Joining Metals

Bolting Non Permanent Joining A Bolt is a threaded fastener that passes through the work piece and is held in place by a nut on the other side. This is a very common way of holding together temporary and permanent constructions

Self Tapping Screws Non Permanent Joining A Self-tapping screw has a sharp thread and that cuts its own thread, it is often used To join thin sheet metal and plastics

Riveting Semi Permanent Joining The tools used when riveting are the Rivet Set & Snap and a Ball Pein Hammer Rivets are available in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and Materials Another traditional method of joining metal is Riveting. This process is classed as semi permanent in so far as the rivets can be drilled out and the product disassembled

Pop Riveting Semi Permanent Joining Pop Rivet Gun Pop Rivets A Pop Rivet is a quick method of joining sheet metal together. This process is often used to join sheet material to a hollow tube.

Lazy Tongs This is an alternative to the pop rivet gun. Lazy Tongs are much easier to use when fitting a lot of rivets.

Welding Permanent Joining Welding is a joining process that involves heating both work pieces up to melting point. Commonly, work pieces are welded by melting them and adding more molten metal to form a pool that cools to form a strong joint. The heating of the metal can be a achieved a number of ways- Electricity, Gas or Friction The picture on the right shows Electric Arc Welding

Spot Welding Permanent Joining Spot welding is principally used as a method of joining sheet steel. The process is used extensively in the Automobile industry where the spot welding process can be automated with the aid of robots. Spot welding can be undertaken in the school workshop (on a much smaller scale) as follows.

Brazing Permanent Joining Brazing is a process suitable for joining pieces of mild steel (ideally of similar thicknesses). The process relies on the use of a brass filler rod which, when molten, is drawn by capillary action into the small gaps between the two pieces if steel. This method of joining metals uses very high temperatures (around 900 C) and produces a strong joint with minimum distortion of the original work pieces

Epoxy Resin adhesive Permanent Joining Epoxy resin adhesives are generally two part adhesives (Adhesive & Hardener) When mixed they can be used to bond most materials. Typically Wood, Ceramics, Glass, Metals, Rubber, Fabric, Leather and most Hard Plastics.