Making Copper Leaves

[@peteblairakathemadscientist]

I completely understand I am in my late 70's and I never seem to have enough time. I have only watched the on so far but will am now subscribed and will watch the other two. I love your approach and openness and look forward to seeing the other two and hopefully even more!!

[@kellygarner4041]

Love your videos! Very informative and easy to listen to. A lot of other people like to ramble and/or repeat themselves a lot but I like the fact that you get straight to the point. Thank you for that lol

[@JoshuaFinancialPL]

2020 hope you are well. Sorry you weren't able to continue these videos. Your work is amazing.

[@buddyholmes6317]

I want to do some more but I keep getting distracted by work and such. Any particular skill or technique that you might like to see discussed?

[@JoshuaFinancialPL]

@@buddyholmes6317So glad you are OK it sounds. I would happily go through your entire series you mentioned wanting to build and do the projects. I came to you through a search for flame painting copper. I'm doing a bit of trim on one of my fireplaces and wanted to hand hammer then flame color. But seriously - if you just get 25 more subscribers and then put up a time lapse of that magnificent crane you would probably get enough viewing hours to monetize your channel with ad sense. At that point, putting up your videos would create an annuity so it would be worthwhile financially to try to carve out a few hours a week to make a video. especially now. there are a lot of people looking for a distraction and you offer a positive, healthy, low-cost hobby that adds beauty to the world.

[@RCBOSS1969]

Thank you!

[@janedwyer3945]

Excellent teacher....covers everything from A-Z, explaining everything really well without being boring! Thank you!

[@waterfallforge8320]

Thanks. I need to get some more up. How about Making a copper birdfeeder? Do you think anyone would be interested?

[@rickbailey7183]

@@waterfallforge8320 I think whatever you do people will be interested in. Thanks for sharing your skills with future generations.

[@waterfallforge8320]

@@rickbailey7183 Thanks. I've been trying to get some time to do more, so they may end up being a little shorter but hopefully useful for folks.

[@J4Julz]

Really enjoying your videos. I hope that you will continue to make more for us! I have had so many copper ideas floating around in my head for the last 20+ years, and am finally getting around to making them. Thank you for sharing your craft

[@waterfallforge8320]

Julie, get them out of your head and into reality! No time like the present.

[@ronstauffer9981]

another great video. THANKS!

[@RICDirector]

Great lecture, loving it. Hoping you are well and thriving!

[@buddyholmes6317]

Thanks. I am well and the dog's fed.

[@roberts4411]

Great video I have wanted to play with copper my whole life. Now semi retired I have ideas but needed to learn the shill of it abd don’t have 20 years to do it so I have been looking for a good teacher. Your it. After watching many others your it period Can’t wait to look at your other videos Thanks

[@waterfallforge8320]

Thanks. I will try to get back to it soon. Always feel free to ask any questions you may have.

[@peteblairakathemadscientist]

Just found you and have just started working with copper. Love the pace and detail of this video.

[@waterfallforge8320]

Thanks. I have been trying to work some time in to make more videos but too busy and old to get everything done. Hopefully I can do some soon.

[@ruthquinn6286]

Super video. Looking forward to finding more from you.

[@rickbailey7183]

Wow, how informative! Looking forward to the next video.

[@kirtandrews1859]

Oh my gosh that is absolutely gorgeous stunning id love to be able to make one leaf let alone a tree.

[@buddyholmes6317]

Kirt, all it takes is a good effort, then another. It won't take you long.

[@kirtandrews1859]

@buddyholmes6317 try try and try again I guess. I'm total brand new but I have a passion deep inside for metal jewellery and decor. So ice bought everything you can think off I just need to get out there grsba. Sheet and get creative. Going to try a small lead soon. If it fails I'm sure I'll be able to turn into pendant for myself Thanx so much for replying appreciated

[@buddyholmes6317]

@@kirtandrews1859 Just work at it. The first ones always look a little off, but the next ones are almost always a little better. Good luck.

[@kirtandrews1859]

@buddyholmes6317 Thank you determination is going to be key for me and perseverance and patience il get there i just gotta find my confidence. Ci am totally brand new I have spent a heck of a lot of money and I guess just scared to waste costly materials

[@kirtandrews1859]

@buddyholmes6317 yes exactly it's commitment and confidence . I'm trying very basic to begin with. I shall message when I have completed one item good enough to show you.

[@jimpigott9867]

Great idea Buddy, looking forward to more.

[@myconditions]

You are a great presenter- thanks for the helpful video

[@spraycanart72]

Thanks! Looking forward to future videos.

[@joeheller007]

Great video, hope to see more vids, a pipefitter by trade and was looking for something like this.

[@waterfallforge8320]

I have been remiss in making videos. I plan on doing more within the next few weeks. Check back. Been real busy lately. Thanks

[@richardgaudet7620]

When you get time, could you do a video on making a fluted fountain basin for a table . Thanks!

[@buddyholmes6317]

Time. That's the kicker. I'll try to get one done soon though, I had someone else ask the same thing last week.

[@rorycurtis7591]

Hey! Great videos. You sir are a wealth of knowledge. Are you still creating fountains? Would love to learn more.

[@abruptlyblunt]

in the past 13 years i've done 100's of metal related searches with probably over half being cooper flower related and yet this is the first time this video has come up and it wasn't even in a search....

