As I watch the usual YouTube suspects, there seems to be a preference for making “soft jaw” spacers from copper. The main purpose is to keep from marring a machined surface with the serrations of the chuck jaws. Aluminum cans have a very controlled thickness, but seem to not be thick enough, at least from a durability standpoint (although they are cheap and easy to make). Copper tube can be flattened after annealing easily. Dealing with separate pieces can be annoying at times. Copper and aluminum are both soft enough to protect parts and available in thick enough sheets to make the more permanent snap on or screwed down versions we see frequently. Copper is significantly more expensive. Does copper actually perform better or has it just become convention?
Thanks.. Be safe..
Thanks.. Be safe..