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Greetings to our favorite Metalworkers! This week, we have 8 featured videos that are selected from some of the most popular Metalworking subcategories.  Each
video has a unique skill or project that we think any metalworker could appreciate and learn to do themselves! Use them for such practical projects as making a boat trailer, welding a basketball backboard/net setup for yourself and/or the kids, or fix your lawn mower!

We’ve included some customer reviews so you can see exactly what each title is all about before you watch it! Check out one of our top-rated featured titles below (currently no wait for any of them!) and enjoy learning
something new and the fun projects you’ll be able to complete! Enjoy, and Happy Spring to our treasured
customers!

Drilling, Tapping, and Milling on the Drill Press

Drill presses are found in almost every workshop. Most people only use
their drill press for drilling holes, but this video shows that it can
be used for several other machining operations.

Rent this video and
learn to use your drill press for tasks you never thought of before.
Save money and improve you accuracy at the same time. Here are some customer comments:

• “Top of my list of MUST SEE DVDs. A really top flight instruction on the basics of Drill Bits, Drill Presses, Drilling and Tapping. Also addresses holding work down, reaming and safety. He knows his stuff and explains it so perfectly, you come away
  knowing more! He also does not state “opinions”. He sticks to facts. Rent it today, you won’t be sorry.” - James C.

• “This is a basic introduction to using a drill press. I found it to be
  quite good for giving a solid foundation of the techniques needed to
  safely and properly use a drill press to perform basic drilling,
  reaming, tapping and milling. Though I was familiar with a lot of the
  material I did come away with some additional knowledge of the
  material. I thought it was worthwhile and would recommend it.” - Robert M.

• “A great video. Covers every aspect of using your drill press for
  various purposes; goes into great detail about setup and clamping
  options, various bits, chucks, techniques - really thorough. The
  included tables of bit-size for each thread is invaluable. My only
  quibble was with the photography, which was usually excellent - often,
  when he would bring the drill down onto the work, his arm would obscure
  the work - could have been solved by some pre-planning or moving the
  camera occasionally. Otherwise, 10 stars.” - Steven A.

Rent Drilling, Tapping, and Milling on the Drill Press today!

Welding: GMAW (MIG) Wire Feed Welding

This recently-produced video provides a ‘working knowledge’ of the
technical aspects, plus the welder skills necessary for using the Gas
Metal Arc Welding process, commonly referred to as mig welding (solid
wire with an externally furnished shielding gas).

This process has been
used in industry for a long time, but with the development of smaller,
less expensive welding machines, lots of people have them, and many more are getting them because of its ease of operation. Steve also covers safety
concerns inherent with all welding procedures. Here’s what some customers thought:

• “Concise coverage in this 45 minute DVD. But I don’t believe Steve missed any of the basics. Good production value.” - Todd R.

• “A nice, concise introduction to MIG welding. Good examples, good
  photography, enough to get you started welding without being
  overwhelming. Recommended as your first MIG welding video (it’s also
  similar to the video that comes with many 115V MIG welders).” - Steven A.

• “I was really happy with this DVD. I am a total beginner with welding,
  trying to get some knowledge before I start and that just what this DVD
  is all about.
  I felt it’s a really good explanation on what MIG is and how to do it
  well.
  I really liked that they didn’t stop to the most common MIG practices,
  but they also went on with more obscure stuff.” - Samuel W.

Rent GMAW (MIG) Wire Feed Welding today!

Lathe: Advanced Aspects of Machine Lathe Operation

Rudy’s back with two hours worth of excellent advanced techniques for
achieving a very high degree of accuracy while boring, turning, facing,
threading, milling or grinding on your lathe. See below for some more insight on this video from our customers who rented it:

• “I liked the video a lot. I’ve had a Atlas 10″ lathe for about 35
  years, but I am no machinist. I learned a lot from the video and I’m
  anxious to put this knowledge to work. Rudy makes you wonder “why didn’t I think of that” when he shows you how to do something.” - John W.

• “So I believe you need to know the slang and, what your machine as to offer you or what ever you do in this world. Rudy starts from ZERO and works his way up to 10.
  The man is great at what he does and teaches.
  Very Informative! Why spend time making something that you know is done right or
  because you believe everything is straight out of the box. Your work is
  not!!! This video should be the first you need to rent before doing any metalworking. Great info!” - Ronald H.

• “I have been a professional science educator for more than 25 years and
  have very high standards for laboratory instruction. This video was
  clear and direct! I learned a great deal despite my 5+ years as an
  amateur and self-taught lathe operator.” - Grayson D.

Rent Advanced Aspects of Machine Lathe Operation today!

Sheetmetal: Motorcycle Metal Fabrication: from Sheet to Street

Watch master metal fabricator Ron Fournier create custom motorcycle
sheet metal parts from scratch, including construction of an aluminum
tank, fairing and front fender in this comprehensive film. Use this video for more than motorcycles - repair your aluminum fishing boat, do work on your truck, start work on a customer chopper now that the weather is nice!

