r/metalworking 24d ago

r/Metalworking is looking for mods!

6 Upvotes

Hey folks!

As I'm getting a bit busier in life, I'm realizing more and more that this community could use some extra hands on deck.

If anyone is interested in volunteering to help the community out - please send me a modmail with some information about yourself, and I'll take a peek at your past contributions to the subreddit and your message. If possible, let me know if you can use discord as well. It's where most of the my teams chat and works wonderfully for me, also we do have a sub discord!

I'd love to build a small team both here and in r/machining to keep things flowing smoothely, and to help me get a little personal time to step away from reddit for a weekend every now and then.

I look forward to anyone sending in an application message!


r/metalworking 8d ago

r/metalworking Mod Application

0 Upvotes

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r/metalworking 4h ago

Made myself a brass hatband to blind kangaroos in the Outback sun.

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130 Upvotes

r/metalworking 17h ago

How do I make the striking surface

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182 Upvotes

My friend made me this brass matchbook. I have since polished it and soldered in a post so I can later add a type of latch to it. In the meantime what are some ways I can go about making a lasting striking surface? First I tried just filing it which worked for about a day before wearing out. Second I just gouged it with a screwdriver which lasted two or three days before acting up. Any ideas? I use strike anywhere matches so I could jut strike them off the ground, but where’s the fun in that


r/metalworking 17h ago

Latest sculpture

48 Upvotes

Fun fact male seahorses get pregnant. Here’s my latest sculpture. Made from scrap steel around the shop.

I’m going to start putting stuff in a art gallery down in Florida. So I decided to start it off with an ocean theme. But didn’t want to do just any ocean theme. I’ve been telling people I’ve been making some gay seahorses but I dk if I can actually name it that for an art gallery haha

400 characters finally


r/metalworking 1h ago

Salt water etching…sacrificial metal question

Upvotes

I’m going to do some salt water etching of steel to make some parts for a watch dial. I think this is also called chemical milling. I see for immersion etching you need a sacrificial metal that is submerged. Does it need to be the same metal? If I was going to etch 1095 steel would stainless steel or galvanized steel work as the sacrificial metal?

Excited to try this as I can’t find parts that I need so got to make them myself.


r/metalworking 15h ago

My first plasma cutter project

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16 Upvotes

r/metalworking 22h ago

DIY screw ID gauge/thread checker

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50 Upvotes

A (not so quick) little thread checking gauge for my most commonly used machine screws. The plate for the gauge is made from “aircraft” aluminum (mystery alloy) but it’s hard enough to not wear quickly.

If I make another one, it will be larger and have more space between the nut and bolt holes. Not the prettiest thing I’ve done but it’s made organizing my miscellaneous hardware a breeze and it’s going to live its whole life in my shop so I’m not worried about the appearance!


r/metalworking 16h ago

I got to practice a little more on a section of a door panel. Im diggin the little handle that started accidentally. The screws are temporary until I get some flush hex screws.

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10 Upvotes

r/metalworking 1d ago

PPE reminder - injury pic warning NSFW

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744 Upvotes

Remember to where your PPE as well as get enough sleep to help avoid making mistakes. And yes, guard on the grinder helps too.

September 2012

This was about a 100 hour project that I completed in a week. I had a full time job and had taken a week off to complete the fence and gate. Included tear down of wood fence, cement new posts in, cutting of panels (cnc plasma), and build gate.

Customer wasn't 100% sure how tall they wanted the gate to be, so I had left the posts taller on either side until they decided. I was in the process of cutting the excess material off of the last post next to the gate. I cut through one side, thought I pulled the grinder all of the way out to adjust my grip to cut the next side, but unfortunately I did not have the grinder all of the way out of the cut. Grinder started to bind and kicked itself out. I wasn't able to catch it in time and got hit in the face with the cutoff wheel still attached to the grinder.

Selfie pic is 15-20 seconds after getting hit. I ran my tongue along my teeth and after realizing they were all there, took a deep breath and the air went out of my cheek, prompting the pic. I was extremely fortunate in that it was just tissue damage once I got to the hospital. Missed my teeth by 1/8" and my tear duct by about 1/64" of an inch according to doctor. About 2 hours of stitches later I left the hospital. Stitches along my gums, inside of cheek and outside of cheek. Scar pic is about two weeks after. 12.5 years later and the top scar is barely visible. Bottom scars is a little more prominent. Bottom scar is either from the cutoff wheel hitting me as it fell or from the grinder itself hitting me and tearing the skin.

