IronWorkNY IronWork Tips

What Is A Angle Grinder?

2012-02-27T08:31:00.002-08:00

An angle grinder, also known as a side or disc grinder, is a handheld power tool used for cutting, grinding and polishing.

Angle grinders can be powered by an electric motor, petrol engine or compressed air. The motor drives a geared head at a right-angle on which is mounted an abrasive disc or a thinner cut-off disc, either of which can be replaced when worn. Angle grinders typically have an adjustable guard and a side-handle for two-handed operation. Certain angle grinders, depending on their speed range, can be used as a sander, employing a sanding disc with a backing pad or disc. The backing system is typically made of hard plastic, phenolic resin, or medium-hard rubber depending on the amount of flexibility desired.

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What Is Oxy-Fuel Cutting?

2012-02-14T11:48:00.000-08:00

In oxy-fuel cutting, a cutting torch is used to heat metal to kindling temperature. A stream of oxygen is then trained on the metal, and metal burns in that oxygen and then flows out of the cut (kerf) as an oxide slag.

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What Is Oxy-Fuel Welding?

2012-02-07T11:28:00.000-08:00

Oxy-fuel welding(commonly called oxyacetylene welding, oxy welding, or gas welding in the U.S.) and oxy-fuel cutting are processes that use fuel gases and oxygen to weld and cut metals, respectively. French engineers Edmond Fouché and Charles Picard became the first to develop oxygen-acetylene welding in 1903.[1] Pure oxygen, instead of air (20% oxygen/80% nitrogen), is used to increase the flame temperature to allow localized melting of the workpiece material (e.g. steel) in a room environment. A common propane/air flame burns at about 3,630 °F (2,000 °C), a propane/oxygen flame burns at about 4,530 °F (2,500 °C), and an acetylene/oxygen flame burns at about 6,330 °F (3,500 °C

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What Is Expanded Metal?

2012-02-01T08:27:00.000-08:00

Expanded metal is a form of metal stock made by shearing a metal plate in a press, so that the metal stretches, leaving diamond-shaped voids surrounded by interlinked bars of the metal. The most common method of manufacture is to simultaneously slit and stretch the material with one motion. It is often shortened to exmet, which also refers to a commercial firm by the same name that manufactures expanded metal. Also referred to as perforated metal, it is a large part of the metal industry and plays a key roll in fabrication.

Expanded metal is used in grates and in outdoor furniture (e.g. benches) or fencing. It is often used for guarding to prevent contact with hot surfaces or machinery.

Expanded metal is often used for architectural details and finds use in security applications such as in the walls of a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility because, in heavier grades, it is difficult to breach without heavy cutting equipment or explosives.

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How To Defeat A Thief?

2012-01-31T11:17:00.000-08:00

Nowadays, theives are everywhere. You want to keep your belongings safe from them. Here are some tips for riding mass transit:
Secure Your Backpack/Purse.
Keep Your Wallet, Up Front.
Carry your handbag,Up Front.
Stay With Others...During Off Peak Hours
a. Use Designated Waiting Areas
b. Ride In The Conductor's Car
Avoid Being "Bumped".
Be Alert For "Staged Distractions".
Keep Jewelry Hidden.
Protect Your Personal Space.
These tips will assist you in defeating a thief.
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What Are Diamond Plate(s)?

2012-01-31T08:23:00.000-08:00

Diamond plate, also known as checker plate, tread plate and Durbar floor plate, is a type of lightweight metal stock with a regular pattern of raised diamonds or lines on one side, with the reverse side being featureless. Diamond plate is usually steel, stainless steel or aluminum. Steel types are normally made by hot rolling, although modern manufacturers also make a raised and pressed diamond design.

Used on stairs and catwalks in industrial settings, the added texture reduces the risk of slipping. For this reason diamond plate is frequently used on the interior of ambulances and on the footplates of firetrucks. Diamond plate can also be used decoratively, particularly highly polished aluminum variants.

