Introduction | Books | Magazines | Professional Resources | Related Articles | Sample Business Plans | Start-up Issues
Metalworking is the craft and practice of working with metals to create parts or structures. It requires skill and the use of many different types of tools, including:
| Hand Tools: | ||
|
Caliper Countersink Counterbore Combination square Cold Chisel Doming block |
File Gauge (engineering) Hacksaw Hammer Height gauge Machinist square |
Pliers Punches Scriber Taps and Dies Wrench |
| Machine Tools: | ||
|
Bandsaw Brake (box and pan) CNC Drill |
Flypress Grinding wheel Guillotine Lathe |
Milling machine Shaper Ironworker |
| Other: | ||
|
Collet Cutting fluid Dial indicator (dial gauge) Draw plate Drill bit Engineer's blue |
Knurling Magnetic base Marking blue Marking out Measuring tools Micrometer |
Pin chuck Tool bit Vernier calipers Welding/soldering equipment Wiggler |
Techniques
Casting is a process by which a material is introduced into a mold while it is liquid, allowed to solidify in the shape inside the mold, and then removed producing a fabricated object, part, or casing. Casting is often used for creating one or more copies of an original piece of sculptural (three-dimensional) artwork. It is also used extensively in the automobile manufacture industry, such as the casting of engine blocks or cylinder heads, or vacuum-forming of plastics and in the lost core process.
Casting may be used to form hot, liquid metals or meltable plastics (called thermoplastics), or various materials that cold set after mixing of components such as certain plastic resins (e.g. epoxy), water setting materials such as concrete or plaster, and materials that become liquid or paste when moist such as clay, which when dry enough to be rigid is removed from the mold, further dried, and fired in a kiln.
Forging is the term for shaping metal by use of heat and hammer. A basic smithy contains a forge, sometimes called a hearth for heating the metals (commonly iron or steel) to a temperature where work hardening ceases to accumulate, an anvil (to lay the metal pieces on while hammering), and a slack tub (to rapidly cool, and thus harden, forged metal pieces in). Tools include tongs to hold the hot metal, and hammers to strike the hot metal.
Once the final shape has been forged, iron and steel in particular often get some type of heat treatment. This can result in various degrees of hardening or softening depending on the details of the treatment.
Crimping is joining two pieces by deforming one or both of them to hold the other. The bend or deformity is called the crimp. It is not generally used of specialised connectors that are designed to be deformed, but only of workpieces. Crimping is commonly used to join bullets to their cartridge cases, and for rapid but lasting electrical connectors. Because it can be a cold-working technique, crimping can also be used to form a strong bond between the workpiece and a non-metallic component. Sometimes, a similar deformity created for reasons other than forming a join may also be called a crimp.
Business
Metalworking as a business is classified as an industry based on its purpose. It can be
in the manufacturing industry as a metal product (NAICS Code
331) if what is produced is a new product
to be sold. It can be in the arts industry if the metalworking is considered
to be a work of art (NAICS Code 711510),
rather than a product.
There are a variety of ways people make money from metalworking. Some sell their product locally, at trade shows or via the internet. Others sell original patterns or kits they have designed themselves. And, still others teach metalworking. The best way to learn more about the viabiiity of any of these business models is to participate in Professional Resources, subscribe to magazines that are related to your interests, and read books that give more in-depth information about the business.
Introduction | Books | Magazines | Professional Resources | Related Articles | Sample Business Plans | Start-up Issues
Art of Coppersmithing
A practical treatise on working sheet copper into all forms.
The Artist Blacksmith
Parkinson explains the tools, materials, and equipment needed by blacksmiths as well
as the most commonly used techniques. Numerous illustrations of beautiful creations
(such as gates, sculptures, household items, and furniture) appear throughout.
The Basic Guide to Pricing Your Craftwork
Basic formulas for pricing craftwork, retail or wholesale.
The Basic Guide to Selling Arts & Crafts
Step-by-step help on over 150 topics for marketing your home made crafts.
The Basic Guide to Selling Crafts on the Internet
Unravels the mysteries of selling crafts online with clear, step-by-step advice.
Business and Legal Forms for Crafts
A complete set of business and legal forms designed to meet the active craftperson's every need.
