| If you are a metal artist or want to become a metal | | | | you are making metal art. There are all kinds of |
| artist you will need some tools. Not some simple hand | | | | things you are trying to get rid of. Think of a grinder |
| tools like hammers and ratchets. You will probably | | | | like a chisel if you were a stone sculptor. |
| need to invest some real money into things like | | | | Buffers - Some times to create shines and surface |
| welders and torches. Why you ask? Metal Art making | | | | textures we use buffers in metal art. Think of |
| is a bit more expensive then driftwood art. | | | | polishing chrome. |
| Cutting Tools: | | | | Hand Chipping Tools - In the rough fabrication stage |
| Plasma Cutters - These machines give you fine cuts | | | | we use a lot of hand tools. Some of these we use |
| in your metal. They are the newest generation of | | | | to chip away slag. This slag could be left over from |
| torches out there. You can spend anywhere from | | | | plasma cutting or welding. To make our metal art |
| $500-$10,000. | | | | look good, we need to remove it. |
| Acetylene Torches - Also know as a "blow torch." | | | | Welders |
| This has been one of the base tools for creating | | | | MIG Welders - These welder are also know as Wire |
| metal art for quite some time. One of the basic tools | | | | Feed welders as there is a spool of wire that you |
| in your kit. | | | | use to weld up your Metal Art. Most commonly used |
| Band Saws - You don't need a band saw, but they | | | | on mild steel. |
| are handy. They give you more precision cuts if you | | | | TIG - This type of welding fuses two pieces |
| are fabricating something critical. The are a bit more | | | | together. You can also use a filler rod if needed. Most |
| messy as they use cutting fluid. | | | | of the time you are just sealing up a seam. This |
| Chop Saws - Quick and dirty saw that gets the job | | | | seems to be more popular with Aluminum and |
| done. If tight tolerances aren't needed then this saw | | | | stainless steel welding. |
| is the quickest. It makes a mess as well, but it is a | | | | As you can see these are a few of the tools you |
| dry mess that sweeps up. It is a bit cleaner then the | | | | might need when creating metal art. There are many |
| band saw. | | | | others we didn't describe, but these are some of the |
| Prep Tools | | | | basics of metal artwork. |
| Grinders - It seems you are forever grinding when | | | | |