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Reasons Why Welders Wear Welding Helmets

2012-01-24T09:14:00.000-08:00

Welding helmets are headgear used when performing certain types of welding to protect the eyes, face and neck from flash burn, ultraviolet light, sparks, infrared light, and heat. Most commonly used with arc welding processes such as shielded metal arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding, and gas metal arc welding. Welding helmets are necessary to prevent arc eye, a painful condition where the cornea is inflamed. Welding helmets can also prevent retina burns, which can lead to a loss of vision. Both conditions are caused by unprotected exposure to the highly-concentrated ultraviolet and infrared rays emitted by the welding arc. Ultraviolet emissions from the welding arc can also damage uncovered skin, causing a sunburn-like condition in a relatively short period of welding. The modern welding helmet used today, was first introduced in 1937 by Willson Products. All welding helmets include a window covered with a filter called a lens shade, through which the welder can see to work. In most helmets, the window may be made of tinted glass, tinted plastic, or perhaps a variable-density filter made from a pair of polarized lenses. Recently helmets have been developed that use an electronic LCD shutter that darkens automatically when exposed to the bright welding arc so the welder can see to work under normal ambient light while wearing the helmet. With the development of electronic auto-darkening helmets, the welder no longer has to get ready to weld and then nod their head to lower the helmet over their face. However, these electronic auto-darkening helmets are significantly more expensive.

Tips For Protecting Your Cell Phone/Smartphone While Commuting on Mass Transit

2012-01-23T12:19:00.000-08:00

Cell phones has advanced since their debut. In these days and times, thieves are also stealing phones therefore, here are some tips to prevent your phone from being stolen:

Don't let it drop.
Pack it away.
Belt holders need to be secured.
Keep'em out of sight!

Make sure...."What yours, stays yours"
For more information, call NYC Transit Information at 718 330-1234 or visit our blog page at http://upkeepingyourironwork.blogspot.com

Tips For Protecting Your iPod While Commuting On Mass Transit

2012-01-18T11:59:00.000-08:00

In these days and times, iPods is one of the hottest item(s) for a thief. Don't be a victim of iPod theft. Here are some preventative tips to keep you and your belongings safe:
Stay Alert.
Keep ALL bags, backpacks and pocketbooks securely closed and in front of you.
Keep Your iPod out of sight.
Don't stay by the train doors when using electronic devices.
Be alert for pickpockets when listening to music.
Change the earpiece color when riding in public.
These tips can deter a thief from robbing you. For more safety info, you can call
NYC Transit Information at 718 330-1234 or visit us at http://upkeepingyourironwork.blogspot.com

What Is A Transformer Welding Style

2012-01-18T11:48:00.000-08:00

A transformer style welding power supply converts the high voltage and low current electricity from the utility mains into a high current and low voltage, typically between 17 to 45 volts and 55 to 590 amps. A rectifier converts the AC into DC on more expensive machines.
This design typically allows the welder to select the output current by either moving a magnetic shunt in and out of the core of the transformer or allows the welder to select the output voltage from a set of taps on the transformer. These machines are typically the least expensive.
Transformer designs are often bulky because they operate at the utiltiy mains frequency of 50 or 60 Hz. Such low frequency transformers must have a high magnetizing inductance to avoid wasteful shunt currents. The transformer may also have significant leakage inductance for short circuit protection. The leakage inductance may be variable so the operator can set the output current.

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Transit Safety Tips

2012-01-17T13:04:00.000-08:00

There has been a lot of thiefs on the Subway going on for awhile. Here are some tips on protecting your belongings:
Stay alert, especially listening to music.
Don't stay by the train doors.
Stay with others during off peak hours.
Use designated waiting areas.
Ride in the conductor's car.
Keep eletronic devices hidden.
Be alert for staged distractions.
Carry hand bag/wallet up front.

Applying these tips to your daily life will decrease your chance of being a victim.
For more information on subway safety call 718 330 1234. For emergencies call 911.
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What Are The Different Types Of Welding Machines

2012-01-17T12:08:00.000-08:00

Welding machines are usually classified as constant current (CC) or constant voltage (CV); a constant current machine varies its output voltage to maintain a steady current while a constant voltage machine will fluctuate its output current to maintain a set voltage. Shielded metal arc welding will use a constant current source and gas metal arc welding and flux-cored arc welding typically use constant voltage sources but constant current is also possible with a voltage sensing wire feeder.
The nature of the CV machine is required by gas metal arc welding and flux-cored arc welding because the welder is not able to control the arc length manually. If a welder attempted to use a CV machine to weld with shielded metal arc welding the small fluctuations in the arc distance would cause wide fluctuations in the machine's output. With a CC machine the welder can count on a fixed number of amps reaching the material to be welded regardless of the arc distance but too much distance will cause poor welding.

