copper lay

I’ve not worked with it but here is where you can get it.

-- Bondo Gaposis

I don’t see where there would be any problem, other than the tarnishing.

-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"

I’ve used copper strips for inlay and stringing several times. Nothing about copper is inherently toxic, so working with it isn’t dangerous.

Properly sealed, copper will retain a bright finish. If you plan on a tarnished look, force the tarnish prior to applying the finish.

-- Friends don't let friends use right tilt contractor saws......

I’ve use copper powder in inlays. If it’s a tiny inlay, it’s much easier, but if it’s a large hole or check I fill it with black sand first using thin CA to hold it together, then I lay the copper dust on top of that and use thin CA. It dries in about an hour or two and when you sand the copper powder it then becomes copper. It won’t tarnish due to the CA acting as a sealer.
You’ll likely need several coats on a large inlay because there are always voids in any inlay and copper makes a solid inlay so some divots will show up. You can leave them for texture or fill them and reapeat the process. It sands like wood.

The void in this bowl went all the way through, the main part of the inlay is black sand to give it body, then three coats of copper. As you can see, there are still some area’s where it could use more, but I like the texture this way.

-- Failure does not stop me, it makes me try harder..... because I'm crazy.

I’ve not used it either Doug but I am looking forward to seeing what you do with it!

Thanks for sharing

-- Chuck Emery, Michigan,

If you are looking for larger bits of copper (i.e., not powder) take a file to a bit of copper pipe and collect the filings.

-- Mark Kornell, Kornell Wood Design