Welding copper?

[KIP in MX]

Anyone welded copper sheet? I want to make a copper tank/base for an Aladdin kerosene lamp from copper sheet and want to weld the seams. I have oxy/acetyline and Mig/Tig equipment. I don't want to use lead solder. Best advise?
 

[casenut1]

have never seen anything but solder on copper.
 

[JDseller]

Kip: Here is a link to a guy TIG welding copper. It is pretty neat. I had never seen it done before.
How to TIG Weld Copper Kevin Caron

 

[Stick welding]

TIG or silver solder will work. O/A might work but have never heard of it being used on copper. You might be able to find some info on the internet.
 

[Puddles]

Interesting video! Until now I've never seen it done. Years ago when I worked as a weldor out of the sheet metal union I worked with several guys who had built copper hoods for commercial kitchen, the way they talked was just like the guy in the video, no big deal to Tig weld copper. I have also heard of using electrical wire, but also remember reading sometimes it can cause problems, but can't remember what!
 

[JOB]

He did not tell you that welding copper the way he did gives off fumes that are not good for you. You need good ventilation to weld copper.
 

[timcasbolt]

He said it took 200 amps to get it going. That's a lot of heat!
 

[Bus Driver]

I have brazed copper with oxy/acetylene. Works well. Never used TIG equipment. Interesting video.
 

[casenut1]

that was 1/4 inch , looks easy. lets see it done with sheet copper , say 26 or 28 gauge. that's what i work with , bet it distorts all over the place.
 

[JDseller]

Here is another video of a guy brassing copper, sheet,rods and lap joint.
brassing copper

 

[Butch(OH)]

I have some bronze stick welding rod in the shop and it says it is good for copper.
 

[cd1]

why not solder, it's easy, cheap and pretty strong.
 

[greygoat]

Silver Solder, is it safe for food grade?
 

[Stick welding]

You can get cadmium free silver solder but check if it's rated for food service.
 

[Bud in WV]

I welded some copper buss bar and some copper nickle pipe years ago....it ain't pretty!
It takes a LOT of heat and it doesn't flow - at all! You can't "push" it with a TiG torch like steel, either. The "prettiest" Cu weld I've ever seen looked worse than a 2 hour beginner with a cold 7018.
Do yourself a big favor and solder it.