When you're starting in CNC, the amount of codes and cycles you need to learn can seem a little overwhelming at first. Some say that since most people use CAM software, there is no longer any need to...

Lots of people are surprised when they hear that aluminum can be annealed. Since it's already a soft material, why do you need to make it softer? Actually, not all kinds of aluminum can be...

For the longest time I thought that the only way to properly check the hardness of metal was with a proper Rockwell testing machine. Thankfully, I've learned a few other methods and tricks over the...

Annealing is a heat treating process that softens steel. This can make it easier to form or machine. It's especially useful if you need to cut something that's been welded up, like when you need to...

Sheet metal is extremely handy for all kinds of jobs since it's so easy to work with. You can do a lot with only a handful of tools. Even still, it can be pretty easy to mangle if you don't use...

I can't tell you how many times I've been told that you can't weld cast iron. To an extent, a lot of the concerns are true, it's pretty miserable stuff to work with. But there are ways to make...