I found some native copper and I plan to collect more. How can I cast this copper? I was thinking like a keychain....pendant? What should i make the mold out of? what do I put the copper in, to put it in a fire to melt it? thanks
Copper doesn't really cast well, without industrial grade help. It's a very dirty metal (i.e. a lot of impurities and such). When you melt metal, all the junk in it flows to the top. If this is not removed somehow, it can seriously screw up your cast. I really don't recommend casting to anyone who hasn't learned it from a professional of some sort as it is potentially VERY dangerous, and I don't recommend casting copper to anyone, as it's not worth the effort. You might do better to just clean up your nuggets and enjoy their natural shape. That said, if you insist on ignoring my very sound advice, you will need a crucible to melt the metal in, and some sort of mold to pour it in (the mold must be able to withstand extreme heat). You will also need a torch that can heat the metal up to around 1100 degrees Fahrenheit (the melting point of Cu is just below that). Wear all natural fibers--closed toe, leather shoes are a must. Also wear a heavy jacket or leather apron and thick leather gloves. If the worst happens, synthetic fibers will melt into your skin, whereas natural materials will burn, hopefully giving you enough time to strip them off before the metal burns into your skin too deeply. Also, make sure you're wearing a face shield. Melt the metal with the torch, pour it into the mold once it's thoroughly molten, and pray it comes out okay. Don't blame me if things go wrong and you wind up with third degree burns all over your body.