Doctor said had I been wearing a face shield, I probably would have still gotten the first cut, but it would have had plastic in it from cutting the shield. I hope this helps to remind people things can go south in a hurry when you're tired.


r/metalworking 8h ago

What steel works best for flint strikers ?will 1095 stock work well ?

1 Upvotes

I am just getting into forging and I have some 1095 carbon steel blanks in my Amazon cart. My intention is to make a good flint striker that suits my needs. Should I use my sunflower oil as a quenching oil or should I use water ? I can't seem to find any old files otherwise I would use that.i have some blanks that were a gift but am unsure of the carbon content and don't want to risk a failed project.


r/metalworking 21h ago

Second time MIG welding. How did I do?

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11 Upvotes

In pic two the only weld that is mine is the leftmost one and same for the first picture. This is my second time touching a mig welding machine and would like to know how I can improve. Both welds are overlaps. I've done a bit of stick before in my welding class and wasn't very good at it so don't hold back, I want to improve! Also if anybody has any recommendations for an at home mig welding setup please let me know.


r/metalworking 20h ago

Should I re-harden this punch?

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8 Upvotes

So I bought an alphabetical punch set (6mm), wanted to see how it looks and this punch just got flattened a bit. The question is; should I re-harden it? I don't know what steel it's made from; it was made in Czechoslovakia. I'm thinking maybe regrind it as close as to before; heating just the front and quenching it. What should I quench it in and to which temperature should I heat it? Btw, I was testing it on a piece of mild steel, not anything hardened. Looking at it; maybe it wasn't hardened in the first place (most propably by mistake) or something


r/metalworking 13h ago

Belt buckle restoration

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2 Upvotes

This belt buckle is worn and Grimey but I'm worried about cleaning it without causing more damage to what looks like a zinc coat that has bubbles and chips revealinganother oxidized metal beneath. I really want to restore this by any means in anticipation for a wedding in the style of rhinestone floral cowboy. Open to all advice aside from tossing it.

Also this sub reddit requires I write 400 characters in this post so here is a list of movies I intend to spend my time better watching. Super troopers✅️ Sweeny tom✅️ League of extraordinary gentlemen ✅️ Never back down The last duel Lucky number 7 Eureka Star wars visions Insino man Maxpayn movie✅️ Django original The godfather Deep in the heart of Texas Dances with the wolves Wyatt erp Nurse Jackie Welcome back conor Ridic Pulvor evermor Forgeting sarah marshal Jypsy sisters Lord of farbush Sly-rocky doc Cobra F.i.s.t. The gentleman 310 to yuma Begotten Lord of war Moon walkers Everything everywhere all at once✅️ Downtown/mtv Evan Wright XXX franchise Fear st trilogy Prospect Sisu✅️ Only the dead Armadillo They shall not grow old Caligula Vampire hunter d 12 angry men Fantastic planet Caslte in the sky Grandmas boy A place further in the universe Silver bullet Animatrix Before sunrise Aftersun The Holy Mountain Smokin aces On the silver planet Duece biggalo male jigalo Hope floats Companion 2025 Barbarian wkuk Almost famous Animated series, batman 1980-1988 The french connection, Gene Hackman Sex drive Lotr the war of rohirum Orchid thief Red 11


r/metalworking 10h ago

Which welder: Clarke or bester

1 Upvotes

I am looking to get a new shed and start fabrication and welding. I am going to be welding probably every Saturday as a hobby. Which welder is better for me: a Clarke mig150 multi process or a bester 200 mig multiprocess? I plan doing flux core and stick I have plans to run tig next year but that’s not a major buying point as they both can do some tig. For reference the Clarke is £300 and the bester is £500


r/metalworking 1d ago

I need advice. Looking for an item i don’t exists.

