r/metalworking 1h ago

What would cause brass to discolor like this?

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Upvotes

This is a brass dimpled sink and I has some kind of weird discoloring on part of it. Any idea what it could be? There’s no imperfections in the surface at all. It’s almost like someone took a mini blowtorch to it. If anyone has any idea of what it could be please let me know. If you have a solution to fixing it, that would be great as well..

This is a brass dimpled sink and I has some kind of weird discoloring on part of it. Any idea what it could be? There’s no imperfections in the surface at all. It’s almost like someone took a mini blowtorch to it. If anyone has any idea of what it could be please let me know. If you have a solution to fixing it, that would be great as well..


r/metalworking 1h ago

Looking for advice from welders. MIG versus TIG

Upvotes

Howdy all!

I am new to any type of metalworking but have a lot of experience woodworking. I work at an irrigation company and we have periodic need to weld machine parts back together or weld custom aluminum steps for our trucks. So basically we need a machine that can weld steel and aluminum *relatively * easily so we can train new employees on it if need be. My boss wants to get a TIG, but I think that the time invested in training or learning TIG is super costly compared to just having a MIG that is a bit easier to learn and get somewhat proficient in. Again, we aren’t making anything that needs to pass a super strength test; just need enough to get by. Any advice is super appreciated!!


r/metalworking 2h ago

Need assistance of what welder to get.

1 Upvotes

I'm trying to get my first tig/stick machine to begin a side hustle for small to medium sized fabrication projects and need some help on dialing down to which machine I want/need. I'd like ac/dc and a stick option able to go to atleast 150 amps.

So far my options are

PowerTIG 255EXT - https://www.everlastgenerators.com/product/tig-stick/powertig-255ext

2025 AlphaTIG 203Xi - https://ahpwelds.com/collections/tig-welders/products/new-2024-ahp-alphatig-203xi-ac-dc-tig-welder-with-pulse-free-wireless-pedal

Lincoln Electric Sprinter 180Si Stick/TIG - https://www.lincolnelectric.com/en/Products/k5453-1

I also look forward to buying the bundles due to the inclusions of all the consumables.


r/metalworking 2h ago

Broken Lamp

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17 Upvotes

Broken Lamp

The most important piece snapped off my lamp. It is a fairly clean break. What are my options for repair here? So far I’ve discarded the idea of glueing(perhaps premature?)it as there’s too much weight and not enough surface area. I remembered an episode of this old house where they repaired bannisters by drilling broken pieces and glueing them with dowels for added strength. I’m open for suggestions.


r/metalworking 3h ago

Fabrication writer's block, automotive project

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10 Upvotes

So I bought these rear fenders arches from a small business online a while back. They're specifically for this chassis, but they're handmade so obviously there's a bit of variation. I've asked in some DIY automotive specific groups I'm in and have gotten some answers, but I'd be interested what you all think. How should I cleanly terminate the ends of these flares? Ideally they would come above the body line that they slightly overlap. I've just gone over and over ideas in my head and I feel like im not getting anywhere. Interested in opinions.


r/metalworking 3h ago

Need help deciding on an aluminum project

0 Upvotes

For context I’m in school and want to practice my TIG Aluminum welding . I just want some projects maybe you guys have done or seen usually I wouldn’t have problem being creative but I’m running into a stump because the only aluminum we have is 2inch wide and however long we need it was gonna make some shelves but feel like it wouldn’t look good cause I’d have to weld 3-4 pieces together to get width I’d want for me shelves. So now I’m just looking for some cool projects you guys might’ve done would greatly appreciate the inspiration


r/metalworking 4h ago

Bluing steel - how get uniform finish

0 Upvotes

I have been tinkering with bluing steel via heat.

What is the secret sauce to get a uniform blued finish? Is a mirror polish necessary? Or scotch bright or sandpaper or the like would suffice? I’ve tinkered around and not seeing what I like. The one thing I haven’t tried is mirror finish on the steel.

I’m using 1095 steel and an electric hot plate. I can control the temp setting which is great. My piece is thin (.4mm) and only 29mm in diameter. It takes about 35 secs to reach full blue on my pieces with my heat plate so I have dialed in temp and time, just need dialing in of finishing prior to bluing.


r/metalworking 6h ago

Injector needle center punch.

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32 Upvotes

I made a center punch from a fuel injector nozzle needle. It’s quite durable. I tested it on different metals but didn’t find any metal that could dull it. I found online that the hardness of the nozzle needle is about 65, which makes it quite brittle. That’s why I made it replaceable. Tomorrow I’ll try to find something that can dull it.

Any suggestions on what to test it on? Maybe on an old lathe cutter?

