CAN YOU MELT COPPER IN A POOR MAN'S CRUCIBLE ???

[@Freeisbetter86]

Melting Gold kzbin.info/www/bejne/kIeUp6COj6-IrNk Melting Silver kzbin.info/www/bejne/imbHo5eiiKZmf6c

[@lourias]

I believe you can melt the copper... just a little different than you did. 1. Make sure after heat is applied for a while that you add flux, such as Borax. Sprinkle some on the hotter metal, not when it is cold. I have heard that Borax will help lower the meeting temperature of the metal while providing protection against oxidation during the melting. 2. If you can, use bricks to reflect the heat back the crucible, or at least shield the crucible and flame from air drafts. Without a crucible, and only attempting to anneal some copper, I was able to melt and fuse stranded copper. I only was using old, used exterior house bricks as a platform and three sides. It was winter time in North Central Texas, so not hot, and probably around 40° F outside.

[@apatterson8128]

It's not a fail, because as of now 11,734 people wondered the same thing. You saved a lot of people a lot of trouble. Thanks

[@Believer1427]

I found out the hard way

[@DanB1987]

Just saved me a whole heap of time and disappointment lol..

[@SirJohnatan]

Since 77k views .....think why it's so much views if they didn't try by themselves this :))) I'm here on this video because I used 2 gas tubes :)))) and same result . Then i found this video and i was surprised for the results :))))) if i could find this video before using 2 tubes ....and now ...before i see this video i was ready to give one more try :)))) I'll make a simple furnace and check next results :))

[@DanB1987]

@@SirJohnatan my reason is because I don't have a blowtorch and didn't want to waste money finding out it don't work..

[@SirJohnatan]

@@DanB1987 mate i came with a new tip, if you have an air compresser use it . I just found it out . I'm using a torch like the one in the video and an aircompresser next to the pipe where flame comes out, and it seems its working im in garage now experimenting :))) if ill get a Brenner I'm satisfied :d so it might work without wasting too much money. Or you can put a small pipe paralel to the flame gun put a hose connected to the pipe then blow the flame with your mouth :) its working too (when I was in high-school I was soldering like that)

[@isaacburtis9536]

Super informative. Thank you. KZbin doesn’t share enough of the “that didn’t work” side. You’re a savior!

[@ddistrbd1]

I thought about this experiment (to melt copper in a small crucible) was ready to try but then I searched it a bit and found your video, after watching your video I realized it would fail big time, thank you for saving me time and money and most of the heartache of failure.

[@liveonmiamibeachcom6775]

what did you end up melting?

[@ddistrbd1]

@@liveonmiamibeachcom6775 I just didn't buy a crucible to get the ball rolling, have two box full of copper scrap from previous projects, gave up the idea of melting copper all together.

[@marilynsouthern1612]

I was just getting ready to try to melt copper and then I thought to look on the web first. YES, great video that saved me from wasting a lot of time!!!

[@lourias]

I believe you can melt the copper... just a little different than you did. 1. Make sure after heat is applied for a while that you add flux, such as Borax. Sprinkle some on the hotter metal, not when it is cold. I have heard that Borax will help lower the meeting temperature of the metal while providing protection against oxidation during the melting. 2. If you can, use bricks to reflect the heat back the crucible, or at least shield the crucible and flame from air drafts. Without a crucible, and only attempting to anneal some copper, I was able to melt and fuse stranded copper. I only was using old, used exterior house bricks as a platform and three sides. It was winter time in North Central Texas, so not hot, and probably around 40° F outside.

[@Holly_Mike]

Was exactly my thought, and I’m going to try it later this week. I think at least a good tablespoon of borax will give a good pool to protect the metal from creating an oxide layer…you’ll just have a slag/crust you’ll have to bang off once you pour it out.

[@qx4n9e1xp]

I'm a plumber and am learning how to braze. I kept getting paranoid my torch would melt the copper if i torched the copper too long. Just wanted to get an idea how much I can apply heat before it melts. Looks like it's a lot and I don't have to worry. The brazing rod melts much much sooner.