Also
featured is step-by-step fabrication of the bike’s entire rear section
which includes the fender, sides and seat pan. Each step and every
technique is clearly demonstrated in a manner that shows the viewer how
to make custom parts of their own design.

The entire metal
shaping process is detailed with thorough explanations and helpful tips
to ‘de-mystify’ metal working magic. From pattern to finished product -
Ron explains custom metal work - the result is professional and ready
for paint. Armed with fundamental metal shaping knowledge, some
essential tools - and a few “tricks of the trade”, you can take your
next project from sheet to street!

Demonstration & Instruction on: Project Planning, Pattern Development, Buck Design & Fabrication, Annealing, Blocking and Smoothing, Metal Shaping using an English wheel, Shrinking & Stretching, Heliarc Tack-Welding & Gas Welding, Tips on Final Trim & Fit, Metal Finishing. Here are some comments from customers who rented this video:

• “Very, very good. Exceptional learning aid. You can read all the books on
  this stuff, but a video sure helps to put things into a better light.” - Leo B.

• “In my opinion, there is noone who represents the process of
  converting an idea into three dimensional sheet metal quite like Ron
  Fournier. I have had the great luck to have attended one of his schools
  in Michigan. Ron is a great teacher. He doesn’t miss a step. Ron is
  very methodical, very precise and has a reason for doing everything he
  does, all of it learned from his own experience as a metal shaper. And,
  all the years of his experience are there for the student to absorb, if
  the student is alert to it. In this video, Ron does exactly the same thing that he does in his
  classes. The viewer not only gets to see what he is doing, but he tells
  you why he is doing it. He leaves nothing out, including an explanation
  for why he prefers one tool over another for a particular shape of cut
  to an explanation for why a buck is constructed as it is or whether or
  not he will wash a part when he is finished with it. Be sure to stay
  alert for the explanation of the patterns he wheels on the English
  wheel. It is ALL there. Add to that, the viewer can stand over his
  shoulder and watch as he starts with a sheet of paper and progresses to
  a complete motorcycle. In this video, Ron Fournier packs so much insight into the time that
  is available on two disks, that the viewer can come away feeling like
  he has just had a private two hour lesson with one of the very best. I give “Motorcycle Metal Fabrication: from Sheet to Street” five dollies out of five.” - John M.

• “I haven’t found a bad one so far, the service SmartFlix is also very
  good. This DVD was very well done. Can’t say enough!!!!” - Lonnie C.

Rent Motorcycle Metal Fabrication: from Sheet to Street today!

Welding: Lugged Framebuilding

This set of DVD’s, produced by Tim Paterek, comes in a seven disk set.
It covers every step of building a lugged bicycle frame using only hand
tools.

Chapter markers make it easy to locate particular scenes. The
only power tools used in this set of DVD’s are a hand operated die
grinder, a drill press, and an electric hand drill.

The primary joining
technique used in this instructional tape is 56% cad free silver
brazing. Here is what a customer said about this video:

• “Tim’s work and attention to detail are second to none. This is
  definitely one of those videos that you need to watch several times to
  get the most out of it. He gives so many helpful techniques that I
  recommend getting a notebook and taking notes. Even if you aren’t
  planning on building a lot of frames (I just want to build one) it’s
  well worth watching this video. Every question I have about building
  frames was answered by Tim’s videos. There are so many times during the
  course of watching these videos that Tim would mention doing something
  and explain why he did it, and I thought to myself ‘I never would have
  thought of that, but it makes perfect sense.’ This video is not one of those ‘entertaining’ videos, so don’t
  expect your non-biking friends or family members to enjoy this video.
  But if you are into bikes, these videos will tell you more than you
  ever wanted to know.” - Chad T.

Rent Lugged Framebuilding today and get buildin’!

Basic Skills: Fileworking

Learn from Fileworking Master Dwayne Dushane in your own home. Watch
as he takes you step-by-step through 3 different designs of
fileworking. You will learn the S pattern, the Vine pattern, and the
Rope pattern in simple to follow steps.

Packed with two
hours of valuable information, see how easy it is to embellish your
knives with inexpensive tools such as files. Discover techniques that
will make your work look more professional while giving you the
knowledge to complete fileworking projects on your own. Here’s what some customers said about Fileworking:

• “A useful easy to understand instructional session with from a humble
  instructor. Filmed well and explained fully, you can’t go wrong.” - Tim W.

• “I found this DVD to be extremely helpful. It has given me additional
  ideas and insights to knife fileworking. I would recommend this video
  to anyone who wishes to enhance their craft.” - Eric E.

• “This was an excellent video. The author was very thorough in describing his techniques.” - Ken C.

Rent Fileworking today!

