Making a Copper Bracelet - Red Patina 

It's my pleasure. Thanks.

Glad you like this. Thanks for watching.

Hammering on hot copper is a big change from always hammering on hot steel. Give it a go. Thanks.

Maybe I'll make another, similar to my wife's bracelet, using stainless steel. Thanks.

Thanks for watching.

Very interesting... Thanks for watching and sharing.

I'm not even sure how I hit upon the soapy water technique. I know I tired borax and I think that led me to just try other stuff that was on hand. Thanks.

It's my pleasure. Thanks.

I''m very glad you like this one. I'm never exactly sure where these projects are going... Thanks.

It's my pleasure to share. Thanks.

I do believe the somewhat lower temperature did have something to do with it getting closer to red. It's definitely a combination of a lot of factors and I need to experiment more. Thanks.

Ya thats what i came to say. That was so neat to watch. My guess as to whats happening is since there's lots of soap in the water the surface tension is lowered quite a bit. When he drops in the hot bracelet, it forms a skin of steam around itself blocking the water from getting to the metal. Once it cools enough to stop generating enough steam to keep the skin up, it collapses and the water rushes in.

That makes sense. Thank you

Heath Worsley - Keith is right, although I'm not exactly how much of a role the soap makes in the length of the vapor jacket. Without regarding the effect of using soap, it's known as the "Leidenfrost effect" and it's the reason that it's important to at least lightly agitate high carbon/tool steels when quenching them in oil (and even water) to harden them, otherwise they potentially won't cool fast enough to fully harden; plus it can cause uneven cooling and increase the chances of warping, like on knives and swords. The extra long delay here with the copper was definitely cool to watch, I honestly thought the video messed up somehow the first time it happened lol.

@@lsubslimed thank you for taking the time to share some information.

Very excellently explained. Thanks.

Hi, the soap just slows the cooling; creates a barrier around the copper so the water can't immediately cool the copper. This slower cooling leads to different colors / patinas. Give it a try. Thanks for watching.

Thanks for watching.

I did once cast a copper ring in a very rudimentary way and it turned out nice (and I posted a video of that). At any rate, I'll do more experimenting with copper. Thanks and good luck in your work.

Thanks.

I have one made from plaited copper wires. It can leave a green stain on your wrist, particularly on hot days where you may sweat a little. Nothing too serious and it easily washes off.

I'm not exactly sure if this will stain the wearer's arm - need to experiment more... Finafin makes me believe it might. I appreciate you watching.

Thanks for sharing your experience.

From my experience, yes, the patina does help prevent oxidation. Thanks.

I believe the soap is creating a temporary barrier between the water and hot copper. Something like how heavy scale can delay and disrupt the cooling of hot steel. At least that's my theory... Thanks.

I think what GS said is right. What's happening is the soap is acting as a surfactant and not allowing the water to boil until the soapy water that's in contact with the work piece is well over the boiling point of water. the lower surface tension of the water and the increase of the boiling point of the water disrupts the bubbles/gas pocket from forming I use a quenchant of Dish soap, Simple Green, salt, and water; it does much the same thing.

@@garyfetrow8324 I was making soft jaws for my vise just the other day using copper. I quenched in plain rainwater and it had a little delayed reaction and strange sound. Copper is fun to work with. Hard to find scrap around here. Every meth head sees to that!

I want to know too 🤣

That's asking a lot. Maybe I should have left this jewelry thing to those who know better! Thanks for watching.

Copper is a fun change for always hammering on hot steel. Thanks.

Thanks for your support.

I'd say it's the film of soap that would bind to the surface as it enters the water slowly burning off, then allowing the water to hit. Isn't it awesome to watch? So cool!

I was wondering the same, very interesting to watch

My guess as to whats happening is, since there's lots of soap in the water, the surface tension is lowered quite a bit. When he drops in the hot bracelet, it forms a skin of steam around itself blocking the water from getting to the metal. Once it cools enough to stop generating enough steam to keep the skin up, it collapses and the water rushes in.

I've made other copper pieces in this way and they've all resisted oxidizing. My best guess is the soap forms a temporary barrier around the copper, something like forge scale on steel. If you've ever quenched a heavily scaled piece of steel you're probably aware of a delay in the cooling. So I think it's something along this line. Thanks for watching.

I think you're correct. Thanks.

No it's not poisonous to your skin.. I have a copper bracelet on my hands since the last 4 years.. it's good for you health to.. some say it takes off certain amount of heat from your body. And as a mechanical engineer student i can confirm this.

I don't plan on coating this and doubt it will be toxic to skin but some report a green copper oxidation getting on their skin form wearing copper. Thanks for watching.

Good information. I believe certain metals like copper can be beneficial in some ways. Thanks for sharing since I may now try wearing a copper bracelet now and see...

Yes, I've tried borax before but with similar results to the soapy water. Maybe I need to adjust my ratios... Thanks.

I did read your comment on that video but will have to go back and read again. My mind is all over the place these days and I can hardly remember what I ate for dinner the previous night. And I rarely work with copper which makes it easier for me to forget. Thanks for the reminder.

@@gstongs Shudo - as it is called in Japanese sircles - is one of the most elusive and rare forms of Japanese patinas and if you master it, something to behold :) Good luck man love your videos

I cannot find the previous video you are referring to, but would love to know your technique/recipe please.

:D I can insure you, i can too :D it's called practice... You need a good saw and some time... around 3-4 years of everyday sawing off material. Stop using your anglegrinder and use regular no-power tools and you can do some amazing things :)

I'm sure you're being facetious / sarcastic. But then again, I am a hacksaw cutting machine! Thanks for your support.

You're exactly right. I've cut so many metals, mainly steel, with a hacksaw only and this repeated movement leads to surprising results. Thanks.

@@gstongsTongs yep, very impressive skills!