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The ArtMetal Resource To Metalworking

To serve those interested in the various aspects of working artistically with metals, the ArtMetal Project brings to the Net this collection of metalworking resources.

If you can't find what you are looking for here, please go to the ArtMetal Village and use the search engine or check out what is going on in the Bramblebush. Many metalsmiths use the Bramblebush to post questions and get answers. Try it, you just might like it!

"Processes, methods, and apparatus presented herein have not been tested or verified by ArtMetal in any way. Anyone using any of this information is doing so at their own risk."

Material Descriptions Used in Metalworking

• Ferrous Metals
• Non Ferrous Metals
• Related Articles

Processes Used in Metal Fabrication

• Casting
• Forging
• Fabrication and Joinery

Finishes for Metal

• Ferrous Metal Finishes
• Non Ferrous Metal Finishes

Business, Design, Office Tools and Processes

• Business Matters
• Design Issues
• Drafting and Drawing
• Internet Practices
• Layout and Patterns
• Sculptural Practices

Safety in the Workplace

Literary Resources

Book Reviews

Metalsmith Suppliers (250 listed)

Coal and Coke Suppliers (24 listed)

Metalsmithing Schools (25 listed)

Additional Metalworking Resources on the Internet

Material Descriptions Used in Metalworking

Ferrous Metals

• Iron
• Stainless Steel
• Steel
  • Heat Treating of O1 Steel by Franklyn Garland
  • Heat Treating of S-7 Steel by Franklyn Garland
• Wrought Iron
  • "Clearing the Confusion Over Wrought Iron" by Todd Daniel

Non Ferrous Metals

• Aluminum
• Copper and Its Alloys
  • Brass
  • Copper
• Precious Metals
  • Gold
  • Silver
• Other Metals
  • Lead
  • Monel
  • Nickel
  • Niobium
  • Pewter
  • Titanium
  • Mokume-Gane Workshop by James E. Binnion

Related Articles

• How Electrochemistry Affects Corrosion By Steve Smith
• Composition and Physical Properties of Alloys

Processes Used in Metal Fabrication

Casting

• History
• Methods
  • Lost-wax Casting
  • Sand Casting
  • Experimental and Other Methods
• Source of Heat
  • Coal
  • Gas
    • Building an inexpensive small scale furnace for melting nonferrous metals by Hank Kaminsky
    • A Metal Melting Furnace by Klaas van Ditzhuyzen
  • Electricity
  • Wood
• Related Articles
  • How to Select a Foundry by Mark Parmenter
  • A Simple Method of Making Raised Letters for Casting by Hank Kaminsky

Forging

• Hot Forging
  • Basic techniques and processes
    • Forging a Taper - Basic hand forging and mechanical hammer techniques including a QuickTime movie clip - by Enrique Vega
  • History
    • The Medium is the Root of the Art by Walfrid Huber
  • Tooling
    • Rivet Heading Vise by Steve Hackbart
    • Two Shop Built Air Hammers Described by Bramble Bush
  • Sources of Heat
    • Charcoal
    • Coal
      • Cyberforge (264k) QuickTime movie of coal forge. (Best viewed by looping)
    • Gas
    • Electricity
  • Related Articles
    • The Joy of Sharpening by Mike de Punte
    • Tapered Ring Forging by Toby Hickman
    • SLEDGE Team Striking Part IV or Head and Shoulders by Jeffrey D. Knight
    • SLEDGE Part V or Just Toollin' Around by Franklyn Garland
• Cold Forging
  • History
  • Tooling
  • Related Articles
    • The Almighty Acanthus Leaf by Enrique Vega

Fabrication and Joinery

• Electric Welding
  • MIG
  • Stick
  • TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas)
  • Related Articles
• Oxygen Acetylene
  • The Nature of Acetylene Explained by Bramble Bush
  • Related Articles
• Traditional Joinery
  • Collaring
  • Forge Welding
  • Riveting
  • Soldering Non-Ferrous Metals by Dave Sebaste
  • Related Articles
    • Soldering Closed Objects by Bramble Bush
• Other
  • Discovering Leunens "secrets" - An interesting use of metal application
  • Fabrication of the Savannah Olympic Torch Sculpture by Ivan Bailey

Finishes for Metal

Ferrous Metal Finishes

• Chemical Surface Treatment (Patinas)
• Paint
• Tooling
• Related Articles

Non Ferrous Metal Finishes

• Chemical Surface Treatment (Patinas)
  • Anodizing by Bill Seeley
• Paint
• Tooling
• Related Articles
  • A Guide to Coloring Reactive Metals by Bill Seeley
  • A Hydrogen Peroxide H₂O₂ Pickle by Bill Seeley

Business, Design, Office Tools and Processes

•  
• Business Matters
  • Copyrights/Copywrongs by John S. Munday (Jack)
  • Copyrights/Copywrongs - Part II by John S. Munday (Jack)
  • Copyrights/Copywrongs - Part III by John S. Munday (Jack)
  • "Working with an Artist Blacksmith" - by Peter Parkinson
• Design Issues
  • "Expressive Design in Iron" - a Penland Symposium
• Drafting and Drawing
  • Computerized Techniques and Equipment
  • Manual Techniques and Equipment
  • Related Articles
    • "Creativity and Computer Go Hand in Hand" by Jürgen Kull
• Internet Practices
  • Commissioning of a Fireplace Screen on the Web by Enrique
• Layout and Patterns
  • Manual Techniques and Equipment
  • Related Articles
• Sculptural Practices
  • Manual Techniques and Equipment
  • Related Articles

Safety in the Workplace

• Fire Extinguishing Chemicals & What You Should Know About Them by Bramble Bush

Literary Resources

• Exploring the Library Resources Within Reach by Dr. Mark Williams

Book Reviews

• "Into the New Iron Age: Modern British Blacksmiths" by Amina Chatwin; Review by Cynthia Vega
• "Build Your Own Hydraulic Forging Press" by James L. Batson; Review by Enrique
• Hydraulic Die Forming For Jewelers and Metalsmiths by Susan Kingsly; Review by Keith Farley
• The Artist-Blacksmith's Craft by Julius Schramm; Review by Enrique
• "1995 Metal Arts Source Book" CD-ROM by: Bob Mitchell; Reviewed by: Keith Farley

Additional Metalworking Resources on the Internet

Following is a listing of other sites on the Internet that may have some interest to the metal enthusiast.

• rec.crafts.metalworking
• rec.crafts.jewelry
• Ecuadorian Blacksmith Plaza
• Smithsonian - National Museum of American Art - The White House Exhibit - Metalwork
• The Metalworking FAQ/Compendium
• Thomas Register Good place to find suppliers you can't find on our list