Hi All,
I’m bidding on a job where I will be working with 3′ x 10′ 12oz. copper sheets (~.020 thickness). I am trying to determine if this material can be cut using a router. I spoke with someone who has used a 3 flute bit on aluminum, but had heating issues. I need to be able to follow the shape of the wood substrate the copper will be mounted to. This is the same job I posted about using an adhesive for copper. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Chris
Replies
a router can be used on copper, i have taken apiece and used a flush trimbit wit my porter cable 2 h.p. router it was an amana 1/2" flush cutter w/ bearing w/1/2" shank. the key is to sand wich the piece if that possible than rout it . i scored th e bottom also for just in case dont think it helped but..... what the hell. i dont the application of routing so sandwiching it is up to you.... i used a 2 1/2 " on the bottom 7 " on top to accomidate the base. put some petrolium jelly on the base very thin layer. then let it slide. works like formica, corian kind of..... good luck...al
Copper is not much fun to machine. It's very gummy feeling. It work hardens. It expands with the heat of cutting. I've dealt with it on the vertical mill, lathe, and drill press.
Especially with this extremely thin material, the sandwich idea is a good thing to try. But on stuff that thin, perhaps ordinary scissors would work. Or maybe an X-acto knife. Certainly sheet metal shears would do the job. Test a few techniques, I think you'll find something easier than the router.
And watch out for those edges. 16 and 32 oz. copper is like working with razor blades. I'd expect 12 oz. to be worse. Have the band-aids handy until you get used to dealing with sheet copper.
-- J.S.