Milling: The Bridgeport Mill

Precision Measure brings you this fantastic series on the Bridgeport Mill - it’s all you’ll need to master this piece of equipment.  Coming from a true master, each piece of information is carefully explained and demonstrated, each of the DVDs totalling about one and a half hours of learning and troubleshooting your machine.  Below, you can see exactly what’s included on each of the DVDs:

Tape #1 - The Bridgeport Mill 1 (about 90 minutes)
I - Introduction - An overview of the entire series
II - Mill Head - Explains the different parts of the machine
III - Indicating Head - Step-by-step explanations
IV - Indicating Vise - How to mount vise on the table
V - Tooling - A brief rundown of the essential to

Tape #2 - The Bridgeport Mill 2 (about 90 minutes)
I - Broken Stud In Exhaust Manifold
II - Centering Work - Different ways to make sure you are over the center of your work
III - Boring Head - How to setup and use the boring head
IV - Shaping - Uses for your mill you may not have considered
V - Tube Notching - How to fish mouth perfect joints for tubing
VI - Work Holding Vise - Suggests best type of vise to use and why
VII - Flycutting Pistons - How to setup and flycut pistons

Tape #3 - The Bridgeport Mill 3 (about 90 minutes)
I - Gas Porting Pistons - How to gas port pistons
II - Crankshaft V Blocks - Different uses for the v blocks
III - Additional V Block Projects - More uses for the v blocks
IV - Cylinder Head Surfacing - Step by demonstation on head surfacing
V - Valve Work - Different approaches to valve work
VI - Rotary Table - A quick look at the advantages a rotary table brings to your projects

Here are some comments from customers who rented this video:

• “Where this series doesn’t cover the basic operations thoroughly, it is
  a more advanced on methods, techniques. The nuggets of information
  throughout these videos make this set worthwhile. While not
  professionally filmed, I rent these videos for the information content,
  this is money well spent. I thought so much of it that I also rented his Lathe Learning series.” - Gerald C.

• “These tapes provided a lot of of needed information…Easy to understand…A BIG HELP—Thanks.” - John K.

• “As with the Lathe Learnin’ set, Precision Measurement here produces a
  remarkably good piece of instruction.
  The instructor (whose name I never can quite get) communicates his own
  enthusiasm for machine tool operation, in this case, the Bridgeport
  type mill. The applications are mostly automotive and very little if
  any use is made of end mill work, but as an overall introduction and
  encouragement to the use of a mill this is quite excellent. Many of the
  set up proceedures are visual using a variety of fixtures;and that may
  strike some users as superficial; but, they work! There is much to
  machinig that can seem wearisome to a beginner or at least a less than
  expert machinist. This video eliminates much of that dread.” - John P.

Rent The Bridgeport Mill series today!

Surface Treatments: Hot Patina for Bronze, Brass, & Copper

Go step-by-step through the hot patina process and the patinas. Begin
with safety, tools, alloy of metal, and surface preparation. Then learn
how to make and apply over 15 different hot patinas and how to protect
them indoors and out.

Included is information on how to use paint, dye,
pigment, oxides, and mica powders in combination to achieve varied
finishes. Here are what some customers said about this video:

• “This DVD, along with Ron Young’s other DVDs, are a must see for any one
  that works metal, whether for art, jewelry, deco or building adornment.
  They are a supplement to his books on the subject. The only way they
  could be made better is to have more close-up shots of the pieces and
  listing of the formulas as he is using them or a section on the DVD for
  print out lists of info.” - Glen P.

• “Was very well done and was organized in an easy to follow format. It is
  primarily for those interested in learning about patina’s for cast
  bronze pieces although the materials and techniques would apply to most
  items. May not be as useful for small jewelry pieces. The instructor
  was very clear and had materials organized well for the presentation
  sections.” - Les R.

• “I loved them I just wish I had more time to view them. I am a beginner
  and it takes me a bit longer to try to grasp all the concepts. But
  other then that it seems the possibilities for creating beautiful &
  colorful art is endless. Thanks.” - Matt B.

Rent Hot Patina for Bronze, Brass, & Copper today!

SmartFlix Gift Cards!

Is
a friend or someone in the family’s birthday coming up? What about
graduations, anniversaries, or just a surprise for someone you love?
Give the gift of knowledge in it’s most fun and entertaining form - a
SmartFlix Gift Card! This is a cool and different kind of gift for
anyone in your life, and perfect for any occasion. 

Gift cards
are available in $10, $25, $50, and $100 denominations. So surprise
someone you love with a real treat, and take it from us - people think
these gift cards are fantastic as well as extremely useful! 

Click here to purchase a gift card that is redeemable for renting any of the thousands of videos SmartFlix offers!

Great Deal for SmartFlix Customers…

We’ve
started up a special offer that we think all SmartFlix customers can
benefit from - we’ve teamed up with our friends over at Make &
Craft Magazines! In every envelope we mail out (the ones we put the
videos in), we will include a flyer with information about the two
fantastic aforementioned publications.  We’re making it easier than
ever for you to enjoy these two magazines - you can sign up for a
subscription on this flyer, and mail it right in.  So next time you
rent from us, look for the flyer, and sign up to receive either or both
of these awesome magazines - this kind of stuff is right up your
alley! 

10 Non-Metalworking Videos We Think You’ll Love!

The
following Top 10 list has been built just for you, whether you’re a metalworker by casual hobby, professionally, or anything in between!  We built a list of SmartFlix DVDs from categories other than Metalworking that we think might appeal to you.  Check them out, and have fun!

