3dPrinting

Printing using a 3D printer
3dPrinting

Blacksmithing

Forging and other techniques used in blacksmithing
Blacksmithing

CAD

Design of parts, assemblies or circuits using a computer
CAD

Casting

Casting of aluminium in the flowerpot furnace
Casting

CNC

CNC

Cutting

Cutting

Drilling

Drilling

Fabrication

Assembling metals using welding or fastenings
Fabrication

Grinding

Grinding

Heat Treatment

Heat Treatment

Machining

Machining

Measuring

Measuring

Milling

Milling is machining things using a rotating tool. Typically this is done using a milling machine but with a bit of ingenuity it also be done in the lathe.
Milling

Sharpening

Sharpening

Trepanning

Cutting a circular groove or hole leaving the centre material in place or forming a separate disk. A more efficient technique that boring or drilling in that it removes less material
Trepanning

Turning

Turning

Welding

When I was an apprentice at Dowty we were sent to Stroud College to learn some specialist skills and complete an electronics project. We decided to build a tracking solar panel that followed the sun. For this we needed a framework to support our mocked up panel. So I temporarily joined the metal work class and watched the demonstration of lots of different types of welding. I also learnt how to braze using Oxy-Acetylene. I practiced this on the framework for the tracker.

More recently I attended an evening class at Chelsea College of Art and Design with some other beginner welders where I built a giant flea sculpture using MIG welding.

After doing some research I bought a small DC TIG welder from R-Tech Welding who I also use for welding supplies. The reason for picking this is that it’s has less sparks so is safer for my small workshop and can be used on a wide variety of sizes of steel. I did not need to use the welder in a lot of different places so transporting the argon tank is not an issue. I have used this welder for variety welding projects in my workshop shed which you can see listed below. If you use MIG or TIG then I can definitely recommend getting a large refillable gas canister (in my case argon) as the small disposable canisters will run out quickly and it will become expensive very quickly. I found that even for a quick project such as my Obelisks that required multiple canisters.
Welding

Woodworking

Woodworking

Work Holding

Work Holding