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Scrap copper from a steam loco - a weird request

Discussion in 'Steam Traction' started by DismalChips, Mar 1, 2020.

  1. DismalChips

    DismalChips Member

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    Mods, feel free to move this if there's a more appropriate location for it.

    This is a bit of an odd request but I figure there's no harm in asking.

    Are there any loco owning groups or organisations out there that have a few grams of scrap copper they would be willing to sell me? Ideally from a firebox (it being sort of the heart of a locomotive) but ultimately anywhere will do.

    I'm getting married in August and I always wanted a copper wedding ring. I met a jeweller at a party last night who specialises in working with reclaimed copper and the idea hit me about having a ring made from a bit of steam loco.

    Any leads would be appreciated. I was thinking costs + delivery + a donation to the work of the group.
     
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  2. D1039

    D1039 Guest

    Just a thought, isn't firebox material deanodised arsenical copper and is that suitable to be worn and, as important, worked by a jeweller.

    (No idea, but it's worth checking)

    Patrick
     
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  3. johnofwessex

    johnofwessex Resident of Nat Pres

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    Well, congratulations anyway.

    I am sure that there must be plenty of suitable copper elsewhere on a locomotive
     
  4. DismalChips

    DismalChips Member

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    It occurred to me that there may be some issue like this. One of the reasons I asked a forum, as it's full of people who know things I don't.
     
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  5. Flying Phil

    Flying Phil Part of the furniture

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    I have a short length of copper pipe that has been attached to a pressure gauge that I have had since 1965. PM me if you want a couple of inches...
     
  6. Footbridge

    Footbridge Member

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    Copper will make your finger green and is soft so will distort easily.
    Maybe bronze would be more suitable, although maybe not for wearing daily.
     
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  7. RalphW

    RalphW Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Administrator Friend

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    How is it then that you can wear a copper bracelet without your wrist going green?
     
  8. guycarr360

    guycarr360 Part of the furniture

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    Mine did until a build up of grime covered it!!!
     
  9. mdewell

    mdewell Well-Known Member Friend

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    On your wrist or the bracelet? :)
     
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  10. guycarr360

    guycarr360 Part of the furniture

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    Ha, Both!!
     
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  11. Sheff

    Sheff Resident of Nat Pres

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    My copper bracelet certainly turned my wrist green, particularly when I got a sweat on


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  12. NeilL

    NeilL Well-Known Member

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    Not often then !
     
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  13. Fireline

    Fireline Well-Known Member

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    I didn't realise this was THAT kind of forum....:eek:
     
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  14. Martin Perry

    Martin Perry Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator Friend

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    Green wrist syndrome too ... not a problem being a Plymouth Argyle fan :)
     
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  15. Flying Phil

    Flying Phil Part of the furniture

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    Well the OP did say it was " an odd request"!.......:rolleyes:
     
  16. 60017

    60017 Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    Don't you mean THE Plymouth Argyle fan? :D;)
     
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  17. martin1656

    martin1656 Nat Pres stalwart Friend

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    To much information :eek:, serious question, copper is a soft metal, whilst I know copper is said to have some medical benefits, are there any known adverse effects from wearing copper bands and bracelets?
     
  18. Steve

    Steve Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    Well the GWR obviously thought it had benefits as they put it round their chimneys.

    Sorry, that's not a serious answer to your question.:)
     
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  19. jnc

    jnc Well-Known Member

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    Well, there's this (not exactly on point, but it is about copper and biology).

    Noel
     
  20. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    I suspect the significant issue might be that copper is considerably less inert than gold. So it will tarnish in air over time, and you'll need to spend considerable time cleaning it.

    The other issue would be stability against certain household chemicals - ammonia would be one, found in some household cleaners - it will dissolve the green tarnish of copper oxide, which at one level will clean up the copper back to bright metal, but prolonged exposure might gradually erode the metal away. By contrast, there is practically nothing that you would find in a typical household that will have any effect on gold.

    Tom
     
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