Metal Techniques for Craftsmen: A Basic Manual on the Methods of Forming and Decorating Metals (Hardcover)

~ Oppi Untracht (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This book gives complete instructions on the handling, working, and finishing of all metals. It begins with basic information and the characteristic qualities of each of the metals met by the craftsman, both precious and base. It then describes the various techniques in working metals, as well as methods of metal fabrication such as smithing, annealing, forging, and casting. The methods of metal finishing, as well as explanations of various hand tools and their uses are also included.

About the Author

Oppi Untracht's interest in crafts began in the 1930s and developed with Fine Arts degrees from New York University and Columbia. Metalwork, enamelling and jewellery are his special interests, and he has both taught and exhibited internationally in these mediums. He has written numerous articles for Graphis, Craft Horizons, American Craft and Colliers Encyclopedia, and is the author of Jewelery Concepts and Technology, also published by Robert Hale.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 509 pages
• Publisher: Robert Hale (August 1, 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0709107234
• ISBN-13: 978-0709107231
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 7.5 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #639,786 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Exhaustive treatment on artmetal techniques, June 12, 2004

By	Mark A. Kingston (Christchurch, New Zealand) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Metal Techniques for Craftsmen: A Basic Manual for Craftsmen on the Methods of Forming and Decorating Metals (Hardcover)

I took a chance on what the first two reviewers on this site said about this book and bought it unseen. Thanks to Oppi Untracht and those two people I have purchased a book without parallel. Their descriptions are both honest and accurate. In fact the title and sub-title of this book is both accurate and understated.
This is the most exhaustive photographic treatment of artmetal on the market. As an example we see a detailed treatment on inlaying in which a craftsman from India first casts and then inlays silver into a piece of Bidri work.(Bidri work is the inlaying of pure silver, in wire and sheet form, into cast objects of a non ferrous zinc alloy) Thirty Four photos show the process from casting a dish to finally polishing the finished product with the silver inlaid into the surface. There are other books on the market that talk about inlaying like "Metalwork and Enamelling" by Herbert Maryon (another excellent book) but they only talk us through the process whereas here we get to see it being done in photographic form. I will only list that one example but all the processes and subjects are explained equally well whether it be discussing Soldering, Casting Waxes or Raising metal, or even explaining the subject of Polishing Compounds.
The section at the back of the book on Material and Tool supply houses will be of much use to those living in North America. No doubt since its publication some of these will have closed but at lest it gives you a point of reference to start from and I only wished that we had them way down here at the bottom of the world.
The book also includes a good Glossary and there is also included a Bibliography which will be of use to those wanting to look up some of the older titles.
I will finish there as I am giddy with delight and am about to really start rambling on and believe that you will be too if you buy this outstanding book.
5+ Stars

41 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well written encyclopedic introduction to art metal work, March 11, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Metal Techniques for Craftsmen: A Basic Manual for Craftsmen on the Methods of Forming and Decorating Metals (Hardcover)

This book, printed in 1968 and reprinted in 1975 is a classic text with over 440 well written pages on metalworking processes and another 60 pages of detailed tables, charts, indexes et cetera. It provides a mini-course in the history, philosophy, anthropology and technology of art metal working.

The book is well illustrated in black and white, demonstrating a logical progression of techniques from ancient to mid 20th century. There is little except sketchy mention of industrial processes such as electroforming, heavy casting and spinning and none at all of recent gimmicks such as sonic carving.

In the paranoid and safety conscious social climate of the late 1990's the most notable deficit in this book is the general absense of discussion about health and safety hazard issues. (I suppose that when the book was written authors still presumed their readers had either common walking-around sense to know that fire is hot, dusts and fumes toxic and hammers would mash their itty bitty fingers or if in doubt would go look up safe shop practices in other books written on that subject.)

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a very thorough encyclopeadia of metalworking, December 25, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Metal Techniques for Craftsmen: A Basic Manual for Craftsmen on the Methods of Forming and Decorating Metals (Hardcover)

I have always regarded this as the ultimate reference book for metaworkers. It covers many different facets of metalworking in a very clear way with lots of good photographs. How can this important book be out of print?