Wayne Parham Messages: 18789 Registered: January 2001
Illuminati (33rd Degree)
The problem is one of elasticity verses malleability. Clamping pressure requires elasticity. If the material deforms, then it sort of "bleeds off" clamping pressure. So you're up against that. Copper isn't elastic at all - It's way down there with nickel and aluminum.
I like using banana plugs or spade lugs. Banana plugs have springs made of a material that is elastic plated with an electrically conductive metal that doesn't oxidize. That allows clamping pressure from the elastic base material. If a screw connector is desired, spade lugs will provide the same sort of thing - an elastic base metal plated with an electrically conductive surface metal. Tightening down on the spade lug provides clamping pressure without deformation.