The Complete Handbook of Sand Casting
This book will treach you how to start from scratch, build your own furnace, and how
to make the anciliary equipment. Most importantly it is written by one of the experts
in the field, he will take stepby step through your first casting, and teach you how
to figure out what went wrong.
The Complete Metalsmith: An Illustrated Handbook
Best techniques of working with gold, platinum, copper, brass, steel, plaster, and more.
Complete Metalsmith, Professional Edition
Detailed, accurate, and filled with many useful diagrams.
The Colouring, Bronzing and Patination of Metals
Hundreds of recipes and techniques providing the artist-craftsman with a wide range of
coloured finishes.
The Craft of the Japanese Sword
The first book in English devoted entirely to contemporary sword manufacture, and is thus
of enormous value to metal artists everywhere, as well as to collectors and students of weaponry.
Crafting as a Business
How to develop a thriving retail business.
Crafting for Dollars
Covers every aspect of starting and managing your own craft-based business.
Crafts and Crafts Shows
Good business practice in dealing with customers, pricing, and presentation in the show booth.
The Crafts Business Answer Book & Resource Guide
Answers to questions about starting, marketing, and managing a homebased business
efficiently, legally, and profitably.
Handmade for Profit
Hundreds of secrets to success in selling arts & crafts.
Make It Profitable!
The best ideas and information from 80 professionals in various fields of the craft industry.
Home Machinists Handbook
Everything the do-it-yourselfer needs to set up, and operate a handy-man's machine shop.
Areas covered range from shop requirements and proper lighting to buying, using, and
storing tools.
Master Bladesmith: Advanced Studies in Steel
This advanced study of steel reveals forging secrets that for centuries have been
protected by guilds. Never-before-seen instructions, diagrams and photos explain
the tricks behind using Japanese mokume gane, differential heat treating, power hammers,
and other techniques to make kukris, wavy blades, spears and swords that bear the master's mark.
Metal Fabricator's Handbook
Fabrication techniques for race, custom and restoration use.
Practical Blacksmithing and Metalworking
Using simple instructions and first-rate, detailed illustrations, Blandford makes it
easy for the novice to learn this craft, while offering project variations complex
enough to challenge even the experienced blacksmith or metalworker.
Publish Your Patterns
How to write, print, and market your designs.
Techniques of Medieval Armour Reproduction
Through more than 1,000 detailed photos and clear instruction, Brian Price presents a
working handbook for aspiring and active armourers who want to develop their skills
in the production of medieval armour in the style of the 14th century. The book is
divided into four sections: a sweeping history of armour and its production from its
medieval roots to its modern revival; a practical introduction to all the tools and
supplies necessary to equip a modern workshop; a thorough review of key techniques;
and a series of actual courses in constructing armoured defenses for the head, body,
arm, hand and leg.
Treasury of Ironwork Designs
Superb examples of the ironworker's art - elaborately wrought designs for gates,
fences, finials, banisters, window grilles, signs, marquees, cathedral screens and
a host of other architectural and decorative appointments, from Gothic style to
Art Nouveau - meticulously rendered in fine black-and-white drawings reprinted from
rare European and American books and periodicals.
Your Crafts Business: A Legal Guide
Explains legal principles that protect a crafts business and help it grow. It also
provides practical advice on how to deal with day-to-day problems -- such as dealing
with delinquent payments. The book provides over a dozen tear-out contracts and other
legal forms, plus step-by-step instructions to fill them out.
Introduction | Books | Magazines | Professional Resources | Related Articles | Sample Business Plans | Start-up Issues
American Artist
Widely read and respected resource featuring paintings, drawings and sculptures
of artists in a variety of mediums. A source of inspiration to begining and seasoned artists.
American Craft
Celebrates contemporary craft, focusing on achievements in the craft media.
Metal Finishing
Strives to keep readers informed on the practical and technical aspects of finishing
metal and plastic products, including waste treatment and pollution control.
Metalsmith
Documents & analyzes jewlery & metal working, with an emphasis on contemporary ideas,
critical issues & relevant historical work.
Modern Casting
Published for producers of metal castings. Covers all technical management, marketing
and operating aspects of foundry production. Special emphasis on latest technologies.
Ornament
International publication devoted personal adornment, covering ancient, ethic &
contemporary jewelry, beads & historic and artist-made clothing.
Sculpture
Covers news and issues related to contemporary sculpture.
