This is the FAQ for rec.crafts.metalworking. It is in several pieces to keep the overall size of each part below the limits imposed by some news systems. This is part 1 of 11. Generally, units below are United States dollars, degrees Fahrenheit, and all the other silly backwards units we Americans still use. Sorry. The questions being answered in part 1: 0. Where is this FAQ kept, and where are archives of the newsgroup? 1. The original rec.crafts.metalworking charter. 2. Network resources (other lists, vendors, etc.) 3. What are some good books and/or video tapes on metalworking? The questions being answered in part 2: 4. Who makes good lathes/mills/etc? 5. Where do I buy a machine? 6. What are good magazines to subscribe to? 7. Where might one take classes or get instruction? 8. Where can I get raw material for my projects? 9. Where can I get tools, drill bits, etc.? 10. What are some of the related professional/hobby associations? 11. How do I harden/temper metal? The questions being answered in part 3: 12 How do I wire up this strange motor? 13. How do I deal with mail-order suppliers? 14. How to sharpen knives, chisels, and other tools? 15. Some safety reminders. 16. How do I drill round holes? 17. What's TIG and MIG? 18. MIG welding technique. The questions being answered in part 4: 19. Which MIG welder should I buy? 20. Books on welding. 21. Soldering/brazing topics. 22. What are bolt grades? 23. What is XYZ made of? 24. How do I build a furnace or forge? The questions being answered in part 5: 25. What is Damascus steel? 26. How do I repair/replace this old leather belt? 27. Can I use a drill press as a cheap vertical mill? 28. What is involved in building a steam engine? 29. How do I anodize aluminum? The questions being answered in part 6: 30. Rust! How do I deal with rust? 31. Are there any machinery museums? The questions being answered in part 7 32. How do I cut metal? 33. What kind of oil should I use on my lathe/mill? 34. What are the various tapers (Morse, JT, R8, etc.)? 35. What is Electric Discharge Machining (EDM)? The questions being answered in part 8 36. Solvent safety 37. What does "gage" (or "gauge") mean? 38. Leveling a lathe. 39. Wind Chimes The questions being answered in part 9 40. Patinas 41. Removing broken taps The question being answered in parts 10 and 11 99. Names and addresses of publishers and suppliers (OK, so I got tired of re-numbering it every time a new question was added!) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 0. Where is this FAQ kept, and where are archives of the newsgroup? This FAQ is also available via anonymous ftp to plains.uwyo.edu, in the METAL directory. I also hope to someday get it posted to news.answers and into rtfm.mit.edu, which is where many groups' FAQs are kept. I also keep an "informal" archive of the newsgroup on plains.uwyo.edu, also in the METAL directory. It's informal in that I only update it from time to time, not continuously. Plains.uwyo.edu is usually down early Sunday and Monday mornings, so if ftp fails then, just try it again later. 1. The original rec.crafts.metalworking charter. A tiny bit of history: there existed a group trial.rec.metalworking, but few sites pick up the "trial" feed. Also, the trial method of group creation sort of died of neglect, so this group (rec.crafts.metalworking) was created to take its place and become an official wide-spread group. Charter ------- Charter -- REC.CRAFTS.METALWORKING The USENET newsgroup, rec.crafts.metalworking, is a newsgroup which discusses various aspects of working with metal, such as (but not limited to): machining, as on a lathe, milling machine, grinder, etc.; numerical control of such machines; welding, whether by gas, arc, mig, tig, thermite, or other methods; Metal joining, whether welding, brazing, soldering, riveting, screwing, folding, etc. (this section was added during the discussion) casting various metals by various methods; hardening/tempering various metals; blacksmithing/forging; spinning and hammer work; sheet metal work; jewelry-making; purchasing and/or reconditioning metalworking tools and machinery; interesting projects; books on metal technologies and history; Example areas of interest: knife/sword making; automotive repair; steam engine (model/scale, though full-sized discussions are welcome!); art work, such as bronze castings and sculptures; gunsmithing; toolmaking, such as for woodworking, further metalworking, etc.; While the bulk of the discussion will probably be directed towards small-scale "home" shops, industrial/production discussions are also quite welcome. 