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What Is Stainless Steel?

2011-12-20T10:11:00.000-08:00

Stainless steel, also known as inox steel or inox from French "inoxydable", is defined as a steel alloy with a minimum of 10.5 or 11% chromium content by mass.
Stainless steel does not stain, corrode, or rust as easily as ordinary steel, but it is not stain-proof. It is also called corrosion-resistant steel or CRES when the alloy type and grade are not detailed, particularly in the aviation industry. There are different grades and surface finishes of stainless steel to suit the environment the alloy must endure. Stainless steel is used where both the properties of steel and resistance to corrosion are required.
Stainless steel differs from carbon steel by the amount of chromium present. Unprotected carbon steel rusts readily when exposed to air and moisture. This iron oxide film (the rust) is active and accelerates corrosion by forming more iron oxide. Stainless steels contain sufficient chromium to form a passive film of chromium oxide, which prevents further surface corrosion and blocks corrosion from spreading into the metal's internal structure.

What Steel Is Made Of?

2011-11-28T09:33:00.000-08:00

Steel is an alloy that consists mostly of iron and has a carbon content between 0.2% and 2.1% by weight, depending on the grade. Carbon is the most common alloying material for iron, but various other alloying elements are used, such as manganese, chromium, vanadium, and tungsten.[1] Carbon and other elements act as a hardening agent, preventing dislocations in the iron atom crystal lattice from sliding past one another. Varying the amount of alloying elements and the form of their presence in the steel (solute elements, precipitated phase) controls qualities such as the hardness, ductility, and tensile strength of the resulting steel. Steel with increased carbon content can be made harder and stronger than iron, but such steel is also less ductile than iron.
Alloys with a higher than 2.1% carbon content are known as cast iron because of their lower melting point and good castability.[1] Steel is also distinguishable from wrought iron, which can contain a small amount of carbon, but it is included in the form of slag inclusions. Two distinguishing factors are steel's increased rust resistance and better weldability.
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What Is Gas Metal Arc Welding?

2011-11-23T08:32:00.001-08:00

Gas metal arc welding (GMAW), sometimes referred to by its subtypes metal inert gas (MIG) welding or metal active gas (MAG) welding, is a semi-automatic or automatic arc welding process in which a continuous and consumable wire electrode and a shielding gas are fed through a welding gun. A constant voltage, direct current power source is most commonly used with GMAW, but constant current systems, as well as alternating current, can be used. There are four primary methods of metal transfer in GMAW, called globular, short-circuiting, spray, and pulsed-spray, each of which has distinct properties and corresponding advantages and limitations.
Originally developed for welding aluminum and other non-ferrous materials in the 1940s, GMAW was soon applied to steels because it allowed for lower welding time compared to other welding processes. The cost of inert gas limited its use in steels until several years later, when the use of semi-inert gases such as carbon dioxide became common. Further developments during the 1950s and 1960s gave the process more versatility and as a result, it became a highly used industrial process. Today, GMAW is the most common industrial welding process, preferred for its versatility, speed and the relative ease of adapting the process to robotic automation. The automobile industry in particular uses GMAW welding almost exclusively. Unlike welding processes that do not employ a shielding gas, such as shielded metal arc welding, it is rarely used outdoors or in other areas of air volatility. A related process, flux cored arc welding, often does not utilize a shielding gas, instead employing a hollow electrode wire that is filled with flux on the inside.

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What Is Cast Iron?

2011-11-22T12:32:00.000-08:00

Cast iron is produced in a furnace stoked with alternate layers of coking iron then poured into molds. After the iron cools off, the sand is cleaned off. The Chinese were the first to use cast iron from the 6th century AD using it as support for pagodas and other buildings.
It was introduced into Europe by the 15th century with its main decorative uses being as firebacks and plates for woodburning stoves in Germany, the Netherlands and Scandinavia. By the end of the 18th century, cast iron was increasing used for railings, balconies, banisters and garden furniture due to its lower cost.

