I’m working with Lee in the Metal Shop in getting a space for what I’m now calling “Small Metals”. The flex shaft will be set up for use and the rolling mill will be mounted properly. All the drawers in our tool bench are currently unlocked except the bottom two which hold the rolling mill handle and flex shaft drill…both of which are not repairable and the most expensive. I’m getting a torch head for propane/MAP gas canisters for annealing metal, working on a better solution for the pickle solution and working on getting a large metal shear for the metal shop that will accommodate the metal shop and small metal needs.
If there’s a workshop or class we aren’t currently offering or you would like to teach, please let me know…your feedback is greatly appreciated and crucial to the success of Jewelry and Small Metals!
we are also discussing an open workshop night. We could use some input on when would be a good time. Maybe even moving the night around. Wed is one possibility with the Thurs class or thurs with moving class to Wed. Would anyone be interested in an open workshop on a weekend?
Forgot where I was the other day, but saw an attachment hose for propane torches that allowed them to be attached 5 gallon propane tanks (mucho cheaper than the small tanks). MAPP burns hotter than Propane: 2010C vs 1967C, (3650F vs 3572F) in air. Engineers Tool Box Not sure how important the extra 75 degrees F make, but I just bought a small (14 oz) tank of MAPP for about $9.95, while 5 gallons (20 #) of propane is about $20.
Just throwing it out there for consideration because a lot of gas is used for annealing, if propane can be used for some of it, big savings possible in consumables.
The Small Metals toolbox has moved into the Metal Shop. A big thanks to Lee and Ivan for making this happen! The key is missing from the toolbox so if anyone has it or knows where it went, please return it…it was in a small ziploc bag. Thank you!
Considering what The Space is undergoing with fire codes, are we allowed to have a big propane tank indoors? Some grocery and big box stores doing propane tank exchange have signs to not take the tank inside.
The reason propane exchange facilities do not allow propane cylinders in the facility is that unrestrained compressed gas cylinders inside crowded buildings is a recipe for disaster.
Since, at the space, we use various compressed gasses in the metal shop, I should think that propane tanks when treated similarly would be acceptable. This means tethering them, as we have done with the other gas cylinders. After all, it’s acceptable to use floor buffers and fork lifts with propane cylinders inside buildings because they’re strapped down.
EDIT: This is to say, those in use need to be properly restrained while in use. Those in storage will still need to be outside in a safety cage.
You would need to get it very flat first and then it is likely that it would not be as thick. I have never tried using one to get wrinkles out. You can roll an ingot of say silver into a sheet with one.
Most of the time we use it to pattern metal. Come out Tues and see
Anne - I’m really proud of you and all the growth you’ve allowed to make happen in the jewelry area. You wanted to happen and you made it happen - and I know even more is on the horizon. You guys are awesome and I can’t wait to sip tea with you and watch all the little artist babies work.
Anne, the class last night was awesome and I am so impressed with how you have outfitted the small metals “shop”. Thanks for all your hard work to make that a reality.
I have two questions, please. First, the disc cutter that we used … is that yours or is it at the Space? Second, do we have a small (guillotine) shear?
I appreciate it Chris! Everything we have belongs to Makerspace. I am working with Lee, the Metal Shop chair, on getting a metal shear that will work for both large and small metals…we don’t have one at this time.
At one point the DPRG had a small, red shear/brake combo unit. I don’t know if it is still around, but I used it in the past with acceptable results on copper, brass, etc.
Pretty sure there’s was a Harbor Freight 24" (or so) brake still in metal shop. It’s red. Might that be what you’re thinking of? It once sat out in the middle of the floor about where the big metal band saw now resides.
That brake has been moving around DMS, the last I saw it was were @jast mentioned. In case anybody cares, I use the metal brake, please do not get rid of it.
There is no ring mandrel box in the upper drawer. In fact, there is no box of any kind in the drawer.
Anne - is it safe to assume that the handle for the rolling mill is locked in one of the two large drawers that we can’t open, along with the MAP canister?
The ring mandrel got moved to one of the smaller drawers, And yes the handle is in the bottom drawer, we don’t have a MAPP gas canister, Anne has been providing that from her own studio.
