Wiley Tiki Talk
Welcome one and all to Tiki Talk!
First of all, what’s with the name right? Well, Tiki Talk comes from our fun project where we used scrap metal to build our unique Tiki Bar. At our scrap metal Tiki Bar we’ve shared a few cold ones and exchanged some pretty good (and also some pretty bad) ideas. We figured it would be a great name for our virtual gathering place.
Tiki Talk is our blog, but more importantly we want it to be a place where we can address your questions, share your comments and let you know what is going on with our company. We want everyone to take part…customers, potential customers, experts and novices alike. We hope it will be a fun and friendly exchange.
Look, if we could hang and have a couple of beers and play a round of golf with everyone, we would do that. Believe me we would do that. For now, Tiki Talk is the place. Pull up a stool and join in.
4 Factors Influencing Cut Edge
4 Factors Influencing Cut Edge Quality (and Why it Matters Anyway) When cutting metal there's usually a lot of thought given to speed and accuracy. Those are important but we'd argue edge quality is another factor to consider. It's also one that doesn't get the...
Aluminum Extrusions Can Help Reduce Truck Trailer Weight
Aluminum trailer components can be more durable than their steel equivalents thanks to a combination of ductility and corrosion-resistance.
Stainless vs. Carbon Steel in Metal Fabrication
Steel is the Brady Bunch of fabrication metals. There's a lot of them and they're all related in one way or another. Plus, each type of steel has its own unique quirks and peculiarities. Many fans of the TV show had a favorite actor they followed through all five...
5 Bending and Stretch Forming Methods for Aluminum Extrusion
When aluminum is extruded through a die it's supposed to come out straight. Die designers put a lot of effort into achieving that result because bent or twisted extrusion is of no use in many applications. There are occasions though when curved or radiused aluminum...
AI and Robotics: Manufacturing Labor Multiplier or Labor Replacer?
Pinsetter. Telegraphist. Typist. Those jobs are gone, obsoleted by advances in technology. But where are the marauding hordes of unemployed pinsetters? Well there aren't any. They all went on to something else. Maybe they're now web designers or Instagram...
Why Aluminum RV Parts are Gaining Popularity
Aluminum is like that cool kid you knew in High School. It seems to do everything really well, and always looks good doing it. Sure, other kids were stronger, taller, maybe smarter even, but none offered quite the all-round package of mister, or miss, Cool. Of...
10 Questions About Powder Coating Large Weldments
For large weldments, powder coating has some advantages. A high-quality final coating is both long lasting and looks great.
How Standard Extruded Aluminum Section Streamlines Fabrication Projects
Standard extruded aluminum profiles could make your next fabrication project easy. Well maybe not easy, but definitely quicker. Think of these shapes as aluminum Legos: they give you the flexibility to make whatever you want whenever you want it. Skeptical about...
Aluminum vs. Steel for Decreasing Trailer Weight
Even if you've no desire to live in one, you must admit, Airstream trailers look cool. Aerodynamic styling is part of the appeal, but so too is the bright aluminum bodywork. It's said that 70% of all Airstream trailers ever built are still on the road, and while...
How We Improved Our On-Time Delivery to 95%
Our Quest to Improve On-Time Delivery to 95% Most of our blogs in Tiki Talk discuss subjects of general interest in manufacturing and frequently metal fabrication in particular. In recent posts, we've discussed the economy, technology, tariffs' and a host of other...
Deburring Metal: Removing Sharp Edges from Your Fabricated Products
Remember Jaws? Those rows of jagged teeth in the shark's mouth kept even the most enthusiastic swimmers out of the ocean for years. Well burrs on sheet metal are like miniature shark's teeth, ready to slice and dice soft flesh. That's why people in our shop wear...
US Manufacturing Facing Mild Recession? How to Prepare Your Business
News executives on cable business channels seem to be chatting about it endlessly. Even mainstream media is getting in on the talk. The discussion surrounds the state of the U.S. economy and recession. Are we heading into one? Are we already into it? Will it be...