10. Solving Refrigerator Problems - Save hundreds of dollars by being able to repair fridge problems yourself…these skills will come easy to you metalworkers!
9. Framing Floors & Stairs - Help to build or refinish a house…this is part of a series that can teach you a boatload of information on homebuilding!
8. Sons of the Beach Sandcastling - Watch this before a vacation or a beach trip…even adults will become addicted to building sandcastles - don’t forget to include the kids!
7. Antique Radio Restoration - Another skill we think will come easy to the nimble hands of metalworkers!
6. Xtreme Detailing - Glass repair, interior car, leather repair, plastic rejuvenations,
carpet cleaning, dyeing and repair are also covered in-depth along with
many other tips and tricks!
5. Making a Sub-Hilt Fighter - This amazing video takes you step by step through making your own workable sub-hilt fighter!
4. Beating Blackjack - This DVD will take you inside the mind of a M.I.T. team card counter as
he gives you the secrets that made him and his team Millions in Vegas.
3. Everlast Boxing Workout: Beginner - Ideal for boxers and athletes of all skill levels. Learn secrets from the former world champion.
2. Visual Guide to Lockpicking - This DVD is the definitive guide to learning
the art of picking locks. It explains several types of locks and
lock picking techniques.
1. Reproduce Almost Anything - Need to make an impossible-to-find part? - Learn how to use basic
silicone mold making technology, to cast plastic, metal, rubber and
ceramic parts.

We
hope you enjoyed this newsletter! What do you want to see in the next
newsletter? Let us know what you think - submit ideas, questions, and
comments to katherine@smartflix.com.

Be sure to get out and enjoy the beautiful Spring weather! Happy Renting, and as always, a big THANK YOU to all of our customers across the world!

- The SmartFlix.com Team

Hello and Happy Spring to our SmartFlix Digital Artists!

Have you ever dreamed of mastering skills within the Digital Art field that previously seemed impossible? Books are good, but don’t really show you HOW it’s done.  Buying DVDs is good - but expensive: purchasing even one or two courses on DVD can set you back $300 or $400.  There is an answer, though: saving money, and getting a full hands-on experience by renting how-to DVDs from SmartFlix.com!

SmartFlix.com has the answer for those of you looking to advance your skills cheaply and quickly.  Since we’ve last sent out a Digital Art newsletter, we’ve added a bunch of new titles that we want to share with you, along with other top-rated favorites in all 22 of our Digital Art subcategories.

Discover DVDs that can help you move towards learning a new skill or completing a new project.  We’ve included DVD descriptions, a screenshot of the video, and some customer comments so you can see exactly what you’re getting before you rent it.

Don’t forget - the customer reviews we get from you guys are as helpful to us as they are to all the other customers searching for the perfect DVD! Thank you for subscribing to this newsletter, and thank you for choosing SmartFlix.com for your instructional DVD rental needs!

Total Training for Adobe Photoshop CS3

Learn how to use Adobe Photoshop CS3 proficiently from the comfort
of your own home or office. Lessons are done at your own pace so you
can start and stop the video segments at any time. From the basics of
selecting colors and elements in photos, to the magic of special
effects and layering, these Photoshop CS3 tutorials cover what you need
to know to make your images dazzle.

Finally, you’ll have a way to make use of all the fantastic, complex
features that Adobe Photoshop CS3 has to offer.  You won’t believe what
kind of art and design you’ll be able to create by the time you have a
great feel for the capabilities of the program.

PART 1 - Photoshop Fundamentals: 9 Chapters, including everything from “The Glory of Photoshop” to “Layer Basics” to “Raster versus Vector-Based Images”.

PART 2 - Making Photoshop Magic Happen: 7 Chapters, including everything from “Doctoring Images” to “The Power of Automatics” to “Adobe Bridge, Camera Raw, and Device Control”.

Here’s what some happy customers had to say about this 500-minute, 5-out-of-5 rated series:

• “Very well done. I really like the training interface - very smooth and
  well designed. Material and content all very good. Highly recommended!” - Kevin A.

• “I found it informative and entertaining. Even though I had already knew
  the basics of the program I still learned a few things I didn’t know.
  As the videos progressed the trainer did an excellent job of laying
  down the ground work for advanced techniques.” - Stefan P.

• “I really enjoyed both discs in this set. I have been using Photoshop
  since version 6 but I have never had any real training. I picked up
  lots of great tips that without an expert to teach me I would never
  have learned on my own.” - Marsha “Jean” M.

Get ready to make the most of Photoshop CS3 with this comprehensive training - rent Total Training for Adobe Photoshop CS3 today!

Painter IX Simplified for Photographers

This introductory program is a win for those who’ve never tried digital painting before, or for those who are looking for a few tips to polish their work and make it more professional.  In 3 DVDs, totalling 840 minutes (that’s 14 hours!), you’ll start from the ground up and emerge as a talented artist working from your own photographs, as well as with the knowledge to master the Painter IX program.

