Making metal products

Non-ferrous metals should be used because they contain iron so they don't rust.

Some examples include:

• Copper which is malleable, ductile and tough; although it does form a green patina when it is exposed to the outdoors for long periods of time
• Aluminium is also another good example because it is light, soft and ductile. 

Other forms of metals commonly used outdoors are alloys; alloys are a mixture of two or more metals. A good example of an alloy is brass; brass is commonly used outside as it is very weather resistant and rust resisitant.

Marking the metal

Before cutting the metal you need to mark out where you are going to cut it; in order to do this you use a scriber. Templates are commonly used to ensure accuracy with the shaping of the metal product your trying to cut out. 

Accuracy

In order to make the shape your cutting out accurate you need to use tools which enable you to make sure the end result is as accurate as possible. Tools which are commonly used to mark out straight lines are: a ruler and a try-square. To mark out curves a compass and centre punch are commonly used 

There are 3 main processes used to join metal; they are: soft soldering, hard soldering and welding.

Soft soldering

• quick method of joining copper, brass and tinplate
• A filler rod is used and melts at a relatively low temperature 
• Before applying the filler rod the surface must be cleaned using wire wool
• flux is then applied to prevent oxidisation

Hard soldering

• hard soldering uses a filler rod too but is a mixture of silver, copper and zind and melts at temperatures between 600 and 800 degrees

Welding

Welding is different from soldering in that the two pieces of metal are themselves melted along the joints, fusing together as they cool.