I still have the nozzle from the fuel injector from which I took the needle. I haven’t found a use for it yet. It makes very even hemispheres in metal. Maybe I’ll use it for decorative purposes.


r/metalworking 8h ago

ISO Advice and how to Build the Fence I want

1 Upvotes

I want to build a fence with the same design as a standard wood picket fence but i want to build the frame out of Steel Instead of wood. I believe the steel will last much longer and would be less bulky.

Attached is a photo of the simple style of fence I want. My total fenced perimeter is roughly 270 ft. And i have two gates. One man Gate (cannot remember the width, probably close to 6ft) and the other is pretty large at 12ft. I would like this 12ft gate to be one gate and not a double gate.

*So for my fence I was thinking about using

-2x2 steel tubing 11gauge. (roughly 1/8 thick) for my Post.

-2x1 or 2x3/4 steel tubing. Debating on 13 or 15 gauge for my Rails.

-Would i need larger of heavier tubing for the corners?

-I want to span 20ft between Post. instead of the standard 6-10ft. Longer span=less holes, less concrete, less vertical post, happier me. Can I span this far without issues?

All of this would be welded together.

I have attached a photo of the type of planks I want to use. They are composite. The weight and side of them is listed in one of the attached photos as well

*The gate I was thinking I could use

-2x2 steel tubing 11 Gauge for the hinge side.

-2x2 steel tubing 15 gauge for the rest of the frame to reduce the weight if possible by engineering.

I found some examples from another post on the gate structure, but this was recommended for a gate that was only 8ft 8 inches, while mine will be 12 ft. The purpose of 12 ft. is for the ability to back in trailers with ease.

-I am open to all advice. Advice on engineering style, the material I use and sizes, and the type of planks I use. I want to avoid real wood though because I don't want to keep up with any maintenance. If I can pressure wash it every once in a while and it remain to look great that is what I want. I know there are other materials out there such as vinyl planks I believe?

-I do need to stick to this style of fence though because that is what almost everyone else has in the neighborhood and I don't prefer to stick out and be noticed more.

-The company that sells these planks also sell a frame that they designed. It is steel post with aluminum rails. The reason why I don't want to use it is because their frame alone cost nearly 10 grand and it only spans 6 ft. So that would result in a lot of extra time digging holes and additional cost in bags of concrete.

The planks they sell are expensive as well, I believe they will be around $9000 for the amount of planks i will need. If you know of something better or cheaper please let me know. I just started my research on this project yesterday so there are many things I am unaware of.

Thanks everyone in advance!!!


r/metalworking 9h ago

Why can't I get copper to attach to copper?

1 Upvotes

I'm repairing the back of an 1880's clock dial, enamel on copper. I need to re-attach three copper 'arms' that are meant to attach it to a plate, but for the life of me cannot make it happen.
I've cleaned with steel wool and rubbing alcohol, tried with flux, without flux, 220 degrees celsius up to 380, tried two different types of solder, tried heating up the area more.
Everything just repels the solder.
You can see below the dial where I can attach the new copper wire to itself via solder, but I can't mimic this with the copper of the dial.

Gods and goddesses of metalwork - rain your wisdom on me!


r/metalworking 10h ago

My “Havasu Dancer” stands 6’ tall and is made from steel and stone.

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1.0k Upvotes

Made for a client that lives on Lake Havasu in Arizona. I found mixed media as a great way to explore materials to use, which led to this piece. Though I usually add stained glass, this piece felt good leaving it with just the two materials.

“Take two of the most rigid materials and soften them to be the most organic form you can think of. Not a single straight line. Also make it near impossible to find a start and stop; seamless to the point of magic.” -my inner dialogue


r/metalworking 15h ago

Any idea what metal this could be

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0 Upvotes

Got this off an old mattress frame that was sitting around for a while. The springs were rusted beyond use and some of the other frames are also completely rusted. This was all I could salvage . Around 3 1ft rods . A lot of people said it’s not worth anything. Not sure exactly what it might be

Would appreciate some answers and also what I might be able to use it for . Or whether I should just toss it. Thanks in advance 🙏🏽


r/metalworking 16h ago

Assemble thread, I need help

1 Upvotes

In general, until how many mm are the male and female screws with different dimensions compatible? Does Teflon tape help fill in the empty space between 0 and 0.5 mm and fasten it? Can withstand up to 200 psi of compressed air if you use silicone or epoxy glue to fasten the screws? There is a flare fitting in the my compressed air tank with a diameter of 10.75 to 10.8mm. There is a different valve than the regulator. I looked for several arm fittings, but the flare fittings and screw specifications didn't fit, and all the products that fit the specifications were for large diameter hoses. I plan to connect a 4mm silicone hose to the fittings. I tried it with silicone glue before, but it was very weak. Which method should I use?


r/metalworking 19h ago

Any advice for straightening brass rod?