No prior experience with Painter is needed. This tutorial explains
everything from the beginning and makes no assumptions about prior
knowledge of Painter. Learn easy, simple techniques to transform your
photographs into beautiful artistic renderings in the style of pastels,
oils, etc -perfect for creating magnificent wall portraits of
individuals, families and weddings, or for just having fun creating art
from your photos. Also learn quick ways to create wild, fun and
dramatic pop art effects - ideal for high school seniors and children.

With this exciting DVD Set, you’ll learn techniques for
creating beautiful digital paintings based on your photographs that
emulate the look and feel of pastel chalk, watercolors and oils. Jeremy
Sutton, world-renowned Painter expert and portrait artist, demonstrates
the complete creative process before your eyes using all new artwork
and techniques. Jeremy starts his instruction form the ground up,
making no assumptions about prior art training or experience with
Painter. You’ll learn how to set-up your equipment and tools for
optimum efficiency, making use of the powerful workflow advances in
Painter IX. Then with Jeremy’s fresh perspective and enthusiastic
direction, you’ll soon loosen up on the digital canvas and create
masterpieces with your own artistic style and unique vision.  Here’s what a happy customer had to say about this series:

• “You can’t get a better intro to Painter than Jeremy Sutton. His
  monologues are well thought and he wastes no time fumbling for words or
  stating the obvious.” - Erwin G.

Get in the know, and jump on the bandwagon with one of the hottest types of art today…rent Painter IX Simplified for Photographers!

Total Training For Dreamweaver 8

Jump ahead in your career, or just in a great hobby - these are the DVDs for you if you’re interested in squeezing every drop out of Dreamweaver 8.  You’ll master all aspects of the software better than any book or course would be able to teach you (MUCH cheaper, too!). 

This series is hosted
by Janine Warner, best-selling author of Dreamweaver For Dummies, which
has sold more than 200,000 copies and is in its sixth edition. During
the over 10-hour video series produced in HD, Janine shares her
extensive knowledge of the industry-leading web design tool.

Part 1: 9 Chapters, including everything from “Introducing the Interface” to “Adding Images & Links” to “Creating Online Forms”.

Part 2: 12 Chapters, including everything from “Saving Time with Templates” to “Adding Audio, Video, & Flash™ to a Page” to “Working in the Code”.
Rent Total Trainer for Dreamweaver 8 today!

Ripple Training - Final Cut Pro

Enjoy two fantastic DVDs in this series that will each benefit your knowledge of Final Cut Pro, as well as how to edit like a professional.

Getting Started in Final Cut Pro
Final Cut Pro 5
is a serious tool - seriously powerful, and seriously professional. It
is the editing tool choice for editors, producers, and digital
storytellers all over the world. Getting Started in Final Cut Pro is
our highly anticipated DVD-ROM delivered by Apple-certified trainer and
Ripple Training founder, Steve Martin. This disc is our first long-form
offering that focuses on the beginning to intermediate user.

If you are new to Final Cut Pro or just want to brush up on
your editing skills, this hands-on DVD will get you up to speed faster
than you thought possible. Each step in the editing workflow is
presented in easy-to-follow learning modules that include chapter
markers you can use to navigate to the section you want to view (or
review). It’s the next best thing to having a one-on-one training
session with Steve.

We also include all the project and media files on the disc so
you can follow along with the lessons in Final Cut Pro and learn at
your own pace. The tutorial movies themselves are presented in
widescreen format (960×600) at full frame rates so they look
particularly good on Apple Cinema displays.

Final Cut Pro Advanced Techniques     
This advanced course on DVD-ROM has over 50 tutorials encompassing over
4 hours of instruction that will be sure to deepen your knowledge and
mastery of this program. This disc also includes a comprehensive
section on Final Cut Pro 5’s multicam feature. 

Here’s what a satisfied customer said about this series:

• “Unbelievably easy to grasp the concepts …especially when you can follow along with your own project “side by side”. I’ve got 2 books on FCP and simply found it too tedious to read all
  that is required. Seeing the same info on your screen is WAY easier.” - Richard N.

Edit like a professional - rent Ripple Training - Final Cut Pro today!

From Speedpainting to Concept Art

As the first non-series featured in this newsletter, trust us, this one DVD is all you’ll need when it comes to creating custom brushes in Photoshop.  David Levy shares tons of useful information based on what he’s learned being in the industry, and shows you how to apply it to your own personal style.

In this DVD, David Levy demonstrates the Adobe Photoshop® techniques
that he uses to create environ- ments for the entertainment industry.
He specifically reveals the custom brush creation techniques that have
been perfected by a small group of passionate artists in Montreal. From
two basic brushes, David shows you how to develop your own library of
custom brushes that will allow you to gain speed and efficiency during
your speedpainting process.

