The tools required to write in a copperplate handwriting style are cheap and simple:
Lined paper 
Ink and Ink well
Dip pen with fine pointed steel nib
1- Explanation of Lined Paper
The lined paper is ruled with horizontal and diagonal lines. Each row consists of a set of four horizontal lines. The two centre lines define the size of the miniscule letters without ascenders and descenders, such as a, c, e, i, m, n, o, r, s, u, v, x, and w. The lower line is called the base line, and the higher line is called the waist line. The line below the base line is called the descender line (the part of a letter that extends below the base line) and defines the limit for the letters with descenders, such as g, j, p, q, y and z. The line above the waist line defines the limit for the letters with ascenders, such as b, d, h, k, l, t. The letter, f, in copperplate handwriting, has both an ascender and a descender.
Capital letters, normally, occupy the area between the base line and the ascender line, whereas the ascenders and descenders of the miniscule letters are held a little short of their corresponding ascender and descender lines.
The slanted lines show the angle, or slope, of writing.
Ascender line
Waist Line
Base Line
Descender Line
The slanted lines show the angle of writing, about 55 degrees from the horizontal base line.
Compare the slanted lines with the handwriting shown below and note how the writing is confined within the base line and the waist line, and the angle of writing is aligned to the slanted lines. Descenders and ascenders of the miniscule letters do not, necessarely, extend as far as the limit of the ascender and descender lines, whereas the capital B is almost touching the ascender line.
Rule Your Own Lined Paper
You can rule your own paper by using a set square. The width of the x-height is optional. In my school days we started with a height of about ten millimetres (3/8") and progressed down to about 3 millimetres (c. 5/16"). Finally, in the fifth year of primary school we were expected to write on a single line without ascenders or descenders lines; just the normal ruled notepad.
The slope line can be ruled with a protractor or using the ratio, three units to the horizontal and four units to the vertical: the diagonal of that virtual rectangle is approximately 55 degrees from the horizontal line. The angle of the slope line is not canonical and varies according to the style of fine handwriting. My own slope is around 70 degrees. Mistral's slope was even higher. To start with, use the 55 degree rule. If you should find it too "slopy" then draw slanted lines with a higher angle.
The ratio of the x-width to that of the ascender and descender lines is 3:2:3, hence if you make the x-height 3mm the descender and ascender lines are drawn at 4.5mm from the base line and waist line, respectively. In other words, whatever you make the x-height draw the other two lines at a distance half as much as the x-height.
The quality of the paper that you use is fairly important. A bonded type of paper ir recommended to avoid scratching or digging into the paper during the upstrokes. Deskjet economy printer paper is also usable but if you use a nib such as the "5005" (see Nibs Gallery) then expect some scratching during the upstrokes. This problem does not arise with nib tines ending in a ball; however, the hairlines may not be as thin as those produced with sharp pointed nibs.
Download a pdf file to print your own practice sheets:
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2- Ink and Ink Well
Any fountain pen ink, sold in bottles, is adequate. The usual colours are black, blue or blue-black. One of my favourites is the Waterman Sepia.
An inkstand with a groove on which to rest the dip pen is useful. Likewise, a piece of blotting paper is equally useful, or the old fashioned blotting pad is recommended.
3- Dip Pen and Nib
The dip pen is just a conical stylus made of plastic, wood or other materials, with one end hollowed to hold the nib. It is normally refered to as the pen holder. 
See the adjacent illustration showing a variety of pen holders.
The nib for copperplate handwriting needs to be fine pointed and flexible. It is different from the types of nibs used for calligraphy which have the point cut flat and broad, and come in different widths. It is the flexible quality of the nib that, through the applied hand pressure, will create the thick and thin lines typical of copperplate handwriting.
A rigid nib will not create thick and thin lines. Modern fountain pens use rigid nibs, hence they are not recommended, regrettably, for copperplate handwriting. Some vintage fountain pens, those made in the 1930s and 1940s used semiflexible gold nibs. If you find one, then that can be used for copperplate handwriting. Most nib manufacturers have lost the art of making flexible nibs for fountain pens, but nibs for dip pens are still made. That is the one we shall focus on.
Types of Nibs for Copperplate Handwriting
There are two main forms: the straight nib and the elbow nib. Either type must be pointed and flexible.
Broad edged calligraphy nibs are not suitable for copperplate handwriting.
Example of copperplate straight nib:
Copperplate 1: Crown Nib
Code: DP41
A fine nib specially suited to Copperplate handwriting.
Finish: Gilt (GB) and Bronze (BR)
Manufacturer: D. Leonardt & Co Ltd, Highley, Nr. Bridgnorth, Shropshire, WV16 6NN, England.
N.B.: For those readers thousands of miles from England, Highley is on the outskirts of Birmingham!
Example of copperplate elbow nib:
Wm. Mitchell Copperplate Elbow Nib
Code:
Finish: Bronze