Ok, so onto a list of tools and materials. Most of this is fairly crucial to the project but should be in your toolbox anyhow:



Tools

Scribe & Centre punch- I actually made myself a set from some old, thick nails, but I also use some I found in my toolbox.

Ruler

Cordless Drill/Drill Press/Dremel/Hand Drill - as long as it can take a 5mm (3/16" or thereabouts) drill bit, you're good.

Drill Bits: 5mm ​(3/16")/3mm ​(7/64")- for use with above. Other sizes are always handy.

Tinsnips/jewellers saw/pneumatic press - essentially, something to cut your copper with. I found these to be excellent, but use whatever suits you the best.

Rubber/leather/wood mallet - to flatten out your copper without marking it

Metalworking file - for removing rough edges and cut marks. Dirt cheap, and ubiquitous at DIY stores.

Cross Peen hammer - you know the end of the hammer head you always thought was for use with tacks? Well, it's not.

Anvil/Metal block - For hammering on.I bought a slab (10x10cm) of steel, and use that. (Man, I wish I had an anvil...)

Propane Torch/forge/brazing hearth- a heat source, capable of annealing copper. You can get away with using a cooks blowtorch or a gas hob, but I invested in this as I do lots of metalwork at home.

Pliers (Needlenose, locking, rounded) - for manipulating the metal. I daresay you have at least needlenose pliers lying around, and you can manage with just them.

M6/M5 dies (optional) - for cutting the thread. I don't own a set of taps and dies, but I'm going to buy one. I used the ones my school workshop has, but if you can't get your hands on some, I'm providing a workaround as they are slightly obscure. A full set will cost a bit, but they don't wear out quickly, and are very useful.

Cutting fluid(optional) - this helps to make a nice, clean thread as well as prolonging the life of your tools.

Metalworking Vise - ideally with some softgrips so you don't mark your work as much.

Ballpeen Hammer - with a rounded head to make rivets.

Wire Brush - one with a toothbrush sized head works best.

Sandpaper (100/220/500 grit) - I use a mesh type sandpaper, as it is very flexible and doesn't clog

Steel Wool

Buffing wheel/attachment for drill & buffing compound (optional) - I have a combination electric grindstone/buffing wheel that I use to get a beautiful finish on copper quickly, though you can do it by hand



Right! Now that you've worked your way through that rather long list of tools, we can move on to the materials you'll need.



Materials

50x225mm of 1.2mm/16oz Copper Sheet - if you can't get hold of this locally, there are plenty of suppliers online - this is what I use, and it is enough for two flowers with spare. Alternatively, reclaim some copper by opening out some old copper tubing and flattening that out.

2x Steel M6 hex nuts - very common, and very cheap. Keep a couple spare, in case something goes wrong.

200mm of 6mm/ 3/16" silver steel rod - you can use mild steel rod (cheaper, and more common) but silver steel is harder; whilst this makes it more difficult to work (cutting threads takes longer) it also means that the thread is much neater and better for what you're gonna use it for. Now that i've made lots of roses, I recommend using smaller diameter steel as it looks more aesthetically pleasing. However, the pictures in the guide are old, and still using those old photos. Use 4mm steel and an M4 die if you want to go for something prettier and only slightly less strong.

OR, if you haven't got access to a set of dies,

Brazing rod/brass rod of a smaller diameter, around 4mm - this is for the workaround step. Brass is one of the few metals that's really soft enough to be cut without using a die (but more about that later). You can find this in most hardware/ironmongery type places, or online.

2x Steel M3 hex nuts



I happen to have the last three things lying around at home or in my school workshop, so I didn't put links as to where I got them from - if you do happen to fund a good source for some, just put it in the comments and I'll add it in.



Finally, we can begin work.