What is the history of rolled alloys?
You typed “What is the history of rolled alloys?” into your search bar, and you probably got a confusing set of results. Some pages started talking about ancient history, blacksmiths, and steel mills. Others showed you the logo of a modern corporation with locations in Ohio and Michigan. So which is it? Is it a […]
What is a rubber gasket for?
You’ve seen them your whole life. The flat black ring in a garden hose coupling. The flimsy-looking seal you have to pry out of the lid of a jam jar. The intricately shaped-piece you find in the box for a new car water pump. They seem insignificant, cheap, and disposable. You might not even know […]
What does metal fab do?
Question The Short Answer What does metal fab do? It takes raw metal (like sheets, bars, and tubes) and cuts, bends, and assembles it to create a finished product or structure. Is metal fabrication just welding? No. Welding is a part of fabrication—a very important part—but it’s just one tool in the toolbox used for joining metal. […]
What causes dross in welding?
Question The Short Answer What is dross in welding? This is a common but critical confusion. Dross is from thermal cutting (like plasma). The waste from welding (like stick welding) is called slag. They are not the same thing. What causes dross formation? An incorrect “recipe” of cutting parameters. The three main causes are: 1) Wrong Travel Speed (too fast or too […]
What is the cheapest type of sheet metal?
You walked in here and asked a simple question: “What is the cheapest type of sheet metal?” It’s the first question everyone asks. It seems logical. It seems practical. And if you’re not careful, it’s the question that will ruin your project, waste your time, and cost you more money in the long run. My […]
What is the best tool to cut metal?
Alright, let’s get straight to it. You’re standing in your workshop, a piece of metal in one hand and a project in your head. You need to cut the metal. You go online and type, “What is the best tool to cut metal?” That is the wrong question. It’s like asking a doctor, “What is […]
Is aluminum a metal or nonmetal?
Clive here. Let’s get one thing straight. The question, “Is aluminum a metal?” might sound like a primary school science quiz. And in some ways, it is. But the fact that you’re searching for the answer tells me something important: aluminum doesn’t always act the way you expect a metal to. It’s ridiculously light compared […]
Can the swelling and warping be reversed?
Core Question Can the swelling and warping of wood be reversed? Quick Answer Swelling can be reversed through slow, controlled drying, but the wood may not return to its original shape. Warping is a permanent deformation of the wood’s cellular structure; it can sometimes be mitigated or forced flat, but it can almost never be truly “reversed” to […]
Is 16 gauge steel strong?
Primary Question Is 16 Gauge Steel Strong? Clive’s Direct Answer That is the wrong question. A 16-gauge steel shelf is strong enough to hold your books. A 16-gauge steel car chassis is a death trap. Strength is not a property of the gauge alone; it is a result of Thickness, Material Type, and Geometry. The question is […]
What is the best glue for metal to metal?
Clive here. Let’s talk about a question that reeks of frustration. I can practically smell it. You’re standing there, holding two pieces of metal that used to be one. Maybe it’s the handle of a heavy cast iron pot, a broken bracket on a piece of machinery, or a piece of decorative trim that’s come […]