2. Network resources (other lists, vendors, etc.) There are several other metalworking-related resources on the Internet, such as mailing lists and WWW pages. Here are a few we are aware of. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ So the first one I list isn't even metalworking related! A handy reference available in most libraries is the Thomas Register, which lists many manufacturers and sellers of "stuff". They currently have an on-line presence on the World Wide Web: http://www.thomasregister.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------ http://tbr.state.tn.us/~wgray/ Metal Web News "A Virtual Newsletter for the Online Metal Enthusiasts" An effort by William Gray and others to present a metalworking newsletter. Contributions are welcome. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ If you are interested in clocks/watches, there is a CLOCKS mailing list. Send mail to listserv@listserv.syr.edu, containing the command "SUBSCRIBE CLOCKS your name". There is also a clock presence on the World Wide Web (WWW): http://glen-ellyn.iit.edu/~clocks/clocks/clocks.html A similar newsgroup is alt.horology. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Steam Engines: http://mindlink.net/Ron_Stewart/livsteam.html http://www.bendigo.net.au/~jstein/livestm.html http:////edge.edge.net/~vrbass/steamfaq.htm ------------------------------------------------------------------------- On the scientific side, there's sci.engr.metallurgy. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- There is also a Usenet newsgroup rec.woodworking that may be of interest to people who read rec.crafts.metalworking. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- WWW (World-Wide-Web) users may be interested in Enrique Vega's efforts which he calls ArtMetal. This includes a mailing list and a Home Page of: http://wuarchive.wustl.edu/edu/arts/metal/ArtMetal.html Enrique can be reached at evega@artmetal.pdial.interpath.net. See also the Prince Edward Island Crafts Council (Canadian): http://www.crafts-council.pe.ca A crafts fair guide is at: http://www.teleport.com/~paulec/FAIRGUIDE/CRAFTLST.HTML ------------------------------------------------------------------------- A Usenet newsgroup was created around March of 1994, called rec.crafts.jewelry. Some of the questions on rec.crafts.metalworking have been jewelry related, such as casting small pieces; these might be more appropriate on the new group, or at least you might get more answers! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- A newsgroup called rec.knives was created in September 1995. A mailing list for knifemakers was created in early 1995: Such a list is now available, and may be joined by sending mail to majordomo@basis.com containing a line "subscribe knife-list". Following is the announce text for the list: The purpose of this mail list is to be a forum where knife makers and bladesmiths discus technical, artistic, political, and business ideas related to the field of custom and handmade cutlery. Knife fighting techniques and martial arts are not part of the discussion, except where it relates to an actual knife design. In short, this mailing list is for knife makers, sword makers, bladesmiths, and serious collectors of custom and handmade cutlery. An older mailing list for knifemakers, collectors, and people interested in edged-weaponry martial arts and techniques is the EDGE mailing list. Requests to be added to this list should be sent to: EDGE-owner@HICOM.LUT.AC.UK Submissions to the list itself should be sent to: EDGE@hicom.lut.ac.uk Topics on this list have ranged across topics like discussions of the types of steels used in knives, and why select one over another; the qualities and selection of different types of pocket tools [such as the Gerber Multi-Plier, the Leatherman, the SOG Toolclip, etc.]; current sales on knives from mail-order or discount-house sources; why Japanese swords are made the way they are/were, and how to take care of such a sword; selecting modern reproduction swords for martial-arts purposes; and many other edged-weapon and edged-tool subjects. However, lately (April 1995) it has been heard that the list is largely dead and unresponsive. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Silversmithing (commercial): http://www.gold.net/users/dy93/. