An arc welding/brazing process is disclosed that is useful to join together a first copper piece and a second copper piece without damaging more heat-sensitive materials that may be located nearby is disclosed. The arc welding/brazing process includes using a non-consumable electrode wire, which electrically communicates with a weld control in a straight polarity orientation, to strike an arc across a gap established between a leading tip end of the electrode wire and the first copper piece. The current that flows through the arc when the arc is established heats the first copper piece such that the first copper piece becomes joined to a second copper piece. The joint between the first copper piece and the second copper piece may be an autogenous weld joint or a braze joint.