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How to Cut Float Copper

Float copper, though widely available in the Great Lakes region of the United States, is difficult to cut without specialized machinery. Individuals seeking a challenge can use traditional methods of alternating heat and cold used by metalsmiths to prepare float copper for cutting to a desired size with a hammer and chisel. It is important to wear heavy-duty gloves and protective goggles when chiseling float copper to avoid blisters and eye injury from flying rock fragments.

Kiln
Chisel
Hammer
Cold water

Instructions

- 1
  Fire the float copper in a kiln at full blast and set to 1000 degrees Fahrenheit. Adjust settings so the temperature will rise to 1500 degrees in 100-degree increments and hold at 1500 degrees for three hours. Monitor kiln temperature carefully to achieve maximum malleability without liquefying the copper sample.
- 2
  Remove float copper from the fire and douse in cold water. It is important to move quickly because the temperature instability will make the copper more malleable for only a short time before the temperature stabilizes and the copper hardens again.
- 3
  Set a chisel at the intended point of breakage and swing a hammer repeatedly against the chisel to break off unwanted sections.
- 4
  Repeat the firing, cooling and chiseling processes as required to cut the float copper sample to size.

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