Glossary of Blacksmithing and Metalworking Terms

Definitions of words as used in metalworking

This is one part of a larger metalworking glossary project that also includes an International Glossary as well as linking to illustrations and charts as needed.

See Alphabet Soup for blacksmithing and metalworking acronyms.

METALWORKING WORD of the DAY : Sparex

A proprietary chemical mixture primarily composed of Sodium bisulfate and sodium sulfate with a small amount of sodium chloride as a buffer. Sparex is a dry white powder that is dissolved in hot water to produce an acidic pickle. It is used by jewelers and other metalworkers as a substitute for sulphuric acid for removing metal oxides from copper, brass and noble metals.

1/7th rule

The draw rate of acetylene cylinders. This says that given the volume of gas stored in the cylinder at normal pressure you should only draw gas at 1/7 that volume per hour. This also means that under maximum normal use you should expect 7 hours of gas supply from an acetylene cylinder. Example: Using a 140 cubic foot cylinder gas should be drawn a a maximum rate of 20 CFH (Cubic Feet per Hour).
See Gas Facts

acquisititus

ac· quiz’ i · t ¯ i’ tis,
a.  An obsessive need to acquire everything associated with one field of interest. Particularly afflicting Blacksmiths, Computer Geeks and other tool, hardware and software collectors. Origin, JOSH GREENWOOD, one of the first to recognize the symptoms in himself.
JOCK DEMPSEY – March 27, 1987

See www.vermiculite.net for more information.

Capitalization rule (SI English)
SI (System International, IE; metric) units of measurment named for a person are capitalized while others are not. The same rule should be applied to traditional units.

References and Links