Fabricating For Dummies

Chapter 1

Manipulating Metal

IN THIS CHAPTER

Introducing basic metalworking processes

Understanding the difference between bending and forming

Comparing fabrication to other manufacturing processes

Taking apart the machine for a peek inside

It is not knowledge, but the act of learning, not possession but the act of getting there, which grants the greatest enjoyment.

— CARL FRIEDRICH GAUSS

In 1987, ex-Beatle George Harrison released the hit song, “When We Was Fab,” in which he lamented the loss of his youth and the subsequent breakup of the original boy band from Liverpool. In spite of his poor grammar (or perhaps in part because of it), Harrison’s tune caught on. Although it might sound silly, I can’t listen to the late musician’s hit single without thinking about the fabrication, or fab, shop where I once worked, the sounds of stamping presses and laser cutters rattling about behind my ears. Am I crazy, or is that a sign of too many years making parts?

It’s certainly not the latter. Metalworking is an awesomely cool profession (albeit one that’s a bit noisy), and I wouldn’t trade ...