Work your way to fabricating success People have been hammering metal into shields, cookware, and ceremonial headdresses for centuries, and fabrication continues to be a popular and growing industry today. Fabricating For Dummies provides you with all the information you need to begin learning about metalworking, or fill any gaps in your existing knowledge in order to advance your career. Simply put, there's little out there for light reading on manufacturing. What's available is often quite expensive, so boring it puts you to sleep, or filled with so much technical gobbledygook that one's eyes glaze over within a few pages. This book offers a much-needed alternative, cutting through the jargon and getting right to the heart of what you need to know to take your fab skills to fabulous new heights. Get a glimpse of the day in the life of a fab worker Discover the different alloys, shapes, and sizes of sheet metal Understand welding and joining processes Master the use of press brakes, stamping presses, and turret punches Whether you want to get your feet wet with waterjets, laser cutters, or hi-definition plasma cutters, there's something for you inside this hands-on book!

Start a successful career in machining Metalworking is an exciting field that's currently experiencing a shortage of qualified machinists--and there's no time like the present to capitalize on the recent surge in manufacturing and production opportunities. Covering everything from lathe operation to actual CNC programming, Machining For Dummies provides you with everything it takes to make a career for yourself as a skilled machinist. Written by an expert offering real-world advice based on experience in the industry, this hands-on guide begins with basic topics like tools, work holding, and ancillary equipment, then goes into drilling, milling, turning, and other necessary metalworking processes. You'll also learn about robotics and new developments in machining technology that are driving the future of manufacturing and the machining market. Be profitable in today's competitive manufacturing environment Set up and operate a variety of computer-controlled and mechanically controlled machines Produce precision metal parts, instruments, and tools Become a part of an industry that's experiencing steady growth Manufacturing is the backbone of America, and this no-nonsense guide will provide you with valuable information to help you get a foot in the door as a machinist.