Flame painted, hammered copper, Butterfly

This how to video shows how I flame paint a hammered copper butterfly. This one is about 6" wide, made from 24 GA soft copper sheet. After attaching the copper wire I clean it with a ScotchBrite type material in one of my rotary tools. I use a simple propane torch to prepare the copper, I quit heating it when it is a silver steel color. I'm using propane and oxygen to color the copper, cooling it by a fan when I get the colors I want. If you have any questions please ask below or email me [e-mail]

[@DavidGrassSr]

I knew it ... thereś a lot of tricks in those hands, thanks for sharing them with us ? See Ya

[@evilevilrick]

Very cool Pete.

[@TrubeyLou]

Awesome Pete! 🦋 Congrats on your first video, cannot wait to watch more and learn from you! 🌟

[@peteblairakathemadscientist]

Thanks buddy I do hope the videos improve!

[@jesseherrin3253]

Awesome work, Pete!

[@peteblairakathemadscientist]

Thanks Jesse!

[@jesseherrin3253]

@@peteblairakathemadscientist You’re welcome, my friend!

[@peteblairakathemadscientist]

I used 2K clear coat you can use just about any gas but the size of the flame will impact on the shapes and colour you get

[@margaretbowman6647]

What a great video! Any chance you can tell me more about the jigsaw tool that you cut the butterfly out with?

[@peteblairakathemadscientist]

Hi and thanks for asking. In the video I am using a Hegner Scroll saw with a fine tooth metal blade but this could be cut quite easily with a jewels saw. If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

[@margaretbowman6647]

@@peteblairakathemadscientist Wow, Pete…quick reply! I am a 65 year old silversmith recovering from carpal tunnel surgery! That saw gave me hope that I could continue to do projects I have planned for this year! With the copper flame painting… I have had some success spraying the pieces without losing the color. I do it by placing an item in the bottom of an empty trashcan on a paper plate… then gently spraying the lacquer 3 feet above it and letting the spray gently land on it. I do it several times… If I spray it close I seem to lose the beautiful blues and pinks! I call it my vapor chamber…🤣🔥👏

[@peteblairakathemadscientist]

@@margaretbowman6647 So cool. I myself am 78 and try to learn something new every day and thanks to you I have learned something today. Would you be able to provide a few more details. Such as the size of the trash can? Is it full size? What material are you spraying and do you spray sort of 'over the trash can" or more down into it? I gotta go to my shop and try this!! Oh and I forgot to mention that just about any scroll saw will work for you. I often saw 3 pieces of copper at a time. Note that the better quality of the saw the more likelihood you will have to succeed!

[@peteblairakathemadscientist]

@@margaretbowman6647 I thought I had answered your saw question but now I can't find my response. I use a pretty expensive scroll saw (Hegner) but any good saw should work. I have cut up to three butterflies at the same time. A jewelers saw would work as well. Wow. What a great idea, not sure how you came up with it and I wonder if you might share a little more. What size trash can? Do you just spray across it an let it settle or do you spray a light coat into the can? What finishing material are you using and how long between coats?

[@lovethelalaland]

Loved it !! Beautiful. Thank you for sharing. What do you use to seal the metal at the end and protect it from corrosion ? Ty

[@peteblairakathemadscientist]

Hi Kat. Thanks for taking the time to watch this and leave me a comment. I use an automotive spray that I buy on Amazon.ca.

[@lenastiward8657]

Next time could you please have the camera up close on your work so we can actually see the beautiful things you are doing? Thanks❤

[@peteblairakathemadscientist]

Thanks for taking the time to comment and make this suggestion Lena. Filming with just my older iPhone and no assistance makes it difficult to really get 'into' the shot but when I film my next one I will certainly keep that in mind.

[@lenastiward8657]

@@peteblairakathemadscientist I totally understand! However, you teased us and now we want more!!!!

[@peteblairakathemadscientist]

@@lenastiward8657 Done!!! Hope this one is a little easier to see!

[@lenastiward8657]

@@peteblairakathemadscientist I am taking a small metals jewelry class at the community college and love it! I am new to the torch and totally scared! Flame painting totally intrigued me so you are in my eyes a rockstar!

[@peteblairakathemadscientist]

@@lenastiward8657 Stop it already! My hat is getting tighter and tighter. Did you happen to catch the video where I showed my torch set-up. I'm now using an oxygen generator and small propane bottles. Along with a Tiny Torch, works like a charm and I don't have big bottle of oxygen hanging around. Found the Generator at auction for pretty cheap (less than a 20 gal bottle) and I see them coming up more and more often.

[@stonedangel8173]

What did you use to seal it? And can you just use map gas if that is all you have?

[@ritamontalvo6195]

Please what brand is that equipment you use to cut the metal? I love your work!!!!!!

[@peteblairakathemadscientist]

Thanks for taking the time to watch and leave me a comment. The saw I am using is a Hegner but any of the bette brands of saws would work with the correct blades.

[@Budrudesill44]

the view of the coating material was too quick and incomplete to tell what you preserved the color with. What did you use and will it withstand jewelry tarnish removing solutions?

[@peteblairakathemadscientist]

Thanks for watching and I am sorry that part was too short. i used www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B08WR3HQMK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1 It 'should' stand up to anything but an abrasive type

[@Budrudesill44]

@@peteblairakathemadscientist Thank you. It's a different brand than I've seen before but there seems to be a concensut that these automotive coatings are the best.

[@peteblairakathemadscientist]

I still manage to lose a bunch of the best colors!!@@Budrudesill44

[@sinistershenanigans965]

Ott 😴