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What do you envision when you think of metal working? Sparks flying off a curved metal car hood? Tools turning to molten lava? Welders operating dangerous pieces of equipment that can launch a finger off in a split second of disconcentration? Metal working is far more than crafting and molding metals to fix industrial structures and automobiles. It is a fully-fledged hobby that is an art and a craft. Metal working requires hand tools, machine tools, bits & pieces, and specialized techniques to turn lumped metal into a masterpiece.
Metalworking Tools
The entourage of metalworking toolsgoes on and on. You have hand tools i.e. the prototypical hammer that delivers pounding to nails and break things up. In addition, you have chisels, which carve and cut metals to form different shapes. Chisels can be either used manually or combined with a hammer to drive force into the cut material. Unlike woodworking chisels, metalworking chisels come in two forms: hot and cold. Hot chisels are dipped into a hearth to soften up the hard metal before cutting, making it easier overall. What about an assortment of cutting/gripping pliers to grip your metal bolts to turn and pull them? Without questions, pliers are the most versatile metal working tools today. Flat nose, needle nose with long jaws for close quarter gripping, locking pliers - they come in many forms of operation! Don't forget taps and dies, versatile pieces that cut and repair screw threads in metal parts like bolts. Boss Tools has a complete supply of these excellent metal working tools, with six sets to choose from ranging from 26 pieces to 45 pieces including one tapping tool.
Another example of hand metal working tools is the hacksaw. In the layman's view, sawing can be reserved for the wood shoppers, but metal working does have their own line of hacksaws to cut. They are neatly and ergonomically designed, with a basic hacksaw consisting of a metal arch serving as a handle with a sharp, toothed blade attached. Its design allows the operator to pull away and back, chomping into the metal. Hacksaws are also sheet metal tools as well without the frame, which can hinder the operator's ability to cut large, long pieces of sheet metal.
Another added dimension of metalworking tools to metal working are its wide assortment of machine tools, where a power source (primarily electricity) is responsible for powering it. You have the traditional band saw which blades lie in between two wheels to cut irregular shapes onto metal ( a 9" band saw is available at Boss Tools.) Enthusiasts also have the basic drill that rip neat holes through pieces of metal for many users. The complex and dynamic lathe also constitute a spot in the metalworking tools/ abrasive cutting tools club, used for creating symmetrical pieces of metal by spinning it on a surface (called the tool post). Metal bats, chair legs, and other evenly shaped pieces of crafted metal can be produced with this machine. At Boss Tools, we have a 7 piece metal lathe accessory kit in addition to a lathe chisel set. With three gouge tools, a spear point, round nose, parting, and skew tools in the mix - crafting and shaping your already perfectly rounded metals can be achieved. And finally, you have shears and related accessories that can cut through rod steel, square steel, and flat steel on a flat surface. What a bona fide group of tools for the metal aficionados.
Sheet metals also have their own unique line of sheet metal tools designed for cutting. Precise, accurate cuts on sheet metal and sheet aluminum can be achieved with the use of a guillotine, an angled blade that is thrown down along a cut length that shears it off. Instead of going straight down and cutting it forcefully, guillotines work with sheet metal by working at an angle to slice. Slicing sheet metal almost always guarantees a smooth cut, especially if they are electric. Just think of scissors and how fine line your cuts on paper are. Keep in mind: sheet metal is measured by its thickness (gauges). The higher the gauge number, the less thick it is and vice versa. Aviation snips (the equivalent of sheet metal scissors) can be used for high gauge sheet metal and come with many unique handles designed for cutting straight through or left/right cutting handles that are used according to operator comfort. To fasten sheet metal together, just drill a hole and insert sheet metal screws into it. Pop rivets can also be used for this purpose as well, although they are impossible to remove. As with all work shopping endeavors, exercise plenty of caution! Sheet metal can rip right through your skin, sending you to the emergency unit. Wear durable clothing and pads to safeguard against sharp corners and wear gloves to protect against small sheared off metal pieces. Goggles and earmuffs are also highly recommended while slicing with saws - scratch that, mandatory.
With all of the aforementioned tools and techniques, you'll be on your way to conquering any metal working project.
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