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- The "industry", whatever that may be, has a WWW home page as well as a Telnet address, respectively: http://www.industry.net industry.net Then there's the manufacturer's Information Network: http://mfginfo.com/home.htm Metal finishing (electroplating, anodizing, galvanizing, etc.): http://www.finishing.com METAL Machining and Fabrication: http://www.mmf.com/metal Used Equipment Network (UEN), WWW or Telnet respectively: http://www.hsix.com buyused.hsix.com The Global Recycling Network deals with used machines and tools: http://grn.com/grn/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Book sellers: Powell's Technical Books (new and used) can be reached at http://www.technical.powells.portland.or.us, or you can get more info by sending blank e-mail to ping@technical.powells.portland.or.us. More info in the vendor list. Amazon.com claims one million titles, at http://www.amazon.com. Book Stacks Unlimited can be reached via telnet to books.com, or (216) 861-0469, or http://melville.books.com/scripts/main.exe? or http://www.books.com. 3. What are some good books and/or video tapes on metalworking? Note that this is not a complete list. If you are looking for books on anodizing, there is a separate FAQ section that deals with that topic and lists several books. - How to Run a Lathe This book is available from South Bend distributors, such as Blue Ridge, and/or Lindsay. It was originally printed in 1914 and last updated in 1966, I believe. - Advanced Machine Work by Robert H. Smith (1925). This book is not as "advanced" as the title might indicate, but assumes that you are not a total beginner. Available from Lindsay Publications (Cat. No 4236, $27.50, hardcover). - Machine Tool Operation, Vol. 1 & 2, by Henry Burghardt, Aaron Axelrod & James Anderson. These books were for many years the standard text in trade schools and technical colleges. Volume one covers the basics: safety, measuring, bench work, drill press, lathe and forge. Volume two covers: shaper, planer, milling machine, grinding, hydraulics, band saw, metallurgy, and cutting fluids. Your best source for these is a used book store or a technical school library. They overlap much of "Advanced Machine Work", but neither is a complete substitute for the other. - Materials Handbook by George S. Brady (McGraw-Hill Book Co.) "An encyclopedia for purchasing managers, engineers, executives, and foremen". Essentially, it gives an "executive summary" of virtually every material that is valuable in commerce. For instance, there is a two-page entry for "Die Steels". It is not aimed at the scientist or engineer; it is aimed at the person who needs to quickly understand the important characteristics and economics of industrial materials without involvement in details. It does cover a lot of non-metal materials as well. - Machine-Tool Work, by William P Turner and Halsey F Owen. 1932 and 1945 (hence no ISBN number). Some libraries may still have a copy, though you're probably out of luck for a purchase. Moderately good text, very good diagrams and pictures, especially of huge special-purpose machines like railroad wheel grinders. Suffers a bit from age, and seems intended for large industrial shops, but a good read if you find it. - Machine Shop Theory and Practice, by Albert M Wagener and Harlan R Arthur. 1941 (hence no ISBN number). Some libraries may still have a copy, though you're probably out of luck for a purchase. Fairly good text, more specific techniques than the Turner/Owen book. Suffers a bit from age, but still a nice instructional book. - Lathe Operations, by Richard R. Kibbe. 1985, ISBN 0-471-89023-5. Adapted from materials originally prepared by the Engineering Industry Training Board of Great Britain. Also in the same series: Milling Machine Operations, and Grinding Machine Operations. A step-by-step text with about 2 photos and lots of simple but usually-clear drawings. Shows how to do most any common lathe operation (and a few uncommon ones) in as few words as possible. Check page 90 for what seems to be a man with two right hands. - Machine Tool Practices, by Kibbe,Neely, Meyer and White. It's the first year machine shop text used by some community colleges. - The Making of Tools, by Alexander G Weygers Prentice Hall Press, 1973, ISBN 0-671-60924-6. A modern book about doing things the old way. How the artist/craftsperson can design, make, sharpen and temper tools. May be available from Centaur Forge. - Machinery's Handbook. A standard reference book for machinists, available from most distributors of machines or tools. - Clockmaking & Modelmaking; tools and techniques by W.R. Smith Mr. Smith has published other books on clockmaking, but this one covers more than just clocks, and is thus of interest to more than just clock-makers. This is a collection of articles from the British Horological Journal, Timecraft, Model Engineer, and Horological Times. The articles have been updated and expanded for inclusion in this 112-page coil-bound book. For a complete review, see