This is probably a strange place to ask this question, but does anyone have any experience with fabrication, or know of any good resources (books, websites, etc)? I've done some basic welding before, but I've never done any real shaping. It'll be used for some simple sculptures - I've rarely worked with anything larger than about four feet or so.

You've apparently found the one thing that no one gives a shit about, nor knows what to make fun of you for on these forums, Roli :)

Fyi, you can often find classes on this type of stuff at local colleges/junior colleges.

I did a google search for metalworking and fabrication schooling, and got lots of info.

No idea what would be useful to you tho'.

We had a bunch of people from a metal working shop come in and build us custom trays for our cable management. I will show pics of my wiring room!

Yes, each and every strand of cat 5 has a cable tie on it. I am batshit insane about cable managment.


http://www.stealthanddagger.com/images/datarack.jpg


http://www.stealthanddagger.com/images/dellservers.jpg

I like that cable management! Wish I was that organized even with my home desk!

Heh, that's more like an entire cave's worth of batshit insane there... :)

I don't have much to add on the metalworking stuff. I never even got to take the metalworking class in school...

The only books I have are oooold. What are you trying to do? I have a fair bit of experience welding support structures, and for awhile I had fun with a plasma arc cutter that was on loan to my department. I'm guessing anything you're looking for info on is gonna be hard to get across on the interweb.

You know, you can buy cable mgmt off the shelf instead of having it custom made......

You know, you can buy cable mgmt off the shelf instead of having it custom made......

/nod
Cheaper too, at least where I am.

Who do you think makes the stuff you buy off the shelves/catalogues? How much more do you think you pay for having to go through a middle man?

I rest my case!

For metal fabrication/sculpting, if your looking at the artisitc side...learn art, if your looking more at the engineering side for practical/custom stuff, learn those.

There isn't alot more "Special" rules for working with metal then there is for stone or woodworking, the only major choice is deciding if you wanna use a gas , laser, plasma, or water torch. All of which have special characteristics that makes them more efficent at certain tasks.

Sorry I can't be more helpful , I never used any "Metalworking" Book, most of what I did was either "Duh" or stuff I already knew from "Shop" classes in HS, its not that hard to pickup(though definetly get educated on proper SAFETY well using the supplies, you can drop a plasma or water torch and kill yourself instantly if your not careful).

How much more do you think you pay for having to go through a middle man?

Heh. I assume you're joking.