Learning to make metal parts- Books? Tips?

[Kerz Atao F14800]

it's easy, isn't it

 

[Mike Y]

Hi Glenn,
Here in the UK we have an old established company called Hobby's who produce an annual listing (over 270 pages) all their products which are available by mail order.
I've been a customer of theirs for several years and always found them efficient and offering good value.
On page 244 of their current annual is their books section (link below) which lists over 100 modelling-related books including many workshop subjects - hopefully you might find something relevant here:-

Workshop - Books, Videos, DVDs Online | Hobby.uk.com Hobbys

Workshop - Books, Videos, DVDs Online | Hobby.uk.com Hobbys

hobby.uk.com

All the best
Mike

 

[Jwallkc]

I was also, so impressed by the metalwork shown in Kerz Atao F14800 post that I too wanted to know more on how this was done. I purchased and received the Complete Metalsmith Professional edition by Tim McCreight. This book provides a wealth of information on materials, tools, shaping, surfaces, joining, color, finishing, casting, chains, findings and mechanisms. Although this book seems to be geared towards jewelry making, I hope that the techniques would be applicable to small metal parts for ship modeling. Still working my way through the book.

... And here's a link to the book..

Complete Metalsmith: Professional Edition https://a.co/d/741IsK7

 

[MarkStrukov]

Hi everyone,
I just got done looking at yet another posting with a top notch model and metal work that blew my mind. This included everything from hooks, thimbles, and block straps to complicated mast caps, lanterns, and more. I can do a small amount of very basic metalwork but it would take a really long time to experiment to the point where I could make some of these thing. Is there a good single source such as a book to get a strong start in this art within the art?

Glenn




I’m in the same boat with tiny straps and lantern bits; it feels magical until you see the setup and jigs. Tim McCreight’s Complete Metalsmith helped me most, even though it’s jewelry-focused, because it explains soldering, annealing, and making repeatable bends. One thing that sped me up was making simple bending and riveting jigs out of scrap steel so every part comes out consistent. Also, fair warning: while looking up “no deposit” (no deposit of solder flux on parts) I landed on https://nodepositbonusesca.com/free-spins and it was totally unrelated noise that wasted my time .

McCreight's "Complete Metalsmith" (Professional Edition) really helps with the basics of joining/casting/finishing, albeit jewelry-oriented. Of the two French books that Kerz Atao showed, I found one on abebooks for about €40—worth it if you translate it with Google. Another tip: watch the Historic Ship Models video on metalwork (fifth down) and archjofo's La Créole log—they have tons of photos of hook/straps steps. Has anyone tried lost-wax with a 3D-printed thimbles master? I only have bar stock and files for now, but casting is tempting.

 

[Bob Cleek]

Is there a good single source such as a book to get a strong start in this art within the art?

Model Building with Brass, by Kenneth C. Foran. (See: https://www.amazon.com/Model-Building-Brass-Kenneth-Foran/dp/0764340042)
Excellent book. Not specific to scale ship modeling, but covers all aspects of brass and other non-ferrous metals in model making. A good one to have on the shelf for reference.