[@nomad9229]

I think it’s because MAPP has doesn’t burn as hot as propane.

[@Foomando]

@@nomad9229MAPP burns hotter than Propane by 600f degrees more, basically 3600 f

[@tipxking9944]

You can actually melt it in that crucible. Not sure if anyone pointed it out in the comments but I did the same thing with alot of different metals and the common denominator is that the heat is dispersed through the bottom of the crucible aas the bottom gets hot it is also cooling down. So unless you have something on the bottom of the crucible to keep the bottom of the crucible's heat endothermic then this method is indeed useless.....I went through a lot of gas and products and sleepless nights to get to this conclusion. Hope this helps anyone reading this. 🤙🏾

[@4nbop80user]

It does ! Thanks so much ! It also looks like a whole lot of copper to melt in one go.

[@billyfrear2340]

I use a small electrical porcelain power pole insulator and map gas to melt copper. it takes 5 -10 min to melt approx 5 oz of copper into readily usable (shape able) nugget.

[@fireandcopper]

I've had limited success using wood as a crucible, just carbonize the surface first. I find swirl head torches are much faster and hotter, but use more gas. The tri-webbed flame is like an intermediate step between swirl heads and normal pencil tips. A silver swirl or a jumbo swirl will also use all the oxygen up in the flame and help reduce oxidation

[@wscamel226]

what do you mean wood crucible???

[@sticksandstones1885]

A lot of places don't like to buy melted material.the reason being is they don't know what additives you may have added to it. They also know like when it's a copper pipe they know that it's been manufactured to spec. Are the places that do by melted material normally hit it with a analyzing gun to let them know what material is in it.

[@deancronin5933]

Perhaps you could find something to mostly enclose the crucial to retain the heat similar to a forge?

[@ganeapaul-marius7121]

From my experience,no and even so,i would not recommend melting copper with gas if you want to cast bronze or do some hammer work with it. I am melting bronze in my apartment kitchen using propane and a turbine (lower propane psi=lower gas consumption/lower costs) in a stainless steel foundry made by me and even so,i got lots of problems because i don't make only castings but forge cold bronze too. Copper/bronze has to be protected from air and other gases,this is why a charcoal foundry is the best (charcoal burns all the gases and oxigen,creating carbon monoxide inside the foundry). As a bronze/silver/gold smith,using propane is the worst possible way to melt metals without using borax or other methods of protecting those metals. If you have inside space or outdoor space, building a clay foundry with a turbine (like a smith's foundry) is really easy and the most efficient way to melt metals and remember,good quality casts are made with the metal protected (borax or crucible cover)

[@michaeldavidov3166]

Thanks a lot for this amazing and very informative video. You just saved me a lot of efforts to try melt copper with MAP gas.

[@robertfijimcg]

i haven't done this with copper, only aluminium, but having 2 or 3 burners on at the same time really makes a big difference

[@dadegroot]

I'm not entirely surprised. Copper conducts heat very well. so while you got some of it up to near melting, that heat was being pulled away to the other end of the copper and dissipating. It's why copper is used in heatsinks. You could definitely do it in a coal/coke forge, but for gas, you'll want an insulated furnace to trap the heat in.

[@kamisama9715]

But he managed to melt silver which is more conductive than copper

[@tammygurl64]

This was interesting.👍 I'd love to see you redo this experiment. Here's why... I may be wrong and you probably can't melt a lot at once but I honestly believe you would have been successful IF you'd used smaller/thinner pieces or piles of copper and fluxed your crucible with Borax. I know for a fact 20 gauge copper wire will melt with a butane torch because I've made balled copper head pins for my jewelry using a butane torch (aka chef's kitchen torch). The pieces you were trying to melt were just way too thick to reach a liquidus state using your torch so maybe use bits of 20 gauge or smaller wire. As for fluxing, I just noticed you didn't flux your crucible with Borax (on camera anyway) before you started. Anyway, again... excellent demonstration!👍 I look forward to a redo if you are up for it. I'm very curious. Either way, thanks so much for sharing!! 👍😊

[@Knate1104]

Correct me if I’m wrong but would it work if you used less copper with the same torch? Copper melts at 1085°C or 1984°F. That MAP gas should put out a 3700°F flame. Maybe repositioning with the hottest part of the flame, just above the tip, impacting a single one of those bars of copper. Just a thought idk much about melting metal tho.

