Merriam-Webster defines metalworking as the act or process of shaping things out of metal. This may sound like a simple definition, but the act and process itself is far from plain. Metalworking is an exact science and a meticulous craft only the most skilled of artisans could carry out properly. Similar to any other craft, there are certain terms and definitions professionals or any person having interest in metalworking should know. Here are some of them:

Metal Fabrication – metal fabrication is essentially the building of metal structures through a variety of means, which includes: cutting, bending, and assembling of metal components. To cut the metal components, one can use a manual or power tool, saw, shear, or chisel. Metal bending on the other hand, is done by manual hammering or use of power tool. This process typically produces metal structures that are V-shaped, U-shaped, or channel shaped. Meanwhile, joining the metal components together, or assembling, can be done by welding, riveting, and the use of powerful adhesives.

Metal Rolling – this is a metal forming process where a piece of metal is passed through a collection (usually a pair) of rollers to produce metal components. At present, there are many types of processes that employ rolling techniques and tools, such as flat rolling, roll bending, and roll forming. According to Paul Degarmo, in his book entitled, Materials and Processes in Manufacturing, rolling can be classified into two main categories depending on the temperature of the metal rolled: the first is hot rolling, when the temperature of the metal is above its recrystallization temperature. The second is termed cold rolling, when the temperature of the metal is below its recrystallization temperature.

Computer numerical control (CNC) machines, which are essentially machines that have analog and digital computers to guide them, are now revolutionizing metalworking processes. These automated machines perform CNC rolling, which makes metal rolling unparalleled precision and accuracy; doing the same thing on a manual machine will take a person ten times longer.

Tube Bending – According to the Manufacturing Processes Reference Guide by Robert Todd, tube bending is a manufacturing process that produces various shaped tubes "along a straight axis in ductile materials, most commonly sheet metal." Typically, bending has to go up against two types of material stresses: tensile stresses and compressive stresses. After the bending has been done, residual stresses will cause the metal to spring back to its original position, which is why the metal component has to be over-bent to get the desired angle.

Drilling – Drilling is the process by which a material is cut through the use of a drill bit. Drill bits come in various sizes and forms, and the particular bit to be used will depend on what kind of hole or cut is required. Section drilling is concerned with drilling in a specific section or area, according to specific measurements. This applies to metalworking, as drilling in specific areas is vital to constructing a precise and accurate metal structure.