Reed Making

Purpose: To provide blanks of copper for staples.

1. The copper cutter shown is one that is home made. It has been found that commercial paper cutters are too fragile in construction and require frequent sharpening.
2. It should be noted that the angle of cut is off-set at a variance of 1/16" from a true plane. The reason for this is so that the copper strip can be turned over after each cut and thereby save material.
3. Below is a diagram of the strip and a finished blank as it should result.
4. After sufficient blanks for your needs are cut, it is important that the edges to be folded are lightly rubbed once or twice with a fine file to remove, any residual metal from the sides that may prevent a proper seal. A low speed grinding wheel may be used for clean-up but there is less control of how much should be removed.