[@tammygurl64]

I agree. 👍 I hope he will redo this experiment using much thinner pieces of copper while strategically positioning the flame to its hottest point because I know for a fact small bits of copper will melt with a small butane torch.

[@AreAyeYesss]

I like your energy! Love what you do and do what you love! Thanks for the informative videos!

[@yvonnej6969]

Thank you for your demonstration. I was wondering that myself and you have answered that question for me, much appreciated.

[@hillbilly9366]

And I have built my own furnace too but you can melt it with just propane and you don't need map gas you just got to have the right tip for your torch

[@jaycousland9835]

Pouring good oxygen and hydrogen free copper is a challenge even for experienced foundrymen.Alit if guys will not pour if it is cloudy outside,because the water vapor will cause hydrogen bubbles.Some use charcoal over the melt to scavenge any free oxygen. Then you want to pour a test cock to ensure you don't have gassy metal. And because of coppers incredible conductivity,you got to out more heat into it,than is being carried away,which you found out!Keep casting!

[@chicodafreako313]

Try adding borax, it lowers the melting point of metal

[@Frank-ih9ew]

I was literally about to try this exact same thing, thank you for sharing.

[@Frank-ih9ew]

Lol, I just realized I had commented on here a year ago when I wanted to do this in the past. Maybe I'll learn one day.

[@mechaman3287]

Thank you for sharing this. i was abt to start melting copper the way u did. really help me out by watching this. thanks.

[@perfesser944]

You might want to make a little cave with bricks to place your crucible in. That way, the reverberation of heat upon the burden will improve the efficiency of the process. BTW, is that an ashtray you are using as a crucible?

[@tootarded4tv809]

Just to let you know, I melt little copper ingot with Map gas only. You just need to make a cave. Contain some of the heat. But it works for sure

[@tomwaite7332]

You saved me a load of time and money . Thanks man for this video .

[@limehuzki]

Always thought the poor man's crucible was a tin from canned fruit lined with blazeware (twice fired pottery clay)

[@dennishinkle5010]

The heat has to be more intense. That's a good experiment.

[@BatColonyEvictor]

Super cool! I was really hoping that it would work out, but great video and information regardless.

[@randystone6781]

Experimenting is how we learn. Great effort!!! ♥️☮️To you all...

[@MagnusNovara]

What respirator do you use? Do you recommend it?

[@jamescates9771]

If you get into making different bars or coins it may be neat to have a variety of metals. When you are out dumpster diving just take the tabs off the soda cans you come across. You would be surprised how quickly it will amount up to fill your little crucible. The tabs are better to do than the cans, much cleaner. Also you being in a garage you may want to try some old wheel weights for lead. Just some thoughts. Good videos, keep them coming. Blessings

[@ninjamom1602]

I have a large amount of outdated electrical bags (construction black bag full). I started stripping the wiring to make copper jewelry to sale. Wanted to see what it takes to melt. These things are everywhere, just gotta look 💚

[@robinwheatley450]

Good stuff, I saw another video where he had cover over top of crucible to stop heat escaping it worked, he slid burner between lid and pot.

[@jamesduffey4442]

You need a rosebud tip on a oxy acetylene torch

[@bobbarker5884]

Thank you! I appreciate your experiment sir!

