How you attach a spoon stem to a spoon?

[91bronc300]

It's New Years Eve and work wouldn't let me put in overtime so I thought I would make a copper spoon. It's my first foray into copper thing-making and I don't know how to proceed with the last step of connecting A to B. I'm thinking cut a slit about 3/8" up the stem then slide it on then drill two small holes for 2 rivets made of stainless steel nails. Can you get small nails made of good stainless? Is that a stupid idea? I need suggestions because making a spoon is very complex.

 

[Zeke]

Silver solder or what some call silver braze. Even Stay Brite 4% would work.

 

[kindyr]

If the bowl of the spoon is copper, why not use copper for the rivets?
Also, I wouldn't slit the handle, as then there is handle "inside" the bowl, where you don't want it.
My suggestion would be to slim the handle down where it meets the bowl, and use two copper pins(made from copper round stock if needed) to pin the bowl to the handle.

 

[Bobhdus]

Use your slot idea then use a small propane torch, flux, and some "lead free" solder used for swearing copper. It will never loosen up. Don't get the copper hotter than necessary to bubble the flux and get solder to flow otherwise it will stay too soft. I made a copper fork and welded it up a stainless fork for a octopus bracelet. Be safe!

 

[A_Pmech]

Silver solder would be my choice as well.

 

[91bronc300]

Neat bracelet Bobhdus, I like it. I'm guessing the silver solder is Silver and Tin and can be had at a hardware store? And is food safe?

 

[Harrison2]

sorry but work wouldn't let you put in overtime so you made a spoon? :s I'd graze it because that's what I've been taught

 

[91bronc300]

sorry but work wouldn't let you put in overtime so you made a spoon? :s I'd graze it because that's what I've been taught

Yeah, it keeps the boredom off my back. I have some copper around because I've been melting some for fun lately and doing simple castings. Figured I would try to actually craft something rather than just melt and pour.

I think I'll just taper the end of the stem to match the curve on the bottom of the spoon and then solder it. Seems like a good way to do it.

Thanks for the suggestions

EDIT: BTW, here's the video I saw that made me want to make one

 

[Bobhdus]

Neat bracelet Bobhdus, I like it. I'm guessing the silver solder is Silver and Tin and can be had at a hardware store? And is food safe?

Yep. Silver/ tin alloy, there are many variations. Some solder is harder than others. I'm no solder expert, but anything that is suitable for use on plumbing will work. The more silver is in it the more money it will cost. What you need is about 1/2" of "lead free" solder. Don't spend too much. I used silicon bronze and a Tig welder for my bracelet because I didn't want to discolor it or get flux between the two different metals.

 

[machine_punk]

Regular solder would be more than enough (form the end of the spoon handle to fit the place it is going to attach on the spoon part). 95/5 would be the 'safest,' if you want to actually use the spoon to eat.

Silver solder (brazing) would definitely do it.

I cannot possible get away without suggesting rivets...I would use copper rivets on a copper spoon.

Kev

 

[slow50]

are you gona be eating off that or is it decoration? can you even eat off something thats been silver soldered?

 

[Grazz256]

are you gona be eating off that or is it decoration? can you even eat off something thats been silver soldered?

All my copper water pipes are silver soldered so I hope so! That being said there are two types one with lead and one with out, just make sure you use the one with out.

Cheers

 

[91bronc300]

are you gona be eating off that or is it decoration? can you even eat off something thats been silver soldered?

I'll be eating with it. I ended up using copper rivets so the whole spoon is nothing but copper, just to be safe. It looks primitive but I like that anyways. And it seems to be fixed on there real well so I'm happy with it. I think after cleaning it up a little more I'll try a fork.

 

[BD1]

I'll be eating with it. I ended up using copper rivets so the whole spoon is nothing but copper, just to be safe. It looks primitive but I like that anyways. And it seems to be fixed on there real well so I'm happy with it. I think after cleaning it up a little more I'll try a fork.

Cool, you gonna make a service for 12 ??

 

[Bobhdus]

That looks great. Post pics if the forks when your done. I started a copper fork segment for the "Octo-fork" by annealing some 3" copper tubing and then using a small bandsaw with scrap underneath it to keep a smaller kerf so the copper wouldn't get sucked below when I cut the tines. From there I shaped with small file. I never thought about using this stuff as a utensil but I could see making a cool copper set to give as a present. I make jewelery with copper/ stainless.

 

[91bronc300]

Bobhdus, that is some neat stuff. I like how shiny you were able to get the copper. You use a buffing wheel? I think if I get into this kind of thing I will buy one of those vibrating tumblers and use that. All I have here now is some sandpaper and scotch brite pads.

Here is the fork. The metal for the fork head is a piece I cut out of a serving platter that was silver plated copper. You probably can't tell from the pictures but it looks just a little bit different than pure copper. Either I couldn't get all the silver off (it was tenacious) or it's actually an alloy. Anyway, I should have just cut open and flattened a piece of tubing like I did for the spoon bowl because both materials ended up being 45 thou thick anyway (I thought the platter was thicker). I tried to peen the tines of the fork after cutting it out to make them stronger but even still I think I made the tines a little too long for just the 45 thou material. Probably should've used stuff twice as thick but I don't have any around. It's still functional I just won't be mashing potatoes with it.

I have no plans to be making a service for 12

 

[NUTTSGT]

Interesting project, what's next on the list to make ?

 

[91bronc300]

Interesting project, what's next on the list to make ?

Thank you, and not sure really. I guess the next logical step would be a cup or bowl. I like those big straight-walled camping cups you can get, you know the kind with the blue or red enamel on them. I'm not sure how I would make it though, get some large pipe and weld a bottom on it maybe? I would need more tools before I could try the 'raise a vessel' method.

 

[Bobhdus]

Those are awesome. Great work and a very unique idea. As I did, you can find done copper pipe, cut about an inch off the end, cut it across and then anneal and form it. It's thick stuff. I used to make bracelets like this with special stamped messages on it. I also use that silver plated copper flat wear for bracelets. It helps make a little extra fun money. Your spoon pieces can also be used for jewelry. Here's some pics...

 

[Bobhdus]

I usually use buffing wheel to polish or be rid of imperfections using compound and on occasion ball peen hammering for effects and scotch brite for brush finish.