Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Flintknapping => Topic started by: bushman on January 28, 2012, 02:27:09 am

Title: Copper Nails?
Post by: bushman on January 28, 2012, 02:27:09 am

Has anyone ever tried to use some of them 100% pure copper boat nails for pressure flaking?
Bushman

Title: Re: Copper Nails?
Post by: Jimbob on January 28, 2012, 02:39:32 am

I dont know about boat nails but I tried some copper nails that I got from my farrier and they were too flimsy.  As soon as I put any kind of pressure to it, it just bent like a wet noodle.

Title: Re: Copper Nails?
Post by: Jimbob on January 28, 2012, 02:40:01 am

I guess it would depend on the thickness of the nail.

Title: Re: Copper Nails?
Post by: bushman on January 28, 2012, 03:15:35 am

Not sure on thickness but they come up to 3” or 3.5” long. So to drive that into wood I would think it would have to be stiff.
Bushman

Title: Re: Copper Nails?
Post by: Jimbob on January 28, 2012, 04:16:37 am

Only one way to find out. 8)

Title: Re: Copper Nails?
Post by: bubby on January 28, 2012, 07:16:08 am

they sell them at flint knapping tools, well  they sell them at several of the tool suppliers for knappin', Bub

Title: Re: Copper Nails?
Post by: Bone pile on January 28, 2012, 10:34:26 am

If the copper is to soft twist it.I put one end in a vise and grab the other end with a visegrip and give it a few turns and see how much tighter the copper will get
Bone pile

Title: Re: Copper Nails?
Post by: Wolf Watcher on January 28, 2012, 10:56:10 am

I have some pressure flakers designed to hold the small diameter copper nails and use them to do touch ups on the edges of my knives and points.  I use a tree log with padding on top to do the finish work.  Because only a very short point extends beyond the tip of the holder and only short flakes are being removed the nail works great.  The tip has to be kept sharp and that makes the life of the nail also short.  My problem is that I have not been able to find a source to restock. A/Ho Joe

Title: Re: Copper Nails?
Post by: Tower on January 28, 2012, 11:33:27 am

I use copper boat nails & love them. Some are slightly harder than others but nothing wrong with their preformance.

Title: Re: Copper Nails?
Post by: Will H on January 28, 2012, 11:44:40 am

I use the 20 penny copper nails on my ishi stick and hand flaker both. LOVE EM!

Title: Re: Copper Nails?
Post by: bushman on January 28, 2012, 04:09:53 pm

I haven’t got any but in the hardware catalog from Lee Valley Tools they are always in there. Was just wondering if anyone had tried em before. Might have to get me a pack sometime. They also sell some silicon bronze boat nails, ever hear of em? I think they might be too hard, but never know.
Bushman

Title: Re: Copper Nails?
Post by: bushman on January 28, 2012, 04:26:06 pm

Here is the URL to a supplier of copper boat fasteners out of VT.
http://www.faeringdesigninc.com/index.html
Bushman

Title: Re: Copper Nails?
Post by: mullet on January 28, 2012, 07:48:59 pm

I had Home Depot stock some copper roofing nails since they sell copper flashing for roofs. A box is around $18 and it's a pound.

Title: Re: Copper Nails?
Post by: Prarie Bowyer on January 29, 2012, 01:15:01 am

Copper forges the opposite from steel.  Heating it and then letting it cool hardens it.  If you quench it it will soften it.  Also hammering it cold will harden it.

Title: Re: Copper Nails?
Post by: bubby on January 29, 2012, 03:03:07 am

take copper ground rod, put one end in a vice and chuck the other in a drill motor and spin it till it breaks free, get's it good and hard, i use three diferant sizes to pressure flake with & they all get plenty hard, Bub

Title: Re: Copper Nails?
Post by: outback118 on February 06, 2012, 04:34:51 pm

the home depo nails I have seen are just copper plated steel. for all copper twisting and hammering will stiffen them but the key is not having too much lenth from the handel . if it bends  shorten it up a bit to reduce the leverage on the nail.  if it keeps bending it is too small for the job get a bigger nail .

Title: Re: Copper Nails?
Post by: mullet on February 06, 2012, 09:14:06 pm

Bob, tell them you want it for roofing, they will order the real stuff. What I got is all copper.