Tools

The range of tools used by metalworkers is often large. Metals can be worked in so many ways and each different way requires different tools. However, anyone wanting to try some work in metal should get the use of some of these basic tools.

Ruler, scriber, square and dividers: These are marking out tools and should be used to make clear sharp marks on the metal or plastic.

Hammers: One wooden, plastic or rawhide hammer is needed for shaping without damaging metal. A pear shaped wooden mallet is necessary for making bowls. One metal engineers hammer is handy for forging or marking the metal, and for hitting punches.

Punches: A variety of punches, some made from large nails, pieces of steel or wood, and some available from the hardware shops, are very useful. With punches you can make marks for decoration or points to start a drill hole in the material.

Drill: Sometimes you will need a drill with a range of drills, for making holes in metal or plastic.

Pliers: A pair of pliers will help in bending wire and sheet. Some special shapes are available with a round nose or flat smooth jaws for special jobs. Wire cutters will also be necessary.

Cutters: Often called tinsnips or shears, these cutters will be necessary for cutting sheet and foil.

Hacksaw: For cutting metal tube or rod or heavy wire or sheet plastic, for rod or tubes a hacksaw with some fine blades will be helpful.

Jewellers Saw or Piercing Saw: This is a special tool and is more difficult to use. The jewellers saw takes a very fine blade (sizes 0, 0.2, 0.4) and is especially designed to cut out intricate shapes in sheet metal and plastics. It is possible to insert the blade through a drilled hole in the material and cut shapes in the middle of a sheet.

Files: These-are necessary for cleaning up shapes and smoothing off rough pieces of metal or plastic. They are available from hardware stores, and come in a range of types. Small jewellers files are helpful for getting into small parts of your work.

Emery Paper: This is needed for smoothing and cleaning the finished pieces in metal and/or plastics. This will polish the work and make it clean and remove scratches. It is available in grades from very rough (180 grade) to very smooth (600 grade). Some types can be used wet, others can be used like a cloth. It is helpful to use some very smooth to make your work really shine.

Bench Vyce: Although not essential, for some work a bench vyce is very handy for holding metal or tube while you hacksaw it or file. It can also hold a tool or stake while you hammer the metal onto it. Bench Pin: This is a piece of wood which you screw or clamp to the table. When filing or sawing with a jewellers saw, the work is rested onto the pin and you can hold the metal or plastic steady.

Sandbag: When metal is being domed or made into a bowl, a sandbag is necessary. One can be made by stitching up a bag in leather and filling it with dry sand. As you hammer the metal onto it the bag forms a depression for your bowl to fit into.

Soldering Iron: The most simple way to join metal is by lead-tin soldering with a soldering iron. An electric soldering iron is easy to use and will do most jobs on sheet or wire. A flux is necessary for lead-tin soldering and it should be applied to the parts to be joined. Sometimes solder with a flux core in the centre of the stick is helpful.