Thread: Wire Question
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Old 30-May-2004   #5
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Quote:
Originally posted by BonsaiBen
Thanks to both of you for the advice. I will likely use raffia and a couple of lengths of wire.

I have read several tutorials on annealing copper wire and is it as easy as it sounds? (In the past I have always used aluminum) If I undo the required lengths, hold it with a plier over the stove, let it turn red and then dump it into cold water it will do the trick?


There are some links in bonsaiTALK Links if you try searching on ANNEAL. This is usually done in a firepit or at least a barbecue pit. It needs to be very hot. You might be able to use your gas stovetop but it would be time consuming. The wire needs to glow cherry red. Not very comfortable to hold in pliers and you might get a hard spot where you held it.

Water can be useful to remove the oxidation that can develop during the annealing process, but it's cosmetic. It needn't be cold and it won't stay that way for long when you drop the hot wire in it.

Regards,

Matt
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