Replies

1. 
   RW | Dec 07, 2002 04:34am | #1

   I thought FWW did an article on how to make your own copper pulls a while back but my search didn't turn it up. It did list issue #121 as showing how to antique them once you made them. Since that didn't pan out, were I in your shoes, I'd go to a local metal supplier to try to find out what kind of copper is available through them. For the pulls, you basically only need sheet stock for the backs and rod for the bails. The texture is all done by hammer. You would likely want to invest in some metal working hammers which don't tend to be on the cheap side, and a small horn anvil to bend over. While I don't know the chemical composition, aging solutions aren't too hard to find and some run of the mill crafts stores even carry that sort of thing. I've bought metal working tools from Travers before and their line is extensive.

   Hoping others have a little more insight . . .

2. 
   rslatm | Dec 07, 2002 08:24pm | #2

   Liver of sulphur will turn it brown while fuming with ammonia will turn it green.

   http://www.dickblick.com/zz605/05/products.asp?param=0&ig_id=2386

   $2.69 for a 4 ox bottle

   gesswein.com also has it but it's in the powdered form for $15

   You could also do a google.com search but what you are trying to do is fairly simple. Search for patinas

   Rick

3. 
   cheakamus | Dec 08, 2002 07:35am | #3

   Hi Sbaia,

   The best book on the subject that I know of is The Complete Metalsmith, by Tim McCreight. You might also want to check out the section on "Pickle plating." Basically, its an easy way to copper plate brass. You buy cheap Stickley knockoffs from Taiwan--the nasty, shiny ones that cost about $5--pickle plate them so they have a copper surface, then patinate the surface. Liver of sulpher is an easy patina. You can get the same or very similar effect using Lilly-Miller dormant spray (it's also cheaper). Use warm water with a dash of liquid dishwashing detergent and dip the object several times, washing off between times, to add several thin layers of patina (it will wear better). Finish off with a coat of Johnson floor wax or some other paste wax.

   I hate to say this, but the last time I was in my local hardware store, I saw some Taiwan knockoffs already "antiqued" for about $7, so you might want to look around for them. I haven't seen hinges that match however, so you may still want to try the process on them.

   BTW, I made my own drawer pulls at first, and even got into "raising" copper vessels from sheet metal, but it was such a time consuming process that I gave it up. Hope to get back to it one of these days.

   Good luck,

   John

1. 
   Sbaia | Dec 09, 2002 09:50pm | #4

   Cheakamus,

   thanks for the info.  I'm going to try making them from scratch first, but I've saved your advise for the Patina.  If/when I finish, I'll put a photo on the site.

   Steve

1. 
   cheakamus | Dec 13, 2002 02:35am | #5

   Hi Steve,

   Good for you! The ones I made (my first metal project) look great, and the patina (after 6-7 years' use) still is holding up. Do get hold of the McCreight book--you'll find it interesting in all sorts of ways. Who knows, you may be inspired to try your hand at more difficult projects (mine, if I ever get around to it, is to make decorative, "gothic"-style strap hinges--and to finish a Van Erp-style lamp whose base is already done).

   Regards,

   John