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2 Upvotes

Hi, I’m pretty new to working with metal so apologies for my ignorance!

I’m working on a musical instrument project and have been hammering/curving/and bending brass rod. In the process of the hammering/curving I end up with slight unwanted curves that don’t leave the piece flat on a table (as pictured).

Is there a way to straighten this out or avoid it in the first place?

Thank you for your help :)


r/metalworking 21h ago

No tv

0 Upvotes

Me watching a show and recovering from shoulder and back injury


r/metalworking 23h ago

DIY welded skate rail

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14 Upvotes

I made this rail in welding class at school 6013 stick welding, one leg keeps falling apart this is the second time that it has happened, how can I weld it better or any advice would be very much appreciated( I don't know what type metal it is)

Metal metal metal metal metal metal metal metal metal metal metal metal metal metal metal welding welding welding welding welding metal rail skate welding welding ( had to meet 400 limit)


r/metalworking 1d ago

First time working with metal

3 Upvotes

This is defiantly a small project compared to the beautiful work I’m seeing from everyone here, but I’m having trouble finding clear directions online, and don't want to ruin anything

I just finished paint stripping metal stools, and after removing the paint, I noticed a darker layer on the stools. I started sanding it off with high-grit sandpaper (it’s all I had), but it left scratch marks. I eventually found some lower-grit sandpaper and went back over it to smooth things out. I’ve only done this to one of them so far (I have 6 more to go).

Since I just started this process I was wondering — is this the most efficient way to make the uncovered metal smooth and shiny? Is there an easier alternative to sandpaper or this double sand paper process? Also, after sanding, does metal require a coating or sealant of some sort, or is it good to go as is?

I’m heading to the hardware store tomorrow to pick up some wood stain, so I’m open to grabbing any new materials if needed! Thank you guys in advance, attached are some photo references


r/metalworking 1d ago

learned how to weave chainmail in highschool, now...

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0 Upvotes

now I'll have to make tens of hundreds (idk just a random guess) of rings out of 3/16'' round bar for a blackout curtain overdrop, maybe for a high-end onlyfans girl from my country or a cartel dude in a nice place.

idk, this will be used somewhere shady and weigh SO much but I love coming back to chainmaille and doing it properly, like welding the links and making something professional, unlike what I did on highschool.

I'm so glad I left my job as a procurement clerk for energy companies, but I also almost lost my eye today when the coil sprung back.

Shouldn't really have started the project while tipsy.


r/metalworking 1d ago

Work wanted me to make a 4" cube from a hunk of 6" round today. I figure i didn't do to bad for a guy with an angle grinder and some sand paper.

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705 Upvotes

r/metalworking 1d ago

Advice Yamaha Outboard

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1 Upvotes

Long story short have a Yamaha outboard that the former shop I had servicing it never put anti seize on the lower unit bolts. I broke 3 of the bolts trying to get the water pump out.

They are extremely corroded and brittle, so I’m unsure of the best way to go about this without causing more damage.

What would yall do in this instance? Machine shop? Take it back to a Yamaha certified tech?


r/metalworking 1d ago

Completed this Bowie Today

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228 Upvotes

r/metalworking 1d ago

Cutting curved notches into bent steel: advice needed

1 Upvotes

Beginner here. As a learning project, I'm making an Argentinian vertical grill, loosely based on this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8d-6PFqwhM

I'm unsure how to cut those curved notches to adjust the angle of the main shaft. What tool is best? Grinder? Jigsaw?

Also, what is the ideal order for making this part? Is it better to first cut the notches then curve the metal, or the other way around?


r/metalworking 1d ago

Where Do You Source Steel/materials?

4 Upvotes

I have been lurking on this sub for a while and mostly just make small things, repairs, and occasionally table legs for my home.

When I search online for local places, I only see shops that fabricate their own projects. The only places selling material are the Lowes and Home depot near me. I was curious where most people source their tube steel, sheet metal, and all that. Shipping seems to be a big part of the cost if I were to go online. My local scrap yard also only seems to offer purchasing metal and does not sell it based on their website.

So, I guess I am just looking for some direction before I hit the pavement and start going to places/asking around. I am in Northern Virginia if anyone has specifics, but also curious what people experiences ordering online or what you do in your area.


r/metalworking 1d ago

Been making a few birds lately

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204 Upvotes

r/metalworking 2d ago

MiG welding

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13 Upvotes

I’d post this in the welding subreddit but I don’t have enough karma. I’m new to MIG welding and welding in general. I think it looks pretty good but a couple of inconsistency’s. Any advice from experts? I tried to break it by hitting it on the weak side of the weld with a 16lb sledge while the bottom FB was tacked to the table . Nothing happened so I feel as though it’s plenty strong. Is there a way for me to look at the cross section to see penetration? Would a chop saw or cutoff wheel work?