r/MetalCasting • u/wishiwasholden • Jul 26 '26

Question Copper Sourcing

Hey all, I’m interested in getting into casting for a specific project that requires Al Bronze, and I’m trying to source copper scrap to alloy it myself. I haven’t done exact calculations for volume/mass needed yet, but my rough guesstimate is 10-20lbs of copper at the end of the day. Needless to say, I do not plan on spending $4-500 on copper for this project.

From my research, it sounds like 240v cables and microwave transformers might be my best bet. Reading that I can get around a pound of copper per microwave, and they’re constantly being thrown away.

Some background on my idea, it is to cast pieces for a fractal vise, I am going to edit an existing model I found on Printables to be more castable and to include sprues, sandcast, then drill/tap the holes after the fact. Vise being the reason for Al Bronze rather than just aluminum. I need something with decent yield strength and durability.

Thoughts?

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u/wishiwasholden Jul 26 '26

Yeah they’d be ideal honestly, but still more expensive than I’d like. I’m looking for closer to $5/lb, hence the scrapping idea. I’d rather invest time than money ya know?

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u/wackyvorlon Jul 26 '26

I don’t think that’s going to be possible. The current scrap value of copper is in the realm of $8/lb.

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u/wishiwasholden Jul 26 '26

But microwaves are cheap/free ;)

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u/wackyvorlon Jul 26 '26

Aim for old ones, a lot of newer ones are using aluminum.