting oil for tapping 1/4-20 threads. The metal is indeed gummy, but I had no problems.
          Weston Bye - Author, The Mechatronist column, Digital Machinist magazine
          ~Practitioner of the Electromechanical Arts~

          Comment

          • MotorradMike
            Senior Member
            • Nov 2009
            • 1087

            #6
            Hi John:

            I asked that question a while back and the guys told me to use Milk as a cutting lubricant! I was having trouble drilling holes in 1/4" copper plate and the milk helped quite a bit.

            I'd choose a different material for the jaws personally.
            Mike

            My Dad always said, "If you want people to do things for you on the farm, you have to buy a machine they can sit on that does most of the work."

            Comment

            • johnnyf
              Junior Member
              • Aug 2009
              • 19

              #7
              vise is 4" wilton machinist. It has beat up serrated steel jaws on it and I find that I prefer a little softer jaw.

              john

              Comment

              • 38_Cal
                Senior Member
                • Dec 2007
                • 1310

                #8
                "I asked that question a while back and the guys told me to use Milk as a cutting lubricant! I was having trouble drilling holes in 1/4" copper plate and the milk helped quite a bit."

                Is that regular, 2% low fat, 1% low fat or skim?

                David
                David Kaiser
                “You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having both at once.”
                ― Robert A. Heinlein

                Comment

                • SGW
                  Senior Member
                  • Apr 2001
                  • 7010

                  #9
                  I assume (but don't know) that you would want to use whole milk with the butterfat in it.
                  ----------
                  Try to make a living, not a killing. -- Utah Phillips
                  Don't believe everything you know. -- Bumper sticker
                  Everybody is ignorant, only on different subjects. -- Will Rogers
                  There are lots of people who mistake their imagination for their memory. - Josh Billings
                  Law of Logical Argument - Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
                  Don't own anything you have to feed or paint. - Hood River Blackie

                  Comment

                  • Liger Zero
                    Senior Member
                    • Apr 2007
                    • 2579

                    #10
                    Originally posted by 38_Cal
                    "I asked that question a while back and the guys told me to use Milk as a cutting lubricant! I was having trouble drilling holes in 1/4" copper plate and the milk helped quite a bit."

                    Is that regular, 2% low fat, 1% low fat or skim?

                    David

                    I expect this to be on page five by the time I get back.
                    This product has been determined by the state of California to cause permanent irreversible death. This statement may or may not be recognized as valid by all states.
                    Heirs of an old war/that's what we've become Inheriting troubles I'm mentally numb
                    Plastic Operators Dot Com

                    Comment

                    • Al Messer
                      Senior Member
                      • Jun 2002
                      • 2295

                      #11
                      Maybe you ought to consider sheet Lead. That is what I use in my Bench Vise when I'm holding something I don't want scrastched or marred. Works very well and is easily moulded to fit the jaws by hand pressure or a small hammer.

                      Using Milk as a lubricant for Copper: this was discovered when the only types of Milk available were Sweet, Skimmed, or Buttermilk.

                      Comment

                      • mike os
                        Senior Member
                        • Sep 2010
                        • 630

                        #12
                        cow, goat, sheep, yak, dog, seal or what?

                        Comment

                        • mike os
                          Senior Member
                          • Sep 2010
                          • 630

                          #13
                          Fresh, pasteurised, homogenised or UHT?

                          Comment

                          • oldstarfire
                            Member
                            • Mar 2010
                            • 76

                            #14
                            Milk

                            Yes.

                            Comment

                            • jugs
                              Senior Member
                              • Aug 2009
                              • 1335

                              #15
                              For copper
                              Machining - full cream milk
                              Tapping - double cream or goose fat.

                              Clean machine twice a week to reduce rancid stink

                              OR

                              use -


                              & for tapping use roll-form taps instead of cutting taps (you get a stronger thread) but tapping hole size will be different see-



                              john
                              John

                              I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not so sure , but I'm not a complete idiot - some bits are still missing

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