[@ratdetecting4780]

Had the same problem with a home made furnace. You need consistant heat. Brass is a lot easier. Another great vid

[@Freeisbetter86]

Cool, thanks will have to try brass :)

[@kienlaeytgaming5248]

It's usefull information for anyone who want to melt copper. Thank you sir..🙏🙏

[@wastedorion]

Thank you. I was considering trying that myself. I shall not. You had a result from your experiment. Fail is an outcome greatly appreciated by me. All the best with the next stage. I am also looking forward to having the money to purchase a kiln of some sort.

[@blaqwize1103]

Nice 1 brother! Informative: yes. Entertaining: well, you are!

[@madmattsbucketlist385]

Hi both, this is a good example as you said in your video, of trying things. Tips & tricks I call it for fellow scrappers. Some work, some don't. As you said you don't know until you try. All helps the scrapping community, plus if somebody knows an answer to what you are trying, they'll leave a comment or film a video. Great video as always.

[@johnmuffy2848]

i melt my non-ferrous metals in one of those crucibles. hold the torch up side down, and start with smaller batches. Dual gas torches are definately easyer, but a single gas can do it. Just hold it in an upside down position and if you can cover the melt, it also goes faster.

[@robertthompson5908]

Excellent video! I’m just learning about this stuff so this was very useful.

[@whitebeard420]

Bro, where are you getting this big ol crucible? Also I have been trying to alloy copper and aluminum and I'm using a little crappy ceramic crucible and the metal is like.... disappearing? I have no clue where it's at, it isent in the crucible, it didnt go through the bottom or anything. I'm using oxygen acetylene torch, do you have any clue where or what I'm doing wrong? I was trying to do a sand cast with the alloy, but couldnt get it to form or pour.

[@familyofthenorth7593]

Thanks for taking the time so I didn’t. I was thinking about doing this same test. I really appreciate it!

[@Nathan1125]

I literally just looked up if a torch can melt copper lol thank you for the video

[@johnbiondo6706]

Copper dissipates heat too quickly for this method to be effective. A furnace will do it tho.

[@JeffJeffers0n]

This is the answer I was looking for, wondering why it didn't work and this offers insight

[@vantajmnextajm2402]

@@JeffJeffers0n I think if crucible was wrapped in Smtg heat insulating it would have a chance.

[@rlcuda]

I just melted copper tubing with map and it was really pretty watching it collapse. Green flames and sizzling orange. It didn't take very long. Then it stuck to the crucible and won't flow. Yes, the crucible was seasoned. I guess the crucible was not hot enough even though I warmed it..

[@johnn3542]

Seems similar to my attempt. I could melt small amounts but they basically solidified shortly after melting.

[@majorkramer]

Did you try wired copper? Just wondering if that would work rather than pipes?

[@MmmHuggles]

This reminds me of the time I got bored and had a "torch lighter" and a copper penny. Put the copper penny on a brick and hit it with the lighter not expecting it to melt, but it ended up melting. Probably wasn't the safest idea or thing to do, but hey, I found out it could melt it.

[@gettin501Crunk]

I just tried this myself and found your video just to confirm its not possible. Thanks for the video

[@shawnp3652]

Does mao gas burn hotter then propane?

[@ScrapRushUK]

Oh well some you win and some you loose. Great video though, looking forward to watching some more.

[@JeffJeffers0n]

I'm confused by this, copper has a melting point of 1983oC, which is only slightly higher than gold which is 1945oC. Mapp Gas is able to reach a temperature up to around 2925oC in an oxygen environment. I've seen gold melted using a blowtorch many times (mostly by sreetips). Does the extra 38oC make so much of a difference that it's not possible, and if so why is Mapp Gas claiming to reach a temperature of 1000oC higher and still not be able to melt it? Fair play to you for trying, but something is amis here 🤔

[@stevenmarin2316]

That a regular flame tip n u need the swirl tip to get it burning that hot

[@JeffJeffers0n]

@@stevenmarin2316 what's a swirl tip? I have a massive box of copper and a mapp torch thing, can I adapt my regular flame into this swirl thing you speak of and melt my copper?

