Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with metalwork

Where in Los Angeles can I Cut and Drill Metal Plates?

VikingSword — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:38:57 -0800

Recommendations for Los Angeles: machine shop - metal work. I have a little project that's extremely simple, but I don't have the tools.

I need some flat metal plates - steel or hard aluminum - cut to a specific size. The plates would be pretty thick 0.25", sizes of 4"x36" and 8"x8".

I also need several holes drilled into these plates of specific diameter and exact placement.

But first, I need to acquire the metal sheets and plates so I can have them cut to size and drilled.

Where can I (a)obtain the steel and/or aluminum plates/sheets 0.25" thick approx 8"x8" and 4"x36" and (b)have them cut and drilled in specific ways?

This machine shop - metal work (maybe even a DIY hobby place) can be anywhere in Los Angeles, though West side - Hollywood area is a plus. Hopefully won't cost an arm and a leg. TIA!

Oh venerable master machinests, I beseech you!

StickyCarpet — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 13:30:13 -0800

Designing a COMPUTER CONTROLLED MILLING MACHINE, small, very precise, and specialized to one type of task. Help me understand the bits and drills that will do the actual carving of the metal. This machine will take flat slabs of metal about the size of an index card, and carve dimples and grooves into the horizontal surface.

The dimples are small, precisely hemispherical, at a depth of one radius of the sphere, and in any case never deeper than the diameter of the sphere.

The size of the hemispherical removal of the metal must support a diameter of 1/25" at the largest, and 1/250" at the smallest, although I'd go to 1/1000" if it wasn't too much extra trouble.

I have a positionable X-Y stage to serve as a table (top of the line Aerotech, already have it lying around.) I imagine a drill bit at a fixed location that can be raised and lowered with precision, the metal blank is on the table and is moved around under the drill to locate the contact point.

QUESTIONS:

1) A drill with a precisely shaped tip could repeatedly drill a vast number of hemispherical dimples to create a channel, just operating up and down. (time is not an issue) What kind of half round bit could cut the channels laterally, like a router?

2) Can I purchase such bits off the shelf? Can I sharpen or reshape the bit tip if it becomes deformed with wear? What would it take to make my own bits, or can I get a blank, say cylindrical bit, and shape the hemispherical business end myself?

3) The specific metal being carved is not so important, what would be a workable metal soft enough to go easy on the bits?

4) Should I ditch the whole bit idea with a laser or some such? The X-Y stage has an MSRP of about $75K, I wouldn't want to go into that ballpark again. And I'd also like to have some way of tinkering with surplus parts that I could get a deal on, during the early development.

Help me duplicate this unique trophy

Flying Saucer — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 09:48:25 -0800

I am trying to duplicate a unique trophy any way possible. I recently won this trophy.

I'd like to share it with some other people involved in my success by making as close a copy as possible -- multiple copies, in fact.

I'm asking Mefites for any method they can think of, from creating it myself to hiring a trophy manufacturer. Cheap, reasonable, or expensive; it doesn't matter. I'd like to hear all options.

Thanks.

Tell Me How to Solder Stuff

pineapple — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 18:25:14 -0800

What can you tell me about soldering? Not the electronic kind, but more for crafty/domestic purposes. Bonus if you know anything about metalwork. I checked this thread, but I don't think the question or answers apply to what I want to do.

The overview of the project is that I want to permanently affix some silverware to a wire frame. This is strictly a décor thing, so I am not worried about it being able to support weight, or be food-safe, etc.

I could use smaller-gauge wire for attaching, but I think it will look ugly and bulky, and make the project look more rustic when I want a clean, streamlined look. Plus, then the pieces will wiggle ever so slightly, and I want them to be firm. I think soldering is what I want, but what I know about soldering would fit on the head of a pin.

Do you have any suggestions for websites that might offer tutorials? Suggestions on equipment, stores, anything? I'm a total novice at metal crafting, so all help is appreciated!

Help me melt some silver.

snsranch — Tue, 05 Sep 2006 16:30:34 -0800

Metal Working Filter: My kids found a destroyed watch that is made of 925 silver. Is the metal soft enough for us to melt down to create an ingot or something? Perhaps pour it into a mold? The watch is destroyed, obviously been run over by cars. The band and case are marked as 925 silver. Ofcourse I would remove all of the non-silver pins and stuff.

Can I make a crucible out of clay? Use an iron skellet? I have no idea how hot this needs to be for it to melt. I've done some searching but have only learned that the metal is an alloy stronger than pure silver which I understand is pretty malleable.

I do have a plumbing torch. Any ideas?

Adventures in modding for the non tool inclined.

richter_x — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 18:28:52 -0800

Adventures in computer case modding for someone who's never done anything remotely close to it... I've decided to try my hand at some arts and crafts for the nerd in me, case modding. Mind you, i've never done any type pf thing like this before, computer related or otherwise. The last time I picked up a tool (aside from a chainsaw in the 2004 hurricanes in Florida) was shop class way back in high school. MeFites, can you help me answer these questions?

1.) I'm looking for a paint that will work uniformly well on plastic (front bezel) and metal (top and side shell). The case is the shell of an old IBM PC 300PL (6565).
1a.) Where can I get said paint from question 1?
2.) Should I sand the metal before painting the top and sides?
3.) Do I need to prime or do a white base coat before painting this black?
4.) What kind of safety precautions should I use while doing this? (besides the obvious, no flames)

Where can I buy sheets of stainless steel for general outdoor projects?

mathowie — Wed, 29 Jun 2005 13:12:52 -0800

Where can I find stainless steel for outdoor garden use and how do I buy it? I've seen lots of British garden shows that feature really slick looking garden accents done in stainless steel. Sometimes it's a 6-inch wide cap for lawn edging, sometimes it's used for crazy water features like this one.

I'm building some long low planter boxes to put on a deck and if I could clad them in thin stainless sheets I think it'd make an amazing contrast and look. Googling around for stainless steel turns up all sorts of industrial suppliers making round tubing and the sheets I can find come in zillions of thicknesses and grades. I've looked at large general home centers like Home Depot and Lowes, but haven't found anything there either.

I want the end result to look something like the square planter here, but you know, silver.

Any ideas where to find sheets of stainless steel that isn't too pricey? Any idea how easy it is to bend with proper tools?