Beginning with examples such as mountains,
forests and clouds, David then leads you through the creation of a
concept art painting, from rough sketches to a final piece with
environment, vehicles and characters. Using texture brushes, you will
then learn to refine and complete the painting without losing the
original dynamism and composition of the sketch.  Here’s what some customers thought of this DVD:

• “Compared to other Gnomon videos I’ve seen in the past, this one was
  very easy to understand and begin practicing. WHO KNEW THERE WERE BRUSH
  TWEAKS IN PHOTOSHOP! The fee for renting this was enough just for that
  tidbit alone, but there are many helpful things included. I didn’t use
  any of his brushes since I would rather create my own but overall great
  lecture!” - Don M.

• “Good DVD - the brushes he uses are useful and he has some cool ideas on
  how to generate ideas…The DVD is more useful for
  helping develop ideas and not so much for how to render ideas you have
  already developed…” - James W.

Get in the know and rent From Speedpainting to Concept Art today!

Total Training for Advanced Flash Professional 8

This series of 4 DVDs with John Ulliman will introduce you to topics and techniques that will push you ahead farther than you thought possible.  Read ahead for a brief overview of the 4 DVDs included in the set - as always, rent one at a time, or rent the whole set at once for a great discount!

TT for Advanced Flash Professional 8: Exploring ActionScript
Learn
how to unleash your creative potential with advanced tutorials on the
industry’s most advanced authoring environment for creating interactive
websites. You will learn scripting basics and then dive into how
Actionscript works and how and where to include it in your
applications.

Part 1: Exploring ActionScript
1. Getting started
2. ActionScript syntax & structure
3. Text & form handling
4. Working on external data
5. Animating with ActionScript

TT for Advaned Flash Professional 8: Putting ActionScript to Work
Part 2: - Putting ActionScript to Work
1. Making Flash Website Structures
2. Building a basic game
3. More game structures
4. Controlling video with ActionScript
5. Putting it all together

TT for Advanced Flash Professional 8: Next Level ActionScript
Become
a pro with ActionScript by watching interactive, work-along lessons
that walk you through the necessary steps of using the built-in
classes, new objects, or making your own custom classes and components.
You’ll also learn the new advanced features of Flash Pro 8 that are
only available to ActionScript users including the Drawing API, Bitmap
API, and the matrix transformations and displacements. Plus, you’ll get
a preview of how to use ActionScript in development of mobile
applications.

TT for Advanced Flash Professional 8: Next Level Actionscripting Part 2
A continuation of the previous DVD.

Here’s what a happy customer thought of this 5-out-of-5 rated series:

• “I have tried several books on Flash, through the books I was able to
  learn the basics. I was even able to build my website
  http://athomecr.tripod.com from what I learned from books. This web
  site took me 6 weeks to build using basic Flash animation. I learned
  later I could have done it in 2 days using the ActionScript side of
  flash.When I herd about ActionScripting, I learned that it was much like
  programing in Java, so like Flash animation I tried to learn from
  books. But ActionScripting is a bit complicated and when it came down
  to learning from the books the subject became tiresome, the authors
  went off on tangents without real explanation or worse the books had
  many errors in them. I found myself just getting sleepy (I was never
  much of a reader anyway) and for months I have been left hanging on the
  subject. Then I tried these videos, while I feel there could more content
  added, I must say I have learned 10 times as much in 1/3 the time! The
  videos are great! The instruction and lessons are short and simplified,
  and considering the complication of the subject, if you miss something,
  you need a second to catch up, or to type in the code while following
  along, you can just hit the pause button, or the rewind button to hear
  something you missed! I am person who learns by seeing, and hearing! The videos are just
  exactly that! Reading is good, but nothing beats hearing someone tell
  you what to do, and at the same time having the lesson going on right
  on the screen! Even better nothing beats being in control to review the
  information over and over again. I wrote this review because I returned to this website to order the rest of the lesson videos, so I can finish out my training. I highly recommend this website, I cannot say enough about what a
  great deal SmartFlix is able to provide…These guys are definitely on the up and up!” - Jerry C.

Wow! Thank you, Jerry C.! Rent Total Training for Advanced Flash Professional 8 today!

SmartFlix Gift Cards!

Is there a birthday coming up in your family or circle of friends?  How about someone special who’s graduating in May? Give
the gift of knowledge in it’s most fun and entertaining form - a
SmartFlix Gift Card! This is a cool and different kind of gift for
anyone in your life, and perfect for any occasion. 

Gift cards
are available in $10, $25, $50, and $100 denominations. So surprise
someone you love with a real treat, and take it from us - people think
these gift cards are fantastic as well as extremely useful! 

Click here to purchase a gift card that is redeemable for renting any of the thousands of videos SmartFlix offers!

Great Deal for SmartFlix Customers…

We’ve
started up a special offer that we think all SmartFlix customers can
benefit from - we’ve teamed up with our friends over at Make &
Craft Magazines! In every envelope we mail out (the ones we put the
videos in), we will include a flyer with information about the two
fantastic aforementioned publications.  We’re making it easier than
ever for you to enjoy these two magazines - you can sign up for a
subscription on this flyer, and mail it right in.  So next time you
rent from us, look for the flyer, and sign up to receive either or both
of these awesome magazines - this kind of stuff is right up your
alley!