[@JeffJeffers0n]

Actually I just worked out what you mean, like in a furnace when the flame swirls round the crucible.

[@Packaroo]

Surround the crucible with a few fire bricks to concentrate the heat on the copper. Add borax when it is red hot.

[@AlexB-wj6rg]

Love that Record vise, have the same exact one in my shop!

[@rudrakshaspj]

THANK YOU SO MUCH 👍👍👍..PEACE...

[@irishgoldstacker8018]

Now we know I suppose. Good video 👍

[@shenyathewelder9695]

This shows you can use a crucible and tortch for copper/bronze smithing, though not casting. This is still very valuable information, at least to me.

[@copperkingrecycling634]

Doesn't like you've posted for a few months. I hope everything is good and all is well. Cool video. Good to know.

[@hoodlumgamer]

Would it work with 2 torches burning at the same time or is that a no aswell

[@Zach-sg5uu]

Maybe it would work if you were to get your hands on some true Map gas!! It’s pretty rare. Maybe somebody would have it on eBay? It might be kind of expensive.

[@remigiuszdarmach4233]

I actually tried this before watching your video and I was somewhat succesfull. I managed to make really small bars (around the size of thumbnail and half centimeter thicc). I did it using only gas blow torch. Other important thing is that I only melted wires and I used a really small crucible and I had similar problems that you had: It was hard to melt this copper and to take it out of crucible. I tried to make a one big nugget and on top it was nice but when I managed to take it out of crucible it turned out that wires on bottom didnt melt. If you guys want I can post video presenting those nuggets.

[@karthik20187]

Can you suggest me something easy!! I just want to melt 10 grams of copper for my experiments.

[@remigiuszdarmach4233]

@@karthik20187 So I weighted the bars I made for you. And yes 10 grams is totally possible, my bars range from 3,5 to 15(!) Grams. The one that didn't melt completely (unmelted wires on bottom) is 19 grams. Use little pieces of copper. It's way easier to melt tiny thin wires than the thick ones. You can even use copper shavings.

[@karthik20187]

@@remigiuszdarmach4233 Thanks for the calculation. Is Mapp gas the only option??!

[@remigiuszdarmach4233]

@@karthik20187 Uh, I didn't use map gas. I used small butane torch. If you can you should use liquid fuel torch (I dont have one but I saw one melting bronze easly) I believe its the best tool for the job.

[@karthik20187]

@@remigiuszdarmach4233 Perfect.. That's wonderful of you to do it with butane. It makes me feel the same. Maybe a liquid fuel torch works coolest. And maybe I can get, used oil for a very cheap price locally. Mapp gas generates more heat than butane. I can get Mapp gas or liquid fuel easily without any problem, so either of them would be a better choice for me..

[@conorharford5117]

Hi Sean when you get your little furnace don't run it to long. I did and now it trips out when I have it to high for copper. I can still melt brass with it though

[@mlnfish]

thanks. you saved me a lot of time

[@ascendantindigo271]

Dude...The thinner copper strands will reach the melting point quick. You used a blow torch on the densest 1 ounce pieces of copper you had. If you don't even try to use the strands then we need a refresher course in Thermal Dynamics.

[@Lehtola89]

Kudos for bringing up safety

[@wscamel226]

could it possibly work with oxy-acetaline?

[@jimmatrix7244]

How did you do that crucible?

[@lost_demented]

Thank you for the attempt

[@nathanzech364]

I tried using both map gas, and an oxy- acetylene torch. And could not get my copper to melt.

[@ascendantindigo271]

Perhaps a dash of pyrite would be the extra heat you need to reach the melting point ?

