The tools, equipment and materials the trade uses. Prices are indicative market prices with source — always check the current price with the retailer.
Materials
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Copper sheet~ 2.500–4.100 kr pr. plade 1000×2000 mm (0,6–0,8 mm)Indicative · Metalpro.dk / e-BYGSTORE.dk (Cu-DHP halvhård kobberplade) · 2026-07
Brass sheetUsed for fittings, signs, engraving and decorative parts. Easier to engrave and work than copper, and takes a fine polish.
Brass bar and profileBlanks for turned and filed parts, handles, pins, rivets and fitting components (brassworker).
Copper pipeCoppersmith work: elbows, spouts, vessels and pipework. Soft pipes bend easily; hard pipes hold their shape and are soldered/brazed at joints.
Bronze/gunmetalFor hard-wearing, corrosion-resistant parts, crafts and restoration. Takes a fine patina and is used for cast and raised pieces.
Brazing alloy (silver solder)Strong, hot joints in copper, brass and bronze. Choose the solder grade according to the order of the joints — hardest solder first, softer solder for subsequent joints.
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Soft solder (solder)For soldering where not much heat may be applied, e.g. sealing and assembly. Considerably lower strength and temperature than hard solder.
Flux / solder pastePrevents oxidation during soldering so the solder flows cleanly and bonds to the base metal. Choose flux according to solder type and temperature.
Polishing wheels and polishing pastePolishes the metal to the desired finish after sanding — tripoli removes sanding marks, rouge gives a high gloss.
Acid neutraliser / stainThe workpiece is placed in the warm, diluted bath after soldering so oxide and flux dissolve and the surface is clean before further work.
Patinating agent (liver of sulphur)Gives a controlled patina/oxide colour for decorative effect and highlights relief. Dilute and apply according to the supplier's instructions.
Machines and equipment
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Gas torch / hand torchThe main heat source for soldering and annealing work. Propane/oxygen gives a higher flame temperature for brazing copper and bronze.
Spinning chucks / formers for metal spinningMetal spinning: the blank is pressed onto the mandrel's shape with a spinning tool or roller, so the part takes the mandrel's form.
Engraver's ball viceHolds the workpiece and lets the engraver turn the work against the graver instead of twisting the hand — gives clean, controlled cuts.
Rolling mill (sheet and wire)Rolls sheet thinner and wire into profile. The material must be annealed between passes when it becomes work-hardened.
Belt and disc sanderRough and intermediate grinding of edges and surfaces before polishing — the core machine for the iron and metal grinder specialism.
Hand tools
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Driving and planishing hammerFor raising copper and brass into hollow forms and planishing (smoothing) the surface afterwards. The shape of the face controls how the metal moves.
Driving pins and chasing punchesFor decorative shaping: raising the metal from the back (repoussé) and chasing details from the front.
Anvil and planishing stakesA solid base with the desired curvature for raising, planishing and forming hollow pieces such as bowls and vessels.
Pressure pins and pressure rollersTransfers the pressure from hand/forearm to the sheet and drives it gradually up around the mandrel. Rollers give less friction and a finer surface.
Engraving gravers (burins)Hand engraving of text, ornaments and monograms. The profile (pointed, flat, bulino) determines the shape of the cut.