Thank you for checking out our newsletter! We hope we’ve helped to enlighten you - whether it’s to brush up on a hobby, or start out on a new career path in Digital Art, or anything in between! Let us know what you think of this newsletter, and what you’d like to see in the next one.  Send questions or comments to katherine@smartflix.com.  We love hearing from you!

Happy renting!

- The SmartFlix.com team

 

Hello, {{first_name}}!

With more than 1,000 titles in the Metalworking category, it’s hard to know where to start! That’s
where these newsletters come in - we want to guide you in the right
direction towards accomplishing a certain project, or mastering a new
skill!

This week, we’ve put together a list of top-rated Metalworking videos from different subcategories, from mini mills to welding to metal spinning!  We’ve made sure to only include titles with no
wait, so you can get started right away!

Read on for the best
SmartFlix.com has to offer, and don’t forget to let us know what you
think about a video by rating and commenting on it! Your valuable
feedback helps us create a better experience for all of our customers!
As always, we appreciate your business - thank you, thank you, thank
you for choosing SmartFlix.com as your resource for instructional DVD
rental!

Teardown, Tuning, and Tramming: Mini Machines 101, Volume 5

Join Lex Liberato for an jam-packed hour of mini mill know-how. This video guides you step-by-step through a complete disassembly
and reassembly of ALL three axes of the mini mill. It shows you how to
adjust the gibs to remove play and yet allow free movement of the mill
bed and spindle head. Learn how to adjust the hand wheel
assemblies to remove unnecessary backlash, and to align the X- &
Y-axis screws with their respective nuts so as to avoid binding during
table travel.

See the easy way to tram your mill spindle to closer than 0.001″ in all three axes. This
volume is jam-packed with easy-to-follow practical information that is
absolutely necessary if you intend to make precision parts!  Here’s what some customers had to say about this video:

• “Essential viewing for the new owner of the Seig Chinese Mini-Mill.
  Great information on cleaning, lubricating, and setting up the mill for
  proper operation. I’ve had my mill for over a year and had not cleaned
  and lubed several places on it because I was unsure how to get to the
  parts….this video solved that issue and now my mill works better than
  ever!” - Cliff W.

• “Very well thought out video, that was well produced. If you’re new to
  mini machines, and their cleaning and setup, this is the video for
  you!! Proper setup is the key to accurate machine work, and this video
  can help!!” - Charles C.

• “Great video! I was able to disassemble my unit and after cleaning,
  lubing, and reassembling it, I was able to notice very much improvement
  in the smoothness of the tables and headstock. It really helped. I bent
  a 1/4″ threaded rod to hold the dial indicator for alignment and it
  feels a lot better to have the headstock/column so close to
  perpendicular to the table. And, in the future, should I feel the need
  to recalibrate the mill–no problem.
  Thanks.” - Gary R.

Get your mill in better shape than you thought you were capable of.  Learning these techniques are a big time and money saver in the long run - rent Teardown, Tuning, and Tramming: Mini Machines 101, Volume 5 today!

The Hofi Hammer and the Hofi Ergonomic Technique for Moving Metal

Featuring famed metalworker Uri Hofi as he discusses and demonstrates hammer technique
for effective forge work. In the DVD, Hofi explains the ergonomics of
good hammer design, and how to use the hammer to maximize the energy
delivered to the material with the minimum effort. Hofi also
demonstrates how proper form prevents damage to muscles and tendons.

The Hofi Hammer and the Hofi Ergonomic Technique for Moving Metal is an
indispensable guide for the professional blacksmith.The Hofi system is
an ergonomic approach to tooling and methodology that is designed to
work with the natural motions of the body. The Hofi system focuses on
efficient process, using minimum energy and time for maximum moving of
the material, which protects muscles, nerves, joints, and bones from
damage. Here’s what a happy customer said about this 5-out-of-5 rated video:

• “Exactly as advertised. If you want to learn how to work as a blacksmith
  without hurting yourself by using incorrect form and posture get this!
  This could save many smiths a good amount of unnecessary pain.” - Terry M.

Rent The Hofi Hammer and the Hofi Ergonomic Technique for Moving Metal today - you’ll save yourself from a lot of unnecessary pain, with both short and long term benefits!

Mini Machines 101

The first in the Mini Machines 101 series, this set of two DVDs is perfect for the beginner.  Host Lex Liberato shows all of the necessary basics in getting familiar with your machines, and forming some methods and techniques to get projects completed.  Read about each DVD in the series below:

Lathe Fundamentals & Basic Turning, Volume 1
This 75-minute video is designed to get you familiar with the lathe and its
terminology, and take you all the way through to making your first
cuts. The topics covered include introduction and shop safety,
nomenclature and terminology, setting up and using your 3-jaw chuck,
cutting tool types, shapes and uses, successfully dealing with
backlash, setting cutting tool height, calculating depth of cut, face
cuts, basic turning, compound angled cuts, using the lead screw,
calculating TPI on double reduction, feeding normal cuts, and finish
cuts. Also included is a short section on general shop safety.