[@giorgiomoretto6392]

Costruisci una vera forgia ci metti il crogiuolo in grafite la alimenti con gpl e vedrai che successi molti tutorial su yt

[@Frank-ih9ew]

Definitely not a fail… just a result of an experiment. Thx, I was thinking about trying the same thing. Will try another approach now. :-)

[@salvatorecristiano2030]

Wonderful video, can i ask you (or everyone who knows) what kind kt blowtorch is used in the video? Because i would like to buy one and I've got no clue

[@JeffJeffers0n]

If you search for mapp gas or propane torch you'll find a load of very similar products to the one used in this video. There is a few leading brands, I forget their names now but they're all generally pretty similar anyhow, only thing I'd advise is to get one with the flame ignition button built in, as some of them don't have it and would imagine it being a pain in the arse having to use an external lighter everything you use it.

[@ChrisCooper-k2e]

I currently have a crucible with a ton of almost melted copper welded to the bottom after trying this a while back

[@charlotteprivate6136]

I've melted thin copper wire with a blowtorch. If you cutter wire up into small pieces, they may melt in a crucible.

[@nateallen1769]

Can you try brass next??

[@fieldmarshaljoe]

What about 0.5 mm / 1.5mm cobble wire?

[@vahagnmelikyan2906]

Use borax, soda ash flux. It helps to reduce the melting temperature.

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

You probably learn more from a fail than a success! Nice vid :)

[@tghodosko7259]

Thanks, brother I was wondering.

[@purnasaikia818]

Thank u for the test done

[@bradwallace6222]

Thanks bro. Good info.

[@ericbullock7355]

This is an awesome video. The scientific method at its best.

[@securityrobot]

It’s a tough nut to crack , after all coating quality pots and pans with Copper to withstand the usage, makes it the go to material.

[@CosmicJib]

A bigger torch head might work, it’s funny because I have that same torch head for soldering copper pipe and learned that does matter😢

[@gregoryone90]

Drill a hole in the base of a crucible insert steel pipe, attach blowtorch to it. Make lid with small hole and that will do it. All of your heat is escaping. Derp

[@wozzajayscrapping9056]

Nice experiment.👍 If you don't try, you will never know.

[@darvad77frimml69]

Get some ceramic fiber glass insulation and put it over the crucible like a roof to keep the heat in! Or, hook up a blower to your compressor and throw some air in with the torch!

[@Lavabo-Quebec]

Ive used a shopvac pushing air in a metal pipe with propane

[@chrisvalliere1180]

Finally somebody showing the honest truth

[@majorkramer]

What about thin wired copper?

[@eddie-sofiacarnes6626]

Use two torches, it worked for me but it cools down to fast to pour into mold.

[@steelisthemeal]

Just thinking of guys

[@Cheef2k]

Great video thank you for the information bro

[@Intertracer]

Any clue why this works with gold but not copper, with almost identical melting point?

[@savagelybearded1015]

If you just held a brick over most the top it would have melted.. I'll bet you a 10,000 dollars

[@spocker22]

Yeah needs anoxic environment

[@wscamel226]

Why there were a green flames????

[@OriginalNethead]

No joy in Mudville. The Mighty Melter has struck out.(LOL) Oh well. It was worth a shot. It can be done with a home setup, but you need an actual propane crucible.

[@1948tedebear]

It can be done with a cutting torch or welding torch, the map gas needs to have O2 added like when you have their map gas welding outfit, as it is about 50+ degrees above gold, but not all copper is pure and the many are alloys to harden it, changing the melting temp. I WOULD NOT advise doing it as Pops and slashes easily. ******But CAUTION using a TORCH it does pop and splash.***** a smelting furnace is the safest way to melt copper and to pull off impurities add borax. One more thing there are people who think it is funny to melt fully copper alloy pennies prior to 1983 (then after "82" they are only plated) but I must remind you it is illegal to melt US coinage the last time I checked, and they want to make examples of Conservatives (the group most likely to deal with smelting and forging) so if the shoe fits, DON'T!

[@Jaymobe07]

its not illegal to melt the coin. Its illegal if you try to pass it off as something it isnt or if you are selling to make a profit. It's perfectly okay to melt the coin for personal use.