Annealed copper vs Aluminum

[Hartinez]

I recently purchased my first package of annealed copper wire for some conifers that need styling. I wired out a small Tan Juniper and did some initial larger bends on a sankan shimpaku. I’ve also got a Doug Fir and a englemann in need.

I had only used aluminum wire up to this point and while it’s always done ok for what I was doing, the annealed copper was INSANELY easy to work with and functions exactly as advertised. Very plyable and workable and as you wrap, twist and bend a branch in to place the copper hardens, keeping the branch exactly where needed.

I know most of you who have used copper for some time already know this, but if your reading this and haven’t tried annealed copper, bite the bullet, spend a few extra bucks and make it happen. I’ll still use aluminum for most deciduous but I’m 100% sold on copper for conifers. I have found that Adams Bonsai has great prices on annealed copper on their website.

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

I made the full switch last year when I found the local recycling plant to offer electrical wires by the weight.
I got roughly 200 meters of 1mm, 60 meters of 2.5mm and 20 meter of 4mm wire for 50 euros.

Probably one of the best choices I've made when it comes to bonsai.

I also found out that the barbecue is pretty well at annealing. It saves a lot of effort when you can just toss a coil in some coals and let it burn up over night. Wood fires are a no go here nowadays, the neighbors don't like it.

 

[Hartinez]

I made the full switch last year when I found the local recycling plant to offer electrical wires by the weight.
I got roughly 200 meters of 1mm, 60 meters of 2.5mm and 20 meter of 4mm wire for 50 euros.

Probably one of the best choices I've made when it comes to bonsai.

I also found out that the barbecue is pretty well at annealing. It saves a lot of effort when you can just toss a coil in some coals and let it burn up over night. Wood fires are a no go here nowadays, the neighbors don't like it.

I’ll have to look in to that. I’ve wanted to try to anneal myself some day. But yeah, the copper is way softer than I thought it would be after annealing. Can’t wait to get in to the larger collected trees I’ve got.

 

[Adair M]

I made the full switch last year when I found the local recycling plant to offer electrical wires by the weight.
I got roughly 200 meters of 1mm, 60 meters of 2.5mm and 20 meter of 4mm wire for 50 euros.

Probably one of the best choices I've made when it comes to bonsai.

I also found out that the barbecue is pretty well at annealing. It saves a lot of effort when you can just toss a coil in some coals and let it burn up over night. Wood fires are a no go here nowadays, the neighbors don't like it.

I have heard that in Japan, a common way to anneal copper is making fires using rice paper as fuel.

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

I used to do it with a blowtorch, but later I found that it just doesn't work well; half of the coil was still hardened and I was unable to tell the difference from feeling and hearing it.
Now that I've played around with well annealed copper, I can feel and hear the difference.
Annealed copper makes lower tones when it hits something hard, and feels way softer.

As for stripping electrical wires.. I recently had to go to the ER to get my index finger stitched because I jammed a box cutter down into the bone.. Never cut towards yourself!
Burning the plastic off creates a lot of toxic fumes. Don't do that. Dioxin is a nasty molecule.

Tip:
Attach the wire to something solid, like a garden tree. Take one end in your left hand that you'll use as guidance, and use your right hand to cut the plastic off towards the tree. That way you can't cut yourself if you slip. I knew this, I was stubborn. "Just this small piece!".
Anyhow, a sharp boxcutter can go for around 70 meters before going dull. When the wire is tightly held, that shouldn't take more than 15 minutes.

 

[leatherback]

I made the full switch last year when I found the local recycling plant to offer electrical wires by the weight.

whaaaaattttt!!
Need to start dealing man!

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

I can give you my dealers number @leatherback !
But I reckon there is a place just like it near you.

Look for companies that buy up leftovers from electrical/technical/installation/industrial companies. I could build a factory with the stuff they have lying around, some of it brand spanking new.

 

[Grovic]

I can give you my dealers number @leatherback !
But I reckon there is a place just like it near you.

Look for companies that buy up leftovers from electrical/technical/installation/industrial companies. I could build a factory with the stuff they have lying around, some of it brand spanking new.

Annealing your own wire is a great way to reduce your costs, even new hardware bought wire is cheaper than bonsai wire sold in most places.

 

[Adair M]

Annealing your own wire is a great way to reduce your costs, even new hardware bought wire is cheaper than bonsai wire sold in most places.

Of course it is! Whoever is doing the annealing should get paid for their time and expertise.

some are better at it than others. I’ve used excellent wire, and some “not-so-good”.

I wire a lot. For me, the extra expense to have really soft wire is worth it.

 

[Hartinez]

Of course it is! Whoever is doing the annealing should get paid for their time and expertise.

some are better at it than others. I’ve used excellent wire, and some “not-so-good”.

I wire a lot. For me, the extra expense to have really soft wire is worth it.

The rolls I bought were from Adams Bonsai and the price was great and my goodness, the wire was incredibly soft. Very much worth every penny. Made the wiring of a small juniper so much easier and efficient. My technique needs work, but it gets better each time.

 

[just.wing.it]

I've annealed 12g copper wire on the stovetop with success.
I used wire to wire the spool tight in 4 spots and flipped a few times with grill tongs, quenched in a bowl of water.

 

[Paradox]

Of course it is! Whoever is doing the annealing should get paid for their time and expertise.

some are better at it than others. I’ve used excellent wire, and some “not-so-good”.

I wire a lot. For me, the extra expense to have really soft wire is worth it.

Yea the other thing is with the wire bought from electrical/Hardware stores is the plastic coating.
I can not in good conscience put that in the fire and let it burn.

I got a hold of some old solid electrical wire once and I stripped all the covering off.
It was a helluva lot of work. I was able to anneal it just fine in my fire place. Worked really well and the wire was very workable.
But time = money and the time I spent to strip it all doesnt outweigh the greater expense of buying it already annealed.

 

[maroun.c]

Is a wood fire better than coal for annealing?

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

Is a wood fire better than coal for annealing?

No, it doesn't matter as long as you don't melt the wire completely. Wood fires can become too hot, coal fires are easier to control; just don't use too much!

 

[leatherback]

Wood fires can become too hot,

I tried annealing on a small bit and in the morning it just fell apart in pieces. Guess the fire was too hot

 

[Adair M]

I tried annealing on a small bit and in the morning it just fell apart in pieces. Guess the fire was too hot

Yes, annealing too hot will make it become brittle.