HSM Jan/Feb 1992, page 14. Available from Gateway Clocks (see names/addresses section), $27 post-paid within USA (overseas buyers add $5 for postage). - Elmer's Engines, by Elmer Verberg, available from Modeltec magazine. Has many very nice, and fairly easy to build stationary steam engines. - Model Locomotive and Marine Boilers [Argus Press, 1988, ISBN 0-85242-923-1] by Martin Evans (well known in the Model Engineering field, at least in Great Britain) - Model Boilers & Boilermaking by K.N.Harris, published 1971 Possibly available from Argus. - The Shop Wisdom of Frank McLean, available from Village Press. Lots of good ideas, and common sense approaches, and the few pages about inspecting used machines is worth its weight in gold for first time buyers. - THE MACHINIST'S BEDSIDE READER Guy Lautard 2570 Rosebery Avenue West Vancouver, B.C., Canada V7V 2Z9 (Some of Guy's books are also available from other suppliers, such as MSC) Contains: Working drawings and detailed instructions for making 15 useful and practical machinists tools and lathe accessories; dozens of hints, tips and tricks to help get things done faster, easier and better in your shop; a collection of 2 dozen machine shop anecdotes; 2 highly readable machinists short stories. Projects include: a sharpening jig for drill from 1/8 to #60, a swiveling base for a 2" Wilton vise, a graduated handwheel for the lathe leadscrew.........and many more THE MACHINIST'S SECOND BEDSIDE READER Similar in format to the first book; projects include: a small pantograph engraving machine, a tool maker's block, poor man's jig borer and a kerosene-burning blowtorch....... also a short story titled "The Bullseye Mixture" which details the method for carbon pack color casehardening. THE MACHINIST'S THIRD BEDSIDE READER Some of the projects/info: color casehardening, a co-ax indicator, a collet chuck system, a deluxe overhaul of a keyless drill chuck, sharpening tools, sandblasting, setting up work on a faceplate, taper turning, knurling flat surfaces, and more. "A Treatise on Oiling Machine Tools" Very small (25 pages), very costly ($7.95), and not much useful information according to Tom Walter. One useful warning is to not use way oils in a milling machine's centralized oiling system, as some of them contain wax which will clog the system. Other books and plans by Lautard (not a complete list): "Hey Tim, I gotta tell ya....' a mini Bedside Reader" "3.75' Diameter Ungeared Rotary Table" "Universal Sleeve Clamp". Lautard's targeted readership seems to be the home machinist. I'm sure that much of what he has to say may be "old hat" to a skilled machinist with many years experience. I confess that I am a rank amateur in machine shop practice (my only professional experience was as a part-time helper in a gunsmith shop where the machine I got to know best was the polishing wheel). The flyer I quote from is available from Lautard at the address I gave with my last posting. [reviews and typing courtesy of Michael Gordon, except for the description of the third bedside reader. JK] It has also been reported that Guy sells an index of some sort, either of all projects or all articles, in the back issues of Model Engineer. However, the index is reportedly hard to use. See the description of Model Engineer magazine. - Machine Tool Reconditioning, by Connelly Covers reconditioning of machine tools, including figuring out what's off on lathes and such. Also a good section on scraping (i.e. removing small areas of metal by scraping, such as making a plate very flat). Mostly deals with reconditioning ways, and does not spend much time on mechanical problems such as worn nuts or gears. - The Surface Treatment and Finishing of Aluminum and its Alloys, Edited by S. Wernick, R. Pinner, and P.G. Sheasby. Published 1987 by ASM International, Metals Park, Ohio. 2 volumes. Mentioned in sci.materials in response to a "how do I anodize aluminum?" question. - Electroplating for the Amateur, by L. Warburton. Model & Allied Publications. Available via Argus. - The Electroplater's Handbook, by C.W. Ammen TAB books. ISBN 0-8306-0410-3 (hardbound), ISBN 0-8306-0310-7 (paperback) - Metal Finishing - Guidebook and Directory Metals and Plastics Publications, Inc One University Plaza Hackensack, NJ 07601 Mentioned as a good reference for electroplating. - Machine Tool Practices, fourth edition, John Wiley and Sons. Covers a lot of ground and is the first-year book at DeAnza College. - Machine Shop Practice, second editions, volumes 1 and 2 by K.H. Moltrecht. Published by Industrial Press, Inc. ISBN ISBN 0-8311-1126-7 and ISBN 0-8311-1132-1 (vol 1, vol 2) Preface: "It is written