| Most people associate a sculptor with a hammer and | | | | Metal joining equipment: |
| chisel. Yes, these are the basic tools of an artist | | | | This involves welding of which there are two types: |
| working with stone or wood. When working with | | | | · MIG welding equipment is best used on |
| these materials the sculptor starts out with a large | | | | metals like mild steel. A wire is melted and used to |
| piece of lumber or stones and using these tools chips | | | | join two pieces of metal together. |
| away at the material until everything that is not part | | | | · TIG welding actually fuses two metal |
| of the work of art is removed. | | | | pieces into one. This yype of welding is best for |
| Metal art is different because while excess material | | | | aluminum and stainless steel welding. A filler rod is |
| also needs to be removed, the creation also involves | | | | sometimes used to fill up an open seam. |
| adding various pieces or materials to one another until | | | | Metal forming equipment: |
| the final art form takes shape. So while one is the | | | | Metal forming involves heating metal till it reaches a |
| process of removing the unwanted, the other is the | | | | molten shape and then pouring it into a mold in which |
| art of joining and shaping. | | | | it will cool and harden to take its new form. This |
| Because of this the range of art metal tools is much | | | | equipment comprises of: |
| wider, more complex and therefore more expensive | | | | · A furnace or forge where the metal will be |
| than stonework tools. The tools the metal artist | | | | heated. Furnaces are of various types for specific |
| needs include: | | | | applications and are fed by electricity, gas or natural |
| Metal cutting tools: | | | | fuels like wood and coal. These, depending on the |
| · Chop saws are the basic tool. These simple | | | | size, may be expensive. |
| saws are good enough for rough cutting of metal | | | | · The molds into which the molten metal is |
| sheets into workable sizes. | | | | formed are usually made by first creating a form |
| · Band saws provide a more precision cut | | | | upon which a wax mold is made. The wax mold is |
| but since they use cutting fluid to continually remove | | | | then used to create the final mold which is normally |
| filings and dust from the cutting area to allow for a | | | | made out of fine silica sand. While little equipment is |
| cleaner cut, they are more expensive and messy. | | | | needed here, the recurring raw material costs need |
| The artist will need a special work station to prevent | | | | to be kept in mind. |
| the fluid from making a mess all over his studio. | | | | Preparation and finishing equipment: |
| · And finally there is the plasma cutter which | | | | · These consist of grinders and chipping tools |
| uses pressured superheated gas to cut through | | | | to smoothen and remove any excess material for |
| metal. Since the flow of gas can be focused down to | | | | the finished surfaces. |
| a very fine point, this allows for extremely precise | | | | · Buffers are needed to polish and create |
| cuts and is the best for the final cutting of metal. | | | | surface textures. |
| Because of the technology involved, they are very | | | | · And finally, if required, painting equipment |
| expensive and costs can go as high as $10,000. | | | | that can range from a simple brush to spray painting. |