31/05/2026
The Lost Art of Copper Spinning
Most people have never seen a copper ball made from a flat sheet of metal.
In this video, a 7-inch copper sphere is formed by hand using traditional metal spinning techniques—a craft once common among architectural sheet metal workers and now rarely seen outside of specialized restoration shops.
Long before CNC machinery and mass production, craftsmen used these same methods to create the finials, steeple ornaments, weathervanes, and decorative copper details that still crown many of North America’s most beautiful historic buildings.
This sphere would later become part of a custom copper finial fabricated entirely in our shop.
At Charles A. Murray & Co. Limited, we remain committed to preserving traditional craftsmanship and applying these time-honoured techniques to heritage restoration projects across Ontario.
Because true restoration isn’t about replacing history.
It’s about understanding how it was made in the first place.
Charles A. Murray & Co. Limited
Heritage Roofing & Architectural Sheet Metal Since 1949
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