Copper Bangle

Metalwork Jewelry

Posted by Ryland Peters & Small

About

The ideal design for the man in your life, this heavy copper bangle features wrapped wire, a washer, and imitation rivets so it couldn’t be more masculine. However, the simple design is also very stylish and effective and will be sure to catch the eye of the most sophisticated man-about-town.

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You Will Need (19 things)

  • 8in. (20cm) of 1⁄4in. (5mm Copper tubing
  • Hammer
  • Bench Block
  • Files
  • Center Punch
  • Drill
  • Four small Screw(s)
  • Cutting disk for mini- Drill or industrial wire cutters
  • Bracelet Mandrel
  • 3⁄4in. (7.5mm) Copper Washer
  • Butane Torch
  • Pickle Solution
  • 1⁄16in. (1mm) WireForm® Aluminum Wire
  • Solder
  • Flux
  • Firebrick
  • Round Nose Pliers
  • Bail Making Pliers
  • Liver Of Sulfur solution

Steps (11 steps, 120 minutes)

  1. 1

    Hammer both ends of the copper tubing flat and then round off the ends neatly with a file.

  2. 2

    Drill two holes in line with each other through one of the flattened ends. Repeat at the other end of the tubing.

  3. 3

    Insert a very tiny screw into each of the four drilled holes in the tubing.

  4. 4

    Cut off any excess length of screw on the reverse side, so that the ends are flush with the surface. Use eye protection when using the cutting disk.

  5. 5

    Hammer the end of each screw on the reverse side to flatten it slightly and prevent it from falling out.

  6. 6

    File off any burrs so that the reverse of the bracelet is smooth.

  7. 7

    Shape the tubing into a bracelet with your hands, bringing the ends together and overlapping them by the diameter of the washer. Use the bracelet mandrel to achieve the size if necessary.

  8. 8

    Anneal the washer with the butane torch.

  9. 9

    Drop the washer into the pickle solution. Remove and hammer the surface to texture it. Drill a series of holes around the washer. Place a short length of aluminum wire in each hole and hammer flat to create the look of rivets.

  10. 10

    Set the washer between the two ends of the bracelet. Apply flux to the areas and add solder chips. Heat with the torch to solder. Pickle the bracelet to clean it up again.

  11. 11

    Wrap a length of aluminum wire around the back section of the bracelet for extra embellishment. Reshape the around the mandrel, if necessary. Apply some liver of sulfur to highlight the textured areas.

    Tip The sizes given will create a bracelet to fit a standard 7-in. (17.5-cm) wrist—use a longer piece of tubing for a larger wrist, or a shorter piece for a smaller one.