Construction Techniques
Here at the studio, we use simple hand tools and machines to build all of our wide variety of metal objects. All of the work we do is fabrication, which is to say that we start from sheet metal, tube, rod and bar stock, and cut it up and fasten it together to make all of our objects. None of our work is cast. The Table of Contents on the left of this page lists all of the steps we go through in building wallpieces in order. What follows here is a brief description of most of the processes we use with links to pages describing them more fully.
Note: this page itself is under construction.
The Metals: We work almost exclusively in non-ferrous metals, primarily brass and copper. Pictured here is some of the .040 inch thick brass sheet that has been cut for wallpiece parts.
Layout and cutting: We get most of our brass in 2 or 3 foot by 8 foot sheets and cut it to size using a kick shear, a bench shear, a corner notcher, and hand aviation shears.
Forming: We use a sheet metal brake for folding wallpiece parts. Otherwise, use hammers, anvils, a vise, dishing stumps, a drill press, heat, punches, and our own hands to form the sheet metal and bar stock to whatever shape we need for the piece at hand.
Finishing: grinding, 
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Designs and images copyright © 1990-2011 David M Bowman |
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