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What is Welding?

2011-11-15T09:01:00.000-08:00

Welding is a fabrication or sculptural process that joins materials, usually metals or thermoplastics, by causing coalescence. This is often done by melting the workpieces and adding a filler material to form a pool of molten material (the weld pool) that cools to become a strong joint, with pressure sometimes used in conjunction with heat, or by itself, to produce the weld. This is in contrast with soldering and brazing, which involve melting a lower-melting-point material between the workpieces to form a bond between them, without melting the workpieces.

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What Iron Is Made Of....

2011-11-09T08:37:00.000-08:00

Wrought iron is commercially pure iron. In contrast to steel, it has a very low carbon content. It is a fibrous material due to the slag inclusions (a normal constituent). This is also what gives it a "grain" resembling wood, which is visible when it is etched or bent to the point of failure. Wrought iron is tough, malleable, ductile and easily welded. Examples of items that used to be produced from wrought iron include: rivets, chains, railway couplings, water and steam pipes, raw material for manufacturing of steel, nuts, bolts, horseshoes, handrails, straps for timber roof trusses, boiler tubes, and ornamental ironwork. Wrought iron is no longer produced on a commercial scale. Many products described as wrought iron, such as guard rails, are made of mild steel. They retain that description because they were formerly made of wrought iron or have the appearance of wrought iron. True wrought iron is occasionally required for the authentic conservation of historic structures.

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2011-05-24T08:30:00.000-07:00

Here is some of our latest work!

Take These Precautions Before Leaving From Your Home/Business

2010-10-27T17:02:00.000-07:00

DEPENDING WHERE YOUR GOING/COMING, YOU SHOULD ALWAYS CHECK YOUR HOME ESPECIALLY YOUR DOORS AND WINDOWS BEFORE LEAVING YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS!

ALWAYS SECURE WINDOWS, DOORS, GATES, WINDOW GUARDS, CELLAR DOORS, ETC. BECAUSE THEY DO NOT PREVENT A BURGLAR FROM ENTERING IF THE ARE NOT LOCKED/SECURED.

Protecting Your Home From Potential Burglaries

2010-10-27T15:41:00.000-07:00

At Home You Should:
Have your key ready before you get to the front door.
Make sure your entrance area is well lighted.
If you live in an apartment don't be polite and hold the lobby door open for a stranger who has been waiting.
List only your last name and first initial in your mailbox.
Don't buzz someone inside unless you know them.
If a stranger wants to use your phone for any kind of call from business to emergency ........ keep him out and you make the call for them! Any problems or in doubt? Call the police!
If you arrive home and find your door open DO NOT GO INSIDE call the police from a pay phone or neighbors house and ask them to meet you.
Don't get on the elevator with a stranger if your own good judgment warns you against it -- need an excuse to avoid embarrassment say something like; "Oh I forgot my mail

Watch Out For Deceptive Burglaries

2010-10-27T13:33:00.001-07:00

A deception burglary is a burglary committed by person(s) that gain entry to the home by posing as an employee of a particular company. This includes, but is not limited to, utility companies, delivery companies and construction companies such as UPS, FEDEX, CON EDISON & the DEP.
To avoid being a victim of a deception burglary,Custom Metal Products is offering the following safety tips:
NEVER give out any financial information, especially…
Social Security Number
Credit card information
Bank account information

Stay inside your home

Don’t open the door!

If possible, verify his/her I.D. through the peephole OR WINDOW

To verify a Con Edison employee’s I.D. you can call 1-800-752-6633

To verify a DEP employee’s I.D. you can call (718) 595-7000
If you can’t verify the I.D. or if you feel unsafe or suspect criminal activity:

Call 911 immediately .

Safety Tips For You, Your Family and Your Home Especially During The Holidays

2010-10-11T15:03:00.000-07:00

In these days and times, you have to be extra careful of burgulars and con artist. Here are some tips on keeping you and your family safe, especially during the holiday season:

1 When coming into your home, have your keys ready! Do not go looking and fumbling around for your keys when your at your property. This may lead to a push in.

