How The Products Are Made

The below shows an overview of some of the production processes used. From raw copper to finished product.

Step 1

Raw Copper

Copper is one of the most widely recycled metals with up to 80% of the copper in circulation today having been reformed from a previous life.

At Copper and Green, sheets of copper measuring 2 metres by 1 metre are used as the base material for most products. The flat sheet is augmented by various gauges of pipe and wire.

Step 2

Cutting

Hand tools are used to cut the larger sheets down to the correct sizes for working. A square and ruler is used to measure the sheet, a scribe is used to mark a line in the copper and hand 'snips' are used for cutting. Where circles are required, a pair of dividers is used, much like a pair of compasses. For some intricate parts, laser cutting can be used where a computer controls a high power laser beam to slice the copper.

Step 3

Spinning

Some products, for example the Blackened Copper Pots, are 'spun' on a 1950's design spinning lathe. Using large hand tools, much like spoons, the sheet metal is formed over a wooden 'chuck' into the correct three dimensional shape.

Step 4

Rolling

For copper plant rings (to deter slugs) and copper bracelets, the material is made into cylinders using a manual 'slip roller'. Three rollers are adjusted while the sheet copper is continuously fed through the machine until the correct radius is formed.

Step 5

Soldering

Many products combine multiple copper components. There are joined with a tin solder. Flux is applied to two pieces metal where it is to be joined. The copper is then heated with a gas torch and solder is applied. The solder melts and fuses to pieces of metal together.

Step 6

Beading

A beading machine, also known as a 'Jenny' or 'swager' is used to make a decorative shape in copper. This serves two purposes, it adds to the aesthetic but also adds strength.

Step 7

Polishing

Once a product is produced it sometimes shows marks from soldering and handling. If these need to be removed, the copper is polished using two cloths and a polishing compound. Shown here is 'Peek' which cleans, polishes and protects the copper. It can be bought from Amazon here if you wish to use the same product.

Copper plant pot Free shipping

Step 8

Shipping

The finished product is carefully wrapped and prepared for shipping. All packaging materials are recycled and sourced sustainably.

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