for the beginner, as well as for the more advanced craftsman, technician, and manufacturing engineers." "...designed for use in the classroom or for home study,..." (about $20 each) - The Home Machinist's Handbook, by Doug Briney (c)1983, $17.95 [TAB Books] ISBN 0-8306-1573-3 (paperback) Basic... Reading prints, measurements, hand tools, bench tools, the lathe & operation, the milling machine & operation. Projects using the Sherline machine system. - Machinists' Ready Reference, 7th edition (c)1989 [Prakken Publications, Inc], Compiled by Clarence Weigartner, ISBN 0-911168-74-5, 7th edition: $12.50/$10.00(schools), new 8th edition: $14.50 Pocket sized (4.5" x 6"). Good student guide to math, drills, tapers, threads, milling/turning speeds, gears, weights & reading shop prints. Sort of a "poor man's Machinery's Handbook". - How To Work Sheet Metal, by Herbert Dyer Available from Power Model Supply. Highly recommended by Guy Lautard in his Machinist's Bedside Reader. - The New Science of Strong Materials, 1968 (1st ed.), 1976 (2nd ed.), 1984 (Penguin paperback). J.E. Gordon, Princeton University Press. (review courtesy of Bob Powell): This wonderful 280 page paperback lucidly covers the realm of materials science and engineering, in lay terms rather than textbook theory, but with enough depth and detail to satisfy an engineer in a different discipline. Explains, along the way, the physical and chemical nature of wood, and the nature and evolution of all common glue types, plastics, composites from straw-clay brick to fiberglass to kevlar, through iron and steel and alloy metals. Elasticity and the theory of strength and toughness, with basic beam theory developed from first principles. Cracks, defects and crack propagation (why glass bends then shatters), hardening and tempering, and to boot, the best explanation I've seen of all the classic iron and steel making processes. For the wood-inclined, a whole chapter on timber and cellulose from the molecular level up through the evolution of the structural design of wooden ships and (wood) airplanes, with insight into wood drying and wood rot. Dedicates a chapter alone to the evolution of wood glue and the operation and properties of each type. - The Starrett Book for Student Machinists (c)1941, 1975 & 1982 [160 pages] Catalog #1700 @ $8.50. Drawing, fits, bench work, how to measure, cutting speed/fluids, drilling, lathe operations, grinding, sawing, toolmaking, geometry, mechanics, & reference tables. Good information, well worth the price. It covers screw cutting, via the lathe, better than most. Be sure to get the FREE Starrett information, "single copy mailed to individual craftsmen." Decimal Equivalent Card (pocket size 3" x 5"); The Starrett Story (36 pages 4-5/8" x 6-7/8"); The Tools and Rules for Precision Measuring, Bulletin #1211 (80 pages 5-1/4" x 7-5/8") - Watch Making, by George Daniels. - De Re Metallica (Georgius Agricola, 1556) translated by Herbert Hoover - Pirotechnia (Vannoccio Biringuccio, 1540) translated by Smith & Gnudi These two are Dover reprints, and were state-of-the art from renaissance through perhaps 1850 or so. The first is on mining, and the second on metalworking. An interesting historical look at how things were done in earlier times, and why they thought it worked. - Computational Geometry for Design and Manufacture, Copyright 1979, I.D.Faux, M.J. Pratt. Ellis Horwood Publishers, a division of John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 0-85312-114-1 Very good overall text on surfaces and design. Was recommended as a way of learning strange jargon used in CNC machining of surfaces, such as loft, nurbs, and coons. - Computer Numerical Control: Essentials in Programming and Networking by Lin. Delmar Publishers, Inc. 3 Columbia Circle, P. O. Box 15015, Albany, NY 12212-5015. (800-347-7707) (recommended by Jerry Kimberlin) This is a textbook for a 2 semester course. It assumes you know nothing and takes you through the whole thing including G, N, APT...2D, 3D, CNC networking, the math, etc. I don't remember the exact price but it is over $50 and less than $70. - The New Edge of the Anvil, by Jack Andrews Not only is it a great intro to blacksmithing, but it also has the most wonderfully brief description of metallurgy and heat treating. It is available from Skipjack Press direct at: 637 Drexel Ave. Drexel Hill , PA 19026 or e-mail andrews@hslc.org -------------------------------------------------------------------- The following suggested books pertain to jewelry-making, per Sherry Lem. The Complete Metalsmith ISBN 0-87192-240-1, $14.98 Tim McCreight Davis Publications, Inc. Worcester, MA, 1991 