Patina can give metal a weathered, aged look, and using vinegar and salt is an easy, natural way to accelerate this process. Here’s how you can do it: Materials Needed: White vinegar Table salt Spray bottle or brush Fine steel wool or sandpaper (optional, for surface prep) A plastic container or a non-reactive surface (glass,…
When selecting metals for gates, doors, and fences, it’s important to consider durability, maintenance, appearance, and cost. Here are the most commonly used metals and their characteristics: Best Metals for Gates, Doors, and Fences Wrought Iron Pros: Extremely durable, decorative, customizable designs Cons: Requires regular maintenance to prevent rust, expensive Steel Pros: Very strong, more…
Patina: What is it? Almost every day, people ask me to explain what patinas are or to define them. Within the industry, the term has become extremely popular. We see a wide range of goods with “patina” finishes for sale. When metal is exposed to the elements, a natural chemical process called patina occurs. Similar…
Patina can be a confusing term as it has become an industry catchphrase for metalworking and applies to other industries like furniture. New products are being sold with “patina finishes” all the time and it makes it hard for consumers to know exactly what patina means. What is Patina Patina is a general term that…
There are many alloys used in the metal fabrication process and they all have their respective strengths that they bring to the table. While many of us own metal products, the properties of the metals that our products are constructed from. Aluminum alloys are usually a mix of aluminum coupled with magnesium, copper, zinc or…
There are many out there who wonder what the inherent differences are between hot rolled steel and cold rolled steel. While both are very common, there are subtle differences that should definitely be accounted for when choosing metal products for specific applications. There are advantages to both and we will outline some of those for…
Choosing fabrication shops that suit your needs is an extremely important decision that could affect your production quality, manufacturing rate and cost effectiveness of any given project. To help you select the right fab shop, you should consider the following: Fabrication Experience – Custom metal fabricators that have a lot of experience and reviews online…
Computer Numerical Control, known as CNC machining, is a system that manages tool movement and function with a software program in order to achieve results that display extreme accuracy. The precision involved in CNC can truly take a company’s fabrication process to the next level. Customers will see better quality in the products they receive…
You hear the word ‘galvanized’ all the time when it comes to metals. Whether you are shopping for materials or purchasing a finished product of metal fabrication, you’ll inevitably hear the word thrown around. So, what is galvanization? Galvanization is a process that metal is put through in order to protect it from corrosion. There…
Artistic Alloys in Phoenix, Arizona is a metal fabrication shop that creates unique, one-of-a-kind pieces that are functional, efficient and beautiful. Creativity is something that gets overlooked or under appreciated in certain industries and Artistic Alloys believes that creativity is actually the ingredient that separates them from the pack that they are in constant competition…