[@buddyholmes6317]

I know, that's the algorithm on KZbin. Mainly my fault for not posting more so the alg could pick up on them. We are going to start posting more in a few months, so stay tuned. thanks

[@lindacampanella383]

thank you for your videos. i wish you continued with more. you mentioned the ph down chlorine to clean but i can not find your measurements on how that is done. could you share that. hope you are doing well

[@buddyholmes6317]

Linda, I wish I had the time but things are so strange now. I just had to wait two months for a pallet of copper sheets. I used to be able to get it in two days. It's PH Down, you can get it at Walmart or most big box stores. Not chlorine! Never never. Sodium bisulfate. It's fairly benign, so you can experiment for what works for you. I use one two lb pouch in about one hundred gallons. Try maybe a cup in a 5 gallon plastic pail. Stir with wood or plastic, not metal. If temperature is above 70 degrees F, it should work within an hour or so. Cooler temps take longer. You can always add more PH Down to make it stronger/faster. Rinse really well when you're done. Buddy

[@lindacampanella383]

Thank you so much for your quick reply. You make great videos. Thank you for doing the ones you did. I realize it’s a pin i he behind to do them, edit etc. Let’s pray product supply can get back to normal.

[@colinporter9028]

That was great, thanks, and sorry didn't mean to tap the thumb down button. Hope to check out more

[@waterfallforge8320]

No problem. I'm sure you were commenting on my appearance rather than the content.

[@BOYSWILLBEBOYS2010]

Thank you sir.

[@waterfallforge8320]

You're welcome

[@azmike1956]

Good stuff partner. I use a cutoff piece of gluelam beam & a couple of railroad spikes for detail work. Also duct work crimpers & nailslot punch & snaplock pliers for different effects. Looking forward to more.

[@nmanrao]

Great Video. How are you hammering the piece without scratching / marring the surface?

[@waterfallforge8320]

Neeraj; For my kind of work, I am not as concerned by small imperfections left by the hammer. If you want a smoother unmarred finish, then polish or smooth out your hammer faces as much as possible and be sure that the "anvil" you are hitting into doesn't have any debris in it and is as smooth as you can get it. That's the good thing about doing organic subjects. Nothing needs to be perfect. thanks

[@nmanrao]

@@waterfallforge8320 Thank for the quick reply. Can you share any of your leaf templates that you have? I'm wrapping up my first fountain and looking for ideas for my next program

[@waterfallforge8320]

@@nmanrao I'm not proprietary with patterns but it is probably better to create your own from plants and trees in your area. All I do when I want a leaf pattern is to go out in my yard, I live in the woods, and grab a few off some trees. Then I just trace the shape and the general vein pattern. By the way; don't try to compete with Mother Nature's complexity; she'll win every time. Just simplify it, but make sure you retain it's character so that folks will still recognize it for what it is. On flowers; go to a crafts store and buy at least two well made silk flowers of the type you might like to have in your fountains. Keep one of the flowers pristine, as a guide to refer to and dissect the other one to get your pattern. Send me a pic of your fountain. Email it to me. Have fun.

[@ladyjrider666]

This is amazing. What thickness copper would you suggest for beginners?

[@buddyholmes6317]

Jane, Most folks start with 16 oz, which is what is used by roofers for flashing and such. It will be he easiest to find. You can buy drops from your local sheetmetal shop and roofers. I use 20 and 24 oz for my standard pieces, heavier, like 32 oz if large custom pieces.

[@ladyjrider666]

@@buddyholmes6317 thank you so much for the detailed reply. I'll have a look! :) your work is amazing. And you explain it really clearly. Thanks for taking the time to make and share your videos.

[@fossidoesmexico4027]

Hey Buddy, I can only find a few of your videos...how many did you end up doing? They are sensational. Thank you so much for your time and skills!

[@waterfallforge8320]

Linda, I have been meaning to get back to making a few more, but I've been busy for a while. I'll make some more soon if I can come up with some ideas. Any suggestions?

[@4sp3nF41r7]

What kind of leaves do you make for making fountains?

[@waterfallforge8320]

Depends on the fountain. Some are just generic and others are oak, maple, magnolia etc. Mostly just what the customer prefers. All copper and bronze for the stems.

[@TheWolfgangfritz]

I'm really glad you are doing tutorials! I want to try this as I have a few ideas and somewhat of a creative bent but so far only with wood. I notice others quenching the heated copper and you didn't. - does it matter? So heat treating steel makes it harder and heat treating copper and brass makes it softer?!

[@waterfallforge8320]

Egon, I do quench my annealed copper in water most of the time. But, whether you quench in water, spray it with a squirt bottle or just set it down and let it cool on its own, the result will be the same. The reason that I quench in water when I'm working is that I probably need that piece right away and I don't relish getting burned. Thanks for the question.

[@dennism5565]

Looking forward to the new videos! Thanks for taking the time to make this one. Do you have a website that offers your work or are you only on commission?

[@waterfallforge8320]

Dennis, I wanted to get another out last week but life conspired against it. You can visit my FB page at waterfall forge or Instagram at waterfall_forge or website at, guess what? Waterfallforge.com. Always feel free to email me if you have questions or suggestions. Thanks

[@fionathompson408]

Great video. What brand is your Nibbler? Thanks.

[@waterfallforge8320]

Fiona, it's been a while. I got it from EBAY. Cost around $50 if I recall. It doesn't have brand marked on it.

[@randydaniels7185]

Thank you

[@janetcook6495]

We have a copper waterfall and want to duplicate it. It is 45" tall by 36" wide. It has many leaves, cattails, and a dragon fly. Located in St. Louis. Can send email with pics.

[@waterfallforge8320]

Janet, visit my website at waterfallforge.com. My email address is on the main page about midway down. Send the pics to that address. thanks

[@flyingsodwai1382]

3:00 hey dog! Why don't you just wander around and do dog things for a minute.