Copper BB's

[Jstorm]

I've had luck with 3 ft of solid 12 Guage copper wire cut into small pieces (1/4" or less) with soapy water.


FYI- A makeshift tumbler can be easily made from an old printer..

Thank you Sir!

 

[Dogo]

When I started tumbling I used lead shot with poor results. Chopped copper seemed to work a lot better. My theory is that the round shot or BBs are not as abrasive as the sharp edges of the copper. The copper does lose effectiveness over time.

 

[Jstorm]

When I started tumbling I used lead shot with poor results. Chopped copper seemed to work a lot better. My theory is that the round shot or BBs are not as abrasive as the sharp edges of the copper. The copper does lose effectiveness over time.

Yes I thought of that when RobbyBobby made his comment. I have been working with BBs and copper pieces. A lot of cutting! Lol

 

[ROBBYBOBBY64]

Here is the copper I use. It is free and I am cheap. I get all different thicknesses of copper. Cut it up and your good to go. Very hard to cut the 1/4" copper rod.
ROBBYBOBBY64.

 

[Newtothiss]

Here is the copper I use. It is free and I am cheap. I get all different thicknesses of copper. Cut it up and your good to go. Very hard to cut the 1/4" copper rod.
ROBBYBOBBY64.

Romex and linemans

 

[Jstorm]

Romex and linemans

Thanks I think you sent that me a while back. Thanks for the pics RobbyBobby

 

[willong]

Yes I thought of that when RobbyBobby made his comment. I have been working with BBs and copper pieces. A lot of cutting! Lol

I'm an old fart; so, might not be remembering correctly. I seem to recall that a member here once posted pictures and description of DIY tooling he developed to cut copper wire to short, uniform bits for tumbling use. It used a die that he would feed the wire through, that a powered cutter (operated by a power drill, I think) would then stop at the desired protrusion before shearing it away.

I don't have the time to search for the thread right now, or to describe how I would build a similar device. However, I suggest it might be worth your time to search for that thread, and perhaps refresh it with a comment so that it comes up as more recent for others who, like you, weary of snipping wire by hand with dikes (diagonal pliers for the politically sensitive these days).

 

[Jstorm]

I'm an old fart; so, might not be remembering correctly. I seem to recall that a member here once posted pictures and description of DIY tooling he developed to cut copper wire to short, uniform bits for tumbling use. It used a die that he would feed the wire through, that a powered cutter (operated by a power drill, I think) would then stop at the desired protrusion before shearing it away.

I don't have the time to search for the thread right now, or to describe how I would build a similar device. However, I suggest it might be worth your time to search for that thread, and perhaps refresh it with a comment so that it comes up as more recent for others who, like you, weary of snipping wire by hand with dikes (diagonal pliers for the politically sensitive these days).

I'm an old fart; so, might not be remembering correctly. I seem to recall that a member here once posted pictures and description of DIY tooling he developed to cut copper wire to short, uniform bits for tumbling use. It used a die that he would feed the wire through, that a powered cutter (operated by a power drill, I think) would then stop at the desired protrusion before shearing it away.

I don't have the time to search for the thread right now, or to describe how I would build a similar device. However, I suggest it might be worth your time to search for that thread, and perhaps refresh it with a comment so that it comes up as more recent for others who, like you, weary of snipping wire by hand with dikes (diagonal pliers for the politically sensitive these days).

Yeah I'm an old fart to. Not lazy. Just old. If I can make it easier, I'm in! Thanks

 

[embe]

I'm an old fart; so, might not be remembering correctly. I seem to recall that a member here once posted pictures and description of DIY tooling he developed to cut copper wire to short, uniform bits for tumbling use. It used a die that he would feed the wire through, that a powered cutter (operated by a power drill, I think) would then stop at the desired protrusion before shearing it away.

I don't have the time to search for the thread right now, or to describe how I would build a similar device. However, I suggest it might be worth your time to search for that thread, and perhaps refresh it with a comment so that it comes up as more recent for others who, like you, weary of snipping wire by hand with dikes (diagonal pliers for the politically sensitive these days).

Try this

Is there a better way to cut copper wire?

So I managed to score a bunch of copper wire while dumpster diving. It's definately not as much as I need but it will get me started. Does anyone know of an efficient, quick way of cutting it up into little bits? I've been doing it with wire cutters (good ones) and it seems like it is going to...

www.antique-bottles.net

 

[willong]

When I started tumbling I used lead shot with poor results. Chopped copper seemed to work a lot better. My theory is that the round shot or BBs are not as abrasive as the sharp edges of the copper. The copper does lose effectiveness over time.

Your theory is correct.

Even people who do a lot of sand blasting see the same effect if they reuse their blasting media multiple times.