Mattlward's entry to 3rd Annual Scratch Built Contest - Damascus Copper EDC - Hand Made - Update 8/11/15

Ok guys and gals… This is my first ever attempt at building a light from scratch! I am excited, and I am afraid that I will hit some roadblocks along the way. But I am going to attempt an 18650 or 18350 complete damascus light! I have always wanted a good copper light, but just cannot justify the cost… so I think I will try to build it.

7/11/15 Update
Sample of battery tube made, need to adjust the internal diameter… that means shrink my mandrel.

7/12/15 Update
Wound up the new battery tube today, looks good. But, I need an oxy-acet torch to silver solder… I do not have any tanks, have the torch… Ouch, tanks are gonna cost me. May have to try to borrow some torch time.

8/11/15 Update
Well, I am not sure that this is going to happen. I have not been able to maintain the temperature that I need to do the soldering. I was planning to use a 56% silver solder, with the balance being tin, copper and zinc. I need to keep the coils tight on a mandrel to make it happen, the solder needs 1205 degrees just to melt and with out oxy-acet torch I cannot keep the steel mandrel hot enough to allow the solder to flow.

I did not want to use materials with lead since it will be hand carried and the lead solder could easily be transferred to skin.

I am still working on this, but do not hold out high hopes at this point.

You had me at CuDam

Subscribed and eagerly awaiting updates! Good luck!

Wow, now we’re talking!

Sweet. Where did you buy the steel from or did you make it?

I am planning on using pure copper and silver, think Damascus shotgun barrel. Not forged metal!

wow, this sounds interesting. I love Damascus steel.

WOW, so are you going to take several slabs and heat them and form them by twisting and hammering, like the Damascus steel is done? Do you have a forge maybe? Like for knives, etc? Looking forward to this one!

I'm really curious about this one :-)

Can't wait to see the build! :beer:

This could be one of the better lookiing torches out of the comp. Look forward to seeing the build on this one.

Oh, wow! :heart_eyes:

Did you ever get what you need? Can you not do silver solder with a MAPP gas torch? You’re talking about brazing rods, right?