cutting copper

[Johnny Bottles]

Cut enough copper today to switch over from glass beads. Hoping this will speed the process up

 

[LC]

What is that you are using to cut the copper with, would like to cut some myself, been cutting copper with a pair of cutters, and it really sucks, too slow a pace.

 

[idigjars]

Hello Johnny, thanks for sharing the pic. Are you cutting single strands? I tried chopping stranded ground type wire and it worked pretty good for awhile until I think the bit got dull. Are you using a special type of drill bit? Is the center hole 1/2" diameter, or larger? Please let me know. Thank you and good luck with your cleaning project. Here is a pic of my chopper, the center hole is 1/2". Paul

 

[Johnny Bottles]

Hi LC, I took a piece of steel stock & drilled a hole through the top. Then drilled a intersecting hole on the face to feed the wire into the drill bit. It will cut the wire as fast as you can feed it through.

 

[Johnny Bottles]

Hi Paul, I drilled the top hole 13/32 but anywhere between 3/8 and 7/16 should be good for 12 gauge wire. I used only soild wire.

 

[Johnny Bottles]

I forgot to mention I drilled a 1/8 hole in the faceto feed the wire through

 

[idigjars]

Thank you for the info Johnny. Paul

 

[LC]

Thanks much Johnny, will try this out first chance I get. This is another thing I truly lie about his site, no one is afraid to share information with others.

 

[Haldy]

Johnny:

Where and how does the cut copper exit the steel stock?

Dennis

 

[Johnny Bottles]

Hi Dennis, The copper chips discharge out the top in the fluting of the drill bit. The pieces fling in the air a little,so I set a drop cloth under my bench model to catch the chips. Hope this helps.