2.If possible,have motion security lights in the front and back of house. (Especially the front so you can see what your doing as well as who and what is in your immediate area/surroundings.)

3. If someone rings your bell,check to see who or what is at your door. (go to the window first or look through your door's peep hole to see who is at your door first before inquiring/allowing entry.)

4. Always ask service companies who are at your door to show you their ID's before you let them in. (example: Con Ed, Police Officer, or any other contractors(private and public)/city worker to show ID. There are people out here who is out to do harm/scam us.Especially people who say they're from the census bureau and those saying they can lower you electric bill.)

5, Check all locks on window guards, gates, cellar doors, roof hatches, etc to make sure they are working properly and are secure.If your having problems, call a ironworker/welder to fix any problems that you feel are needed.

6 If you are going away on a trip, make sure to have some one pick up your mail so that potential
burglars will not know you are away from your home or try to perform identity thef on you.

7 If possible,put a timer system on your lights when your going on vacation or just away for a long period of time so that it would appear that someone is home.

Hopefully this would keep you and your family safe and aware.

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Securing Your Tools In Your Backyard

2010-10-11T14:53:00.000-07:00

If you keep tools in the backyard, make sure you put them away so that the potential criminals can't use them to gain access to your home or anyone else.

Securing Your Backyard Electrical Outlets

2010-10-11T14:43:00.000-07:00

If there are electrical outlets exposed in the backyard, make sure you have a cut off switch because potential criminals can use their power tools to gain access to your property.

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Securing Your Ladder In Your Backyard

2010-10-11T14:39:00.000-07:00

If you own a home/brownstone, never leave your ladder down in your backyard because that gives criminals access to the upper windows including your roof.

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When Your Iron Work Starts To Appear Dull

2010-10-11T14:32:00.000-07:00

a. Primer coat all iron work every 3 to 4 years
b. Finish in oil based deck paint

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Home Tips Reminder

2010-10-11T14:27:00.000-07:00

Most burgulars strike between the times 10am to 3pm during business hours. We suggest that you have a timer for your lights, radio, television and/or anything that make noise.

Do not put your spare key(s) under your mat outside your home and don't put them in the mailbox. Those are the first two places burgulars check.

Home Safety Tips When On Vacation

2010-02-10T10:18:00.000-08:00

We all need some rest and relaxation once in a while. I know I do. So, here are some tips on keeping you and your family belongings safe.

If you have a security system, make sure you turn it on before going on your trip. Some people have automatic timers for lighting or an alarm clock. Set them for the same time like any ordinary day. You should turn the phone down because that is a green light for burgulars.

If possible, consult with a family member/friend/neighbor on having them stop by your home periodically so that would deter burgulars. Try to have them do the same routines as if they were you such as opening and shutting drapes or your lighting patterns especially because that a green light also for burgulars.You just want to give your home that "occupied" look to keep burgulars away.

Before you go on your trip, postpone all deliveries to your home such as mail, newspapers, etc. Burgulars pay attention to those patterns. Have someone pick up whatever is necessary or have the company hold your item(s) until you come home.

Also, if you can go to your local police dept. to make arrangements for them to check on your home periodically (If possible).

These are the tips I use when I'm on vacation. I hope this can assist you and your family.

What You Should Do If You See Rusting(Reddish Color) On Your Ironwork

2010-01-26T14:36:00.000-08:00

When you notice a reddish color around the hinges on your property.

Scrape away the rust with a wire brush the before the hinges seizes up (for safety: wear protective goggles for your eyes)

Use WD-40 and put it on the hinge area. If you don't have WD-40, you can use regular cooking oil.

The most important thing is that there is lubrication for the hinges.

You should to do this every 4 months so that you do not have to replace the hinges in which is more costly than a can of WD-40 lubricant.

When You Notice An Area Rusting On Your IronWork

2010-01-26T14:25:00.000-08:00

Take care of the damage so that there's no further damage done to to the steel
Remove rust from the area with a wire brush.(for safety wear: protective goggles for your eyes)
Prime the metal. Coat area and at least 5" beyond the metal.
Paint the metal with oil based paint so that it would slow down the rusting.

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