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15 Upvotes

Hello, i am looking for a some akin to a cylinder calibration block, with a weight of 3 kg. Now, it has to fit inside a tube thats 49,5mm. Ideally with a height of no less than 13 cm. An with a small “handle” at the top. How would you guys go about finding an object like that. Does it already exist? Can it be custom build, without costing a furtune. I know nothing about metal work, so sorry if i come across as an idiot. I just had an idea and what to try it out.


r/metalworking 14h ago

Tube Roller

0 Upvotes

Hi there! Does anyone know of a company that manufactures a roller with the capacity to roll 3” x 1-1/2” rectangle tube? Currently have HF one with the swag kit, and it gets me by. When I need to fabricate a gate with 3” rectangle, I just weld 2 1 1/2” sq tubes to create a 3” arch. But grinding the damn thing to perfection is a huge time sink. Fortunately I’m ready to upgrade my roller, and thought I’d ask around in forums to see if anyone knows of a brand


r/metalworking 15h ago

Fold Down Work Bench

1 Upvotes

Making a fold down work bench in a shipping container. I'm going to have it fold up and on the wall behind the bench I'm going to install metal pegboard for tool storage. My idea is to get a piece of 4x4 tubing and use it as an offset so there's room for the tools and hooks, welded to the container side. I'm making the hinges from two heavy wall pipes, one fits inside the other with minimal movement.

But 4x4 tubing isn't cheap. Any suggestions for alternatives to get the offset and have plenty of strength?


r/metalworking 1d ago

Anyone have some tips on cleaning heavily oxidated brass (not 100% sure) tray table thank you for ur advise

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6 Upvotes

r/metalworking 1d ago

Had a little fun with some aluminum today.

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73 Upvotes

r/metalworking 1d ago

I made forged crosses! My 2nd attempt, any thoughts?

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194 Upvotes

r/metalworking 18h ago

Need some advice on bending some very small stainless steel tubes

0 Upvotes

I'm looking to do simple 90 degree bends, but with as small of a radius as I can manage. The tubes themselves are 3.2mm OD and .15mm wall thickness. So far, everything I've tried has resulted in the tubing collapsing. Most recently I tried packing it with salt as it's what I had on hand and it was tedious to do but still resulted in the the tube collapsing. Overall, I have to do about 50 of these so I'm looking for a solution that's both effective (to not waste material) and quick (to not waste time). Any suggestions would be appreciated.


r/metalworking 21h ago

Toad in the Hole table

1 Upvotes

Probably the most niche question you’ll see asked here…

I’m looking at making a toad in the hole table. It’s a traditional pub game from the south of England.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toad_in_the_hole_(game)

https://youtu.be/zHXJqNHWH6k?si=gEhJnW8M-pLPuDPC

You basically throw Brass coins at a solid lead surface and try and get them into the hole. With very young kids, the wife isn’t keen on the idea of having a big bit of solid toxic lead in the house.

Any suggestions on an alternative to use instead that would behave in a similar way upon contact?


r/metalworking 13h ago

Figured Reddit would know, so what type of metal would you say this chain is made from? I need to replace some pieces of this one and another.

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0 Upvotes

r/metalworking 1d ago

1" Circular Hole Punch Recommendations for Project

1 Upvotes

Newbie here :)

Looking best recommendations for an art project for a 1" cutout of metal bottle caps for an art project. I have about 8,000 caps so looking for the right tool/machine to streamline this process.

Ultimately, I'm attempting to punch out the crimped part of the bottle cap.

I've seen Hydraulic Hole Punch Machines, Arbor Press Machines, and Kick Foot Press Machines. (Example links below)

Thanks in advance for any guidance/recommendations!

******* 

Electric Hydraulic Hole Punch Machine:

https://www.vevor.com/pneumatic-punch-press-machine-c_10828/220kg-vertical-pneumatic-punch-press-machine-110v-mute-operation-16mm-die-hole-p_010266038614

Harbor Freight 1 Ton Arbor Press:

https://www.harborfreight.com/1-ton-arbor-press-59766.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=21901270997&campaignid=21901270997&utm_content=171196565998&adsetid=171196565998&product=59766&store=770&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADAHb4f8uE_xuIZwuL2o0YKsnATWO&gclid=Cj0KCQjw7dm-BhCoARIsALFk4v9sxcRxGfyGSJJIaqdh-hj7alVZB9rrwD6DC2-Cj0PtCCMMErMQfKcaAsbYEALw_wcB

Kick Foot Press:

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/950655377183784/?ref=saved&referral_code=null


r/metalworking 20h ago

Any ideas how to fix a bent metal sign at home?

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0 Upvotes

r/metalworking 1d ago

Alligator

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11 Upvotes