Awesome Copper

This pocket-sized machined copper flashlight from CountyComm has a right-angle-mounted light so you can clip it into your pocket and aim it forward for hands-free use. It runs on a single AAA battery and outputs up to 185 lumens thanks to a bright Cree G3 LED. A glow-in-the-dark reflector makes it easy to find, and it comes with a stainless steel pocket clip.

MecArmy’s miniature compass is small enough to wear as a pendant, on your keychain, or attached to a bag. It features a high-sensitivity movement with an anti-magnetic bearing and glow-in-the-dark markings and comes in copper, brass, or TC4 titanium for $10 extra. Measures 1.48″ L x 0.925″ W x 0.51″ H.

Beautify any mechanical keyboard with these lovely real metal keycaps from Awekeys. They’re made from recycled aluminum with copper plating. The keycaps produce an extra-clicky sound and are cool to the touch. They fit a variety of MX key switches and come in a base 116-key set, with add-ons like etched eagle-themed keys by artist Daniel Mitchell.

This palm-sized flashlight from CountyComm looks great with its solid copper body and tactile finger grip texture. Powered by a single CR123 battery, its Cree XP-G3 LED offers three brightness modes: 5 lumens, 55 lumens, and 450 lumens. Put it in your pocket or hang it from your keychain. It measures 2.75″ long and weighs 2.7 oz.

We’ve seen what happens when introducing a red-hot metal sphere to a jawbreaker. So what do you think will happen if you place a molten copper ball into a glass filled with popcorn kernels? Snap Object has the answer. After a slow start, things really get going once a little oil is added to the mix. We’re impressed that the glass didn’t crack.

There are obsessions, and then there’s this. Artist Robert Wechsler spent seven years making this sculpture entirely from pennies. He built the 540-pound tower of pennies by cutting four slots into 100,000 pennies, assembling them into strings, and then into sheets for stacking. He had to build a special rig to press the pennies together, a dozen at a time.

AltDynamic is back with two larger sizes of its Superegg desk plaything. The machined metal eggs feature a superelliptical shape, and now come in 2.4″ (Mighty) and 2.88″ (Mega) variants. Each can be ordered in stainless steel, copper, or titanium, with mirror, satin, or machined finishes. Mini and Classic sizes are also available during this Kickstarter campaign.

Inspired by the stainless steel pool ball made by MyMechanics, Cool Again Restoration set out to make their own. They used different techniques to set their pool ball apart and incorporated copper and epoxy resin. They started by machining cylindrical sections, gradually refining into a spherical shape. We’d love to see a whole rack filled with these.

After seeing another artist make a tabletop by scorching wood, Burls Art was inspired to try the technique with a guitar body. After burning some maple, he coated it with epoxy to preserve its finish, then cut a thick sheet of copper to inlay into its face. He forced the copper into a blue-green patina using ammonia, vinegar, and salt.

Moscow mules are served in a copper mug for a reason. Not only does copper look awesome, it helps keep cold drinks cool. Not content with storebought mugs, Robinson Foundry decided to make his own. In this video, he shows how he made a pair of beautiful mugs using ceramic molds he created from 3D-printed forms.

Wild Oaks Metal Works handcrafts these unique desk lamps from steel and copper. Their conical shade and articulated base pay homage to the iconic Anglepoise lamp, but with a brawny industrial look. The gears and chains are functional too – turn the crank to adjust its height. They also make an extended-reach version.

This circular bubble level from Silver Fox Tool helps ensure surfaces are level on two axes. What makes it special is the solid copper ring into which the level has been set. The level fits nicely in the palm of your hand and will settle into a unique patina over the years.

Winter is upon us, so for those with a green thumb, that means more indoor growing. This lovely copper tray from Garrett Wade helps you get seedlings started in a controlled environment. It comes with 24 square, bottomless containers so young plants can sip water from the tray and slide out easily for potting.

LittleBall Creations makes beautiful marble mazes from bent and soldered copper wire. Here, they show off one of their self-contained mazes that sits inside of a cube. The marble rolls from one end of the track to the other when the cube is flipped over. If you’re interested in buying their work, contact them on Facebook.

Yancey Designs makes beautiful decor from copper. This copper box and tray set is a great alternative to wood valets and jewelry boxes. Its main tray, dividers, and insert are great for organizing accessories can be used independently or combined. Price shown is for the tray and lid only, with inserts sold as options.

A tea kettle is one of those simple objects that’s easy to take for granted. This video from HanOul-Workshop shows how he makes a copper tea kettle by hammering and bending sheet metal and copper tubing. It’s a long and laborious process that will give you an appreciation for individual craftsmanship.

This premium pocket multitool from EDC maker Lautie comes in titanium, copper, and zirconium versions, each with a stainless steel tip. Its tools include a bottle opener, box cutter, pry bar, and a 1/4″ hex bit driver, set into a keychain-compatible wedge shape inspired by the head of a crane bird.

Blacksmith Denis Tyrell of Tyrell Knifeworks shows off the build process for one of the most beautiful bladed weapons we’ve seen. He created this cumai katana with a Damascus blade comprised of twisted layers of steel and copper. He finished it with a copper blade collar and a stingray skin and leather-wrapped wood handle.

One reason metals are so wonderful is because they can be melted down over and over again to form new objects. In this video from Rob Bonifacio, he shows us how he took some Canadian copper pennies and dimes, layered them with high-carbon steel and forged them into a Damascus blade for a knife. Part two here.

Over the past five decades, Zippo has produced a handful of special lighters made from copper. This classic design is now back for a limited time as a pre-production model with a hand-finished, solid copper case. Its insert is made from a unique black-coated steel, and it’s covered by Zippo’s lifetime repair guarantee.

Given how soft copper is, it seems like an unlikely material for a sledgehammer. But it sure looks pretty, so that’s probably why Robinson Foundry decided to make one out of the eye-catching metal. To fabricate it, he first created a 3D-printed form for a sand mold, then filled it with molten copper and machined its final shape.

If the past is any indication, Sony will eventually release a smaller PS5. Matt at DIY Perks couldn’t wait, so he got to work stripping down its parts and created his own PS5 Slim. By moving its power supply to an external brick and building a custom copper water-cooling system, he dramatically cut down on its size.

GambleMade’s keychain accessory serves one purpose only – to glow in the dark. Oh, and it looks cool too. The handmade metal key fob packs a phosphorescent center that charges up in the sun or a light bulb. It comes in titanium or a copper/brass combo with a green or aqua blue glow.