| Metal working is the process of forming, cutting, and | | | | protect the tool and the surface of the metal being |
| joining metals in various capacities. Metal working is an | | | | worked. Milling is a more complex process, using a |
| ancient discipline with modern applications ranging | | | | machine to remove extraneous material and achieve |
| from shipbuilding to jewelry-making. Much like work | | | | the desired final shape. Unlike sedentary drilling, in the |
| with any other material, metal working requires a set | | | | milling process the workpiece itself is also moved, |
| of skills and tools specific to its medium. Metal | | | | against the rotating cutter. Milling machines can be |
| working tools can be complex and industrial, or | | | | operated manually, or digitally through the use of |
| simple, hand-held, and user-friendly, depending on the | | | | computer numerical control. |
| needs of the worker. They can be very expensive, | | | | Turning is accomplished with a lathe or a mini-lathe. |
| but they can also be obtained at moderate cost and | | | | The turning process spins the metal being worked, |
| sometimes as discount tools. It all depends on the | | | | resulting in objects with rotational symmetry, such as |
| tool in question and the desires of the worker. | | | | baseball bats or candlestick holders. Metal working |
| Before metal can be cut or joined, if often must be | | | | tools called chucks secure the metal into the lathe. |
| measured or marked. This is a simple and inexpensive | | | | The workpiece is rotated and cutting tools are |
| process. Measuring can be done with a tape measure, | | | | applied. Lathes and mini-lathes can be purchased by |
| or more precisely with a caliper, which can measure | | | | individual consumers. |
| digitally and to within a thousandth of an inch. Marking | | | | Joining metal, often accomplished through the |
| can be accomplished with a variety of tools, most | | | | application of heat energy, is a different process, |
| commonly with carbide-tipped scribers, or for drilling, | | | | requring different tools. Many metal working tools can |
| with a punch. A good air punch can be purchased as | | | | be used in this process, ranging from oxy-fuel flames |
| a discount metal working tool, and used to create a | | | | and propane torches to lasers. These tools need not |
| dimple in metal which will keep the drill in place and | | | | be very expensive, and can be purchased as discount |
| prevent it from spinning away when the metal is cut. | | | | tools. While welding joins materials through |
| Metal cutting processes are wide-ranging, and many | | | | heat-produced coalescence, other processes such as |
| different metal working tools are used to accomplish | | | | brazing and soldering join tools through forming joints |
| them. Some of the most common are drilling, milling, | | | | in the metal through filler materials and capillaries |
| turning, grinding, and filing. Drilling is a simple, | | | | created in the metal, requiring smaller and finer metal |
| chip-producing process that creates a hole in the | | | | working tools. |
| metal. Coolant is used to decrease friction and to | | | | |