What exactly is Metalworking? Metalworking is the art of shaping and forming metals to make useful objects, tools, equipment, parts, and fixtures. Metalworking projects usually fall under the general categories of cutting, shaping, and joining, which can involve different techniques including forging, drilling, punching, stamping, etc. Most metalworkers are self-employed and work for themselves by spending much of their time learning how to do simple metalworking and then perfecting it to make their own unique designs. People who perform this art can earn a living by selling their services or start a business selling decorative metalwork. If you are thinking of starting a do it yourself metalworking business, here are some important things that you should know about making a good living with this craft.
The primary step to making a living out of do it yourself metalworking is learning how to use tools effectively. Learning how to use tools effectively means being able to shape metals into useful tools and fixtures with minimal effort. Metalworking machines used in cutting and forming are fast and easy to use, but the art of forming also requires knowledge and experience in using them. A metalworker’s hands are an invaluable tool in forming metals, but without the proper knowledge, these hand tools can be hard to manipulate and control.
There are different types of machines that are used in metalworking. Two types of machines that are most often used in metalworking are turning and milling machines. Turning machines are generally used for forming metals by turning the metal into its shape. Milling machines use directed gas Mills to speed up the process of metal cutting and forming.
To help with heavy duty work, many machines use a drilling or tapping action to remove material. The two most common machines are the hammer drill press and the drill press mounted on a stand. The stand is typically used when there is little room to move around the workpiece while the drilling or tapping action is taking place. For small to medium duty projects, a drill press can usually be used to quickly remove material from a workpiece.
There are several different kinds of tools in the metalworking industry. Each tool has a particular use and benefit when it comes to metalworking. A band saw is primarily used for detailed curved cuts. Routers are often used when the user is doing a very intricate cross cut. Dremels are often used when a person is trying to create a very sharp angle or curve in the piece of metal. Pliers are important in creating sharp and accurate cuts.
A variety of metalworking techniques are used by metalworkers. These techniques can range from simple hand tools that do simple hand operations to elaborate power operated machines. Metalworkers often use hand saws to do detailed cuts out of metals with intricate designs. Larger and more power operated machines are used to do detailed cross cuts and angled cuts in metals.
Power metalworking tools include lathes, grinders, plasma torches, sanders and belt grinders. A lathe is used to produce a desired shape from a large sheet of steel. Grinding wheels are used to obtain the desired shape. The plasma torch is used for heating metals in order to produce the metal at a temperature close to the melting point of the piece being formed.
Metalworking techniques and equipment are readily available through online instructional companies and dealers. If you are considering a hobby or career as a metalworker, you should learn metalworking skills at a local trade school or shop. You can also learn metalworking at home through the use of DVD’s and on-line instructional programs. These instructional programs can be found in many different types of formats and offer a wide variety of topics.
