Cutting thick copper plate?

[tomplum]

I want to cut out a custom floor register out of copper. ~6" x 12" in an area with foot traffic. I've never plasma cut thicker copper before. Does it cut similarly to plate steel? I'm weighing between getting 1/4" or 3/8" and laying a steel plate under it for support. It would be great to have thick piece of copper, I'd hate to mess that up...

 

[5030]

No and no.... Waterjet is the best bet.

 

[MossRoad]

Have you thought about cutting it out in steel and sending it somewhere to be copper plated?

 

[Diggin It]

Or making the structure steel and cladding it with copper flashing?

Or buying a ready made piece from a big box store and cladding it?

 

[Peter 315]

Copper Floor Register to Accent Your Copper Accessories

 

[grsthegreat]

Ive tried cutting copper with plasma table...was not impressed. Personally I’d buy one off amazon or eBay or ?

 

[tomplum]

Yeah, wanted to do something kind of artsie that would stand up. Anodizing the steel may be the best bet I'd think. Good stuff to ponder from you all. Thanks guys.

 

[CADplans]

Read the threads about guys trying to remove powder coat,,
it is almost impossible to remove, even if you want to,,,

Cut it out of steel, have it powder coated the color that you want,, even copper,,
The powder coat will resist floor traffic far better than copper,,, also,, :thumbsup:

Don't come back complaining when you can not get the powder coat off ,,, though!! :laughing:

 

[yomax4]

Copper can be tough to cut with plasma. Cutting is actually super fast oxidization and copper doesn't like to oxidize fast. I like to work with it and often use a bandsaw and a router table with a single cut carbide bur in it.

 

[caver]

We would use a bandsaw at work to cut heavy copper buss bars.