I remember sitting at my old workbench back in the late eighties, staring at a set of cheap, mass-produced engraving tools that felt more like toys than actual implements. I was trying to etch a simple maker’s mark into a Continue reading Choosing Tools for Metal Engraving
I remember standing over a workbench back in ’84, staring at a piece of rolled steel that looked smooth enough to eat off of, only to realize the finish was so inconsistent it was practically useless for the precision jig Continue reading Creating Different Textures on Metal Surfaces
Most folks will tell you that once a piece of sheet metal is buckled or creased, it’s a lost cause unless you’re looking to replace the whole damn panel. They’ll point you toward a shop with a massive invoice and Continue reading Techniques for Repairing Metal Dents
I remember standing over a workbench back in ’84, staring at a beautifully machined brass fitting that I’d just ruined because I thought I could skip the degreasing step and head straight for the tank. The smell of scorched chemicals Continue reading An Introduction to Metal Plating
I remember standing in a fabrication shop back in ’84, watching a young apprentice trip over a tangled mess of welding leads and scrap pile just to reach a grinder. The shop was a disaster, a chaotic jumble of expensive Continue reading Designing a Functional Metalworking Workshop
I remember a Tuesday back in ’88, working a heavy fabrication job on a custom chassis. I was halfway through a critical weld when one of those cheap, flimsy C-clamps I’d picked up to save a few bucks decided to Continue reading Holding Metal Securely for Work
I remember standing over a workbench back in ’84, staring at a ruined piece of high-carbon steel because I’d used some cheap, off-brand quenching oil that didn’t have the right properties. The smell of scorched metal and failed potential is Continue reading Common Chemicals Used in Metal Shops
I remember standing over a slab of granite back in ’84, watching a young apprentice try to force a heavy steel bracket into a pre-drilled hole using nothing but a sledgehammer and sheer stubbornness. The sound of that stone cracking Continue reading Attaching Metal to Stone Surfaces
I remember standing over a workbench back in ’84, staring at a cracked housing on a piece of heavy machinery that should have been a simple fix. I’d spent three hours trying to force a cheap, off-the-shelf epoxy to do Continue reading Using Adhesives in Metalwork
I remember standing in a client’s workshop back in ’88, watching a young lad try to force a heavy steel bracket into a piece of seasoned oak using nothing but brute force and some cheap, hardware-store screws. The wood groaned, Continue reading Joining Metal Components to Wood