Meet the (tooled copper) Foil Family

[Bob in SF]

I was using some adhesive conductive copper foil to reduce the 60hz hum in the guts of a lap steel guitar - tiny light bulb went on.

Why not tool some copper foil with a little turned cocobolo stylus, alcohol ink it, adhere it to the brass tubes, seal with Createx Gloss Top Coat, PR cast tube-in with some flakes, then turn/finish as usual?

No one else was in the shop to just say no (and this is often the case).

Mom is on the left - and has "Beautiful Day" calligraphed on her top barrel in Thai language.

The kids speak some sort of abstract abstract language that I can't decipher, and Dad is non-verbal (too much shop time):

http://www.penturners.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=168843&stc=1&d=1508946975

I may have popped open a tiny can of infinity - will keep you posted.

Happy Wednesday to all - Bob

 

[gtriever]

Once more, your creativity is outstanding!

 

[liljohn1368]

Very nice. You do good work Bob!!!

 

[magpens]

Hey, Bob !!!! . What will be next ? . Who knows, eh ????

These are highly creative and very attractive !!!!

I wonder what the thickness of the Cu foil is ? . Any special technique to deal with the wrap-around seam ?
Is the foil wide enough to get you all the way around the brass tube ?

Thanks again for sharing your very interesting ideas !!

 

[RKB]

You create Magic. :biggrin:

Rod

 

[leehljp]

Beautiful work Bob! Love the colors! I don't think I could use one of your pens; I would forget about writing with one and just LOOK at it! They would be a "Beauty to Behold"!

 

[ericofpendom]

They are so stunning, thanks for sharing. I am interested in how you adhere the foil to the tube without flattening the tooled detail. I have tried the aluminium foil in the past but have rubbed out the detail when sticking it on the tube. Any clues would be appreciated.
Eric...

 

[ajollydds]

Outstanding craftsmanship as usual!

 

[TattooedTurner]

Yet again you've shown your creativity knows no bounds. These may be my favorite yet, like Hank I think I'd just look at one rather than write. You've really outdone yourself on this set, thanks for sharing.

 

[Bryguy]

You blow me away with the amazing ideas you come up with. Great job!

 

[TonyL]

Amazing!

 

[Bob in SF]

Humble thanks for the kind comments!

The brass tubes are thoroughly acetone washed to improve adhesion.

I also clean the foil with acetone for alcohol ink adhesion.

Here is the Tapes Master self adhesive tape - using 2" wide:

Technical Data:

Color: Copper

Carrier: Copper Foil

Adhesive: Conductive Acrylic Adhesive

Carrier Thickness (mm):0.025

Total Thickness (mm):0.06 ± 0.005

Appearance:Excellent, no oxidation

Initial Tack(Steel Ball) (#): 11

Resistance(ohm/in2):0.05

Holding Power(1kg/inch): >1140

180Peeling Strength: >8 N/25.4mm

Application Temperature: -20~120 Celsius

Storage Condition:20 Celsius, 65% RHH


36 yards of the 2" will yield 600+ slimlines - not bad!


I do the tooling with hand-turned hardwood scribes (styluses) or tiny ball point scribes - carefully working either side to regulate the level of relief - similar to chasing and repousse in metalsmithing.


This foil tools like butter - ideal for figurative imagery, abstracts, and for my (current obsession with international) calligraphy, eg.
"Beautiful Day" in modern Greek:

I cut the foil with (tiny-toothed) pinking shears - and don't mind the (well concealed and even decorative) edges:

Hope this helps.


Warm regards to all - Bob

 

[magpens]

Many thanks for those details, Bob.

What about this issue raised by Eric, above (post #7) ? . Any comment ?

They are so stunning, thanks for sharing. I am interested in how you adhere the foil to the tube without flattening the tooled detail. I have tried the aluminium foil in the past but have rubbed out the detail when sticking it on the tube. Any clues would be appreciated.
Eric...

 

[Curly]

Great work once again Bob but you need the uncle villain pen that represents "Curses! Foiled again."

 

[Bob in SF]

Thanks, Mal and Pete!

"Curses! Foiled again." - nice!

RE: Eric's "I have tried the aluminium foil in the past but have rubbed out the detail when sticking it on the tube. Any clues would be appreciated.
Eric... "

No problems losing detail - BUT I wrap slowly without force because this copper tape has great adhesion without pressing hard.

Try it - you'll like it.

- Bob

 

[magpens]

Thanks, Bob. . I can see some possibilities even with no coloring. . Must get some tape.

 

[MRDucks2]

Quite Nice, Bob, you continue to inspire the rest of us.

 

[doug57]

Bob,

You've inspired me also. I hate to admit, I'd never heard of alcohol paints. After watching a few youtube videos, I see a number of possibilities.

Thanks for sharing!

Doug

 

[Bob in SF]

Doug - Thanks - the inks are great fun!

The alcohol based inks adhere well to acetone-washed brass tubes - and they react to each other in some fascinating and beautiful ways. My favorite brands are Copic (which can be airbrushed with an adapter), Chameleon for gradated tones, Dick Blick, Jacquard Pinata, and Spectrum Noir.

Practice on an acetone-washed sheet of brass or copper - and you can clean off the ink with isopropyl alcohol between efforts - I still practice on the same sheets of metal year after year.

Happy Saturday, Bob

PS:

Here are a couple of my earlier posts about alcohol ink pens:

http://www.penturners.org/forum/f13/joyous-barrel-decoration-alcohol-based-inks-143950/

http://www.penturners.org/forum/f13/more-alcohol-based-inkies-144200/