IMS
Women in Welding
Welding – the act of joining two pieces of metal in a permanent bond – has long been a male-dominated career. According to the American Welding Society, only about 5 percent of welding personnel are female, but that number may be growing. More than ever before, women are breaking in to the welding trade. And it’s…
Read MoreMaking A BBQ Grill from Scrap Metal
For all you metal DIY enthusiasts, building a barbeque grill from scrap metal could be the ultimate project. Just imagine the crackling fire, the fragrant woodsmoke, the sizzle of steaks, and that heavenly first bite! But first, you need to think through a few issues before you start to build a DIY grill. The ideas…
Read More304 vs. 316 Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is one of the most popular and well recognized metals, known for its attractive appearance, low maintenance requirements, and resistance to corrosion and staining. Unlike regular carbon steel, stainless steel does not readily corrode in the presence of water. When the strength and toughness of steel are required, along with the need for…
Read MoreMelting Point of Metals
Melting Point of Metals Knowing the melting points of different metals is important for fabricators and welders. Metals melt gradually, as the metal absorbs heat. Well before a piece of metal reaches its complete melting point, it may begin to soften and warp. To keep things simple, we generally classify the melting point of a…
Read MoreMetal Jewelry Making Project
Gift Giving – Awesome Metal Jewelry Project to Gift this Season ‘Tis the season for giving great gifts. And what could be more appreciated than a piece of custom DIY jewelry! Don’t worry if you don’t yet know how to make jewelry. This short guide to copper jewelry making should give you the confidence to…
Read MoreHow to Cut Aluminum Sheet Metal
Aluminum sheet is any aluminum sheet metal thicker than foil but thinner than plate (sheet is under .249” thick, while plate metal is .250” and above.) Many do-it-yourself projects, such as metal fabrication, siding, or roofing, use aluminum sheet because it is a relatively soft metal and thinner gauges can easily be cut. If you work in…
Read MoreHot-Rolled Steel vs. Cold-Rolled Steel
You may have heard of both hot- and cold-rolled steel, but do you know the difference between them? If not, we’re here to help. The Basic Difference Production of both hot- and cold-rolled steel starts with the same steps. They’re both initially processed at extremely high temperatures. However, once the treated steel is ready, cold-rolled…
Read MoreMarine Metals Guide
A Guide to Marine Grade Metals Water is relentless. It wears down metal over time through pressure, corrosion, and bacteria growth. That’s why cargo ships, naval ships, and cruise ships must be built with durable marine grade metals. These are the metals and metal alloys that have the best chance to withstand the threats of…
Read MoreWelding Titanium
Remove any oil, grease, or grinding dust from the welding surfaces by cleaning them with steam. You can also mix alkali with a dilute solution of sodium hydroxide for a quality clean. Use lint-free gloves and methyl alcohol to give the metal a final wipe. You’ll risk spreading chlorine all over the surface with rubber…
Read MoreUnderstanding Powdered Metals
Look around you, and there’s probably something made of metal. And the tools used to make it were likely made of metal, as well as something called powdered metals. Manufacturers rely on powdered metals not only for precision but also to save money on metal removal processes. We’ll cover the applications of metal powder and…
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