Copper tubing from a plumbing job

I bought a couple of sheets of brass from a hardware store, but my are they expensive.

I have leftover copper 1/2 in plumbing tubes leftover and decided tonight to use those. I’ve got a chunk of real rail from RR that I use as an anvil. Sandwiched the pipe between thick newspaper and hammered it flat. Then used heavy duty tinsnips (that I finally located) and cut the edge to unfold and make into a single sheet. The tinsnipping the double layer is hard work and the bench grinder seems to work better, but hold it w/pliers or you’ll get burned as the copper heats up mighty quick.

The single sheet copper is much easier to work and I fashioned a plate for the switch stand, even hammering the copper to form rivets. I also fashioned the round target, w/help of bench grinder, and made the switch stand supports.

Using a brass rod for the throwrod, connecting to the switch stand pole. Last one I made used copper, but I surmise the brass will hold up better in the long term.

I’ll get pictures later, but I’m using my daughter’s Sony 5.1 Megapixel and downloaded the driver on my windows 98 computer but can’t get the thing to function or open so I’m at a sticking point and don’t want to fini***he switch stand until I photo the parts before bending and soldering them.

Dave if you get stuck call this guy

Gee’s I don’t know if I’d use that guy Scratch, looks like he’s on “pot” ! [:D]

Al, that’s pretty funny. I’ve seen some colorful plumbing trucks but this one takes the cake.

Bug and varmint eradicator trucks look cool too. One in Arkansas had a giant termite on the top of the cab.


BTW, home depot sells large diameter copper plumbing pipes, that can save you a heap of money but flattening them and using them for various scratch projects. They’re about 20 times less costly than stuff in a hobby shop.

I did purchase some brass rods, however, from a hardware store. Sometimes you gotta buy hard-to-find weirdly shaped pieces.

In next week or so I’ll post some of my project w/step-by-step pictures

Thanks for the inspiration on the copper tubing. It sounds like a great material source. I look forward to seeing the pictures.