I do a lot work with metal by hand, and recently I've been doing more delicate work with rings and the copper dust on my hands from sanding seems to create more scratches that I have to sand off whenever I hold it. Is there some household or common item I can use to attract copper dust from my work area and hands? I might have magnets somewhereeven if I can't find them right now, would that work?

Edited December 9, 201114 yr by questionposter

Copper isn't magnetic. Here's the MSDS on copper dust.

 

Not sure if it would help, but a bucket of sand to rub your hands in might pull the dust off.

Copper isn't magnetic. Here's the MSDS on copper dust.

 

Not sure if it would help, but a bucket of sand to rub your hands in might pull the dust off.

 

 

"Copper isn't magnetic"

 

A little off topic... but copper does have some interesting interactions with magnets

 

try dropping a strong magnet through a copper tube, its very cool

"Copper isn't magnetic"

 

A little off topic... but copper does have some interesting interactions with magnets

 

try dropping a strong magnet through a copper tube, its very cool

 

That's because copper is conductive, not because it's magnetic. Works with aluminum, too. In a pinch, you can use a roll of aluminum foil to demonstrate the effect.

 

However, I don't think this effect can get rid of copper dust.

That's because copper is conductive, not because it's magnetic. Works with aluminum, too. In a pinch, you can use a roll of aluminum foil to demonstrate the effect.

 

However, I don't think this effect can get rid of copper dust.

 

"That's because copper is conductive, not because it's magnetic."

 

I wasn't trying to say it was, that would be silly

 

"However, I don't think this effect can get rid of copper dust."

 

No I don't either - Just an interesting side note really

 

A strong neodymium magnet dropped through a copper tube falls at about half speed due to electromagnetic braking and something to do with Lenz's law as I recall

 

Edit: Sorry if this is considered thread hijacking - I'll stop now

Edited December 22, 201114 yr by Tres Juicy