Step-by-step guide: How to Re-create Darrell’s Copper Rose’s

Weld the roses together
  • Difficulty
    Medium

Introduction

Not everyone has a green thumb. But fear not, with these copper roses, you can put down the trowel and switch off the garden hose! Forget the pressure, there’s no need to worry about planting and keeping these roses alive. Copper roses are a beautiful addition to any home and a completley unique piece. We also recommend giving one to someone you love! Follow Darrell’s guide below to make your own.

You need

Let's go - step by step

Step15

Mark out petals and drill centre holes

Cardboard petal stencils being used to mark out petal shapes on copper

Firstly, start by making cardboard templates of the different sized petals and leaves. You will need 4 circles of petals, each gradually reducing in size. Draw around the templates directly onto the copper sheet.

Step25

Cut out petal shapes

Cut out the petal shapes using a Bosch grinder or Dremel multi-tool

Next, drill a 6.5mm hole in the centre of each petal to accommodate the stem. Then, use the Dremel Workstation (220) with the Dremel 8220, and a 3mm drill bit to make another hole in each individual petal as close to the centre hole as possible. This is done to stop the copper from splitting.

Step35

Colour and braise the petals

Heat colour the copper petals

Set the tig welder to 42amps, 30hz. Slide the first leaves on and tig braze the copper to the stainless steel stem, then heat colour the copper using the Dremel Versa Flame. Repeat this process until all the petals are coloured and braised to the stem.

Step45

Shape the petals

Bend the petals on each layer and tig braise all the parts together

Use two pairs of long needle nosed pliers to bend the petals on each layer from the top and working your way down. Darrell uses a third hand welding tool to hold the copper in position whilst he tig brazes all the parts together. Clean up the welds with the Stainless Steel Brush 19mm (530) throughout the process.

Step55

Weld the roses together

The finished copper rose standing by a garden flower bed

Lastly, cut 2 x 3mm stainless steel round bars to 50mm in length and tig braze a single leaf to each one. Tig braze the 3mm bar to the stainless steel stem at a distance that looks natural from the rose head. Next, tig braise the bottom of the stem to your base. You can give the welds a final clean up with the Stainless Steel Brush 19mm (530) & Finishing Abrasive Buffs 180 & 280 grit DREMEL® MAX EZ SpeedClic (S511DM)

 

Finally, give the rose to someone you love!


Warning

To reduce the risk of injury user must read instruction manuals for all tools used in this project. Wear eye and respiratory protection. Use clamps to support work piece whenever practical.