Excellent, easy to follow techniques for beginning to intermediate levels, this is the revised edition which is much improved over the original. Contemporary Jewelry, Philip Morton Holt, Rinehart & Winston NY, 1970, 1976 Interesting design philosophy, techniques. Design and Creation of Jewelry, Robert vonNeumann Chilton Radnor, PA, 1961, 1972 Form Emphasis for Metalsmiths, Heikki Seppa Kent State University Press Kent, OH 1978 Perhaps THE book on anticlastic raising/forming, though difficult to teach yourself from the pictures and instructions. Jewelry Concepts and Technology ISBN 0-385-04185-3, $100.00 Oppi Untracht Doubleday & Company Garden City, NY, 1982, 1985 Most comprehensive guide on jewelry making techniques, also contains gemological data, info on setting up a workshop. Also, his "Metal Techniques for Craftsmen" $75.00 is a somewhat abridged version. Jewelry: Contemporary Design and Technique, Chuck Evans Davis Publications Worcester, MA, 1983 Especially good sections on mixed metals (mokume gane, etc.). Jewelry Making and Design, Augustus F. Rose and Antonio Cirino Dover Publications, Inc. NY, 1949, 1967 Decidedly English flavor, very inexpensively priced. Jewelry Making Manual, Sylvia Wicks Brymorgen Press Cape Elizabeth, ME, 1986 Beautiful color photos, good technique instructions. Jewelry Manufacture and Repair, Charles Jarvis Bonanza, NY, 1978 Metal Sculpture - New Forms New Techniques, John Lynch The Viking Press NY, NY Basic art metal techniques. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Another book, suggested by Marc Kerr: "Silversmithing" by Finegold $35.00. This is an excellent book if you are really after smithing and not jewelry making. It has very good descriptions of the smithing process and walks you through a few projects like a bowl, box with hinge and others. -------------------------------------------------------------------- How about video tapes? - New Life Video Productions Several tapes with Rudy Kouhoupt, frequent author in HSM and other magazines. Titles such as: "Fundamentals of Machine Lathe Operation" "Fundamentals of Milling Machine Operations" "How to Cut Spur Gears" "How to Cut Screw Threads" "Building a Sterling Hot Air Engine" Price varies from tape to tape. Production qualities seem poor (based on viewing the first title), such as poor and inconsistent audio, including a radio playing in the background. But you can safely ignore this and concentrate on what Rudy is trying to show you. Seems reasonably priced for the material covered. The material is quite good for the beginner ("I just got a vertical mill; how do I use it?"), or perhaps even the advanced beginner. These are probably tapes you will watch once or twice, so it would be nice if you could rent instead of purchase them! Most of them seem to focus on making a simple but useful project while presenting the material. - Bailey Craftsman Supply "Greensand Casting Techniques" from David Gingery's workshop. HSM seemed to like it. Others include a second volume of the above, Basic Metal Lathe Operation (2 vol), Basic Milling Machine Operation. - Darrell Markewitz, Wareham Forge "A 3 hour instructional VIDEO - $25.00 each (includes postage)" "This video contains a wealth of information, including what to look for in used tools, building a home shop, and demonstrations of a number of basic forming techniques." PART 1 - TOOLS: forges; lighting a fire; coal anvils; hammers; vises; safety PART 2 - TECHNIQUES: 'S' hooks; tent peg; fire poker twists; toasting fork; home forge the WAREHAM FORGE Hamlet of Wareham - RR #2 Proton Stn Ont, CDN - N0C 1L0 (519) 923-9219, wareham.forge@ambassador.com - Quality Street Productions The Fourth Annual NAMES Expo (1993) - Starrett Tools and Rules for Precision Measuring - Colonial Williamsburg P.O. Box C Williamsburg, VA 23187 Tapes are also available from: KVC Entertainment P.O. Box 40276 Indianapolis, IN 46240-0276 CW produces several tapes on blacksmithing, silversmithing, gunsmithing, and so on. They show the "old time" way of doing things, but are reported to be excellent. - Tim McCreight: Complete Metalsmithing Apparently Tim has a book *and* video by this title. Sandy Grossmann sez: "He takes you step by step through a couple of projects. When *he* does it, it sure looks simple! He gives some great shortcuts, and his examples are instructive." "I especially liked his sections on riveting and on using a rolling mill. Very useful. The entire video is oriented toward jewelry, but he also does a sterling silver box. You can get the video mailorder from River Gems and Findings (phone 1-800-545-6566) or from TSI (I think). Last time I checked it was about $40."