Mill & Lathe Spindle & Gearbox Repair
We don’t like to think about it, but machines break, and always at the
worst possible time. This 65-minute video shows you how to do spindle and gearbox
repairs on both the mini mill and the mini lathe. You will see how to
do a total drive train teardown, rebuild and reassembly of both
machines. You’ll learn how to tear down and reassemble the entire unit
in just a few hours, using a simple set of spacers and plates to enable
you to press your spindle and bearings in and out of the machine.

If you’re a beginner, or just want to brush up on some basics, be sure to start out with this series.  Rent Mini Machines 101 today, and don’t miss the other volumes that follow this one!

The Professional Machine Shop Course: The Vertical Mill

From Darrell Holland, this series is the absolute cream of the crop when it comes to in-shop training with the vertical mill. Many of you may be familiar with his three Professional Machine Shop Courses (in addition to this one, there is a lathe courseand general machine shop course).

The Milling Course is very comprehensive and “Hands-On”. It is
almost ten hours in length, originally on a dozen videocassettes. A
lifetime of experience compressed into a format that will enable you to
learn quickly and professionally how to operate a Bridgeport style
vertical mill, which is applicable to almost all of the milling
machines found in both professional and hobby shops today. While ideal
for the beginner even the most advanced machinist will learn some new
tricks. Everything on the mill from A-Z is covered, including what to
look for when buying a mill.

We start with the very basic
components of the mill and take you all the way through all the most
common milling & boring operations. Then it is on to advanced
techniques such as Rotary Tables & How-to Build Production Tooling.
Plus there are dozens and dozens of tricks & tips salted all the
way through the course. You’ll be happy that you won’t have to learn
the hard way and you will be thrilled with the many time saving
techniques that will have even experienced operators saying, “now why
didn’t I think of that?!” The following outline gives you just a taste
of the knowledge and skills that you will master.

• Introduction & History of Milling: when the mill was invented &
  early mills. Horizontal, vertical, and modern upgrades. Motorized Feed.
  Digital Readouts. Computer Controlled Milled (CNC).
• .
  Introduction to the Mill: Basic nomenclature for identifying mill sizes
  and type; Identifying parts of the mill and their purpose. Headstock.
  Column. Knee. Table. Quill. Hand Wheel. Power Feed.
• Considerations for purchasing a Mill. Size vs. Use. Vertical or
  Horizontal. Cheap vs. Expensive Vises. How to inspect a used machine:
  Spindle, Critical wear surfaces, Backlash.
• Shop Safety: Eye protection. Apron. Hand Protection. Chemicals.

Read below for comments from customers on this series:

• “Wow. I can’t say enough about this DVD set. Based on the Bridgeport
  Vertical Mill this DVD addressed everything from set up to measuring
  devices. It’s well organized, clear and thorough. I wish I could afford
  to buy these DVDs because they are totally worth it!” - Mark S.

• “Prior to watching these videos, the only machines I had worked on
  were Rong-Fu type benchmills. I hauled home a used Bridgeport around
  the same time I rented these DVDs, and I felt like an expert. I also
  realized how many things I did wrong throughout the years. The videos are very thorough and will put you far ahead of anyone who opts to take a community college class instead.” - Eric S.

• “Excellent videos. I rented all the videos from this series and was very
  pleased with each and every one. These videos showed me ways to save
  time in setup and measuring as well as presenting a good recommendation
  of some very essential tooling that no one should be without. I was
  very impressed by the amount of information presented in these videos.” - Adam R.

Get to the absolute top of your game - you cannot go wrong with The Professional Machine Shop Course: Vertical Mill! Also, the money you’ll save on renting this set from SmartFlix as opposed to buying it is outrageous - the complete set retails for about $500! You can rent it from us for a total of $80.95 - that’s a savings of 84%! Rent today - you won’t be disappointed!

Metal Spinning Workshop 2: Advanced Tools & Techniques

Now you have learned the fundamentals of metal spinning with disc one
you are ready for the second double-disc set in the series.
Concentrating on more advanced tooling & techniques, Terry Tynan outdoes himself in this information-rich series. 

Be sure to rent the first two DVDs (Metal Spinning Workshop)
in order to get the most out of this series, since the teaching is
cumulative.  After watching both series, you’ll have the knowledge
beyond what you could get trying to learn these techniques from a book
or even a class (you can’t rewind in class!).  Here’s what a customer
thought about this 5-out-of-5 rated hit:

• “Very good how-to
  info for anyone who is learning how to spin metal. Lots of pointers for
  the more advanced metal spinners too.” - Rupert W.

Get in the know and build your skills quickly and easily. Rent Metal Spinning Workshop 2: Advanced Tools & Techniques today! If you haven’t already watched the first set of the series, rent it here: Metal Spinning Workshop.

Scratch Building Basics for Metal Aircraft

This 2-DVD set from HomebuiltHelp.com packs 6 hours of instruction into a great interactive lesson that can benefit anyone working with sheet metal - it’s good for fixing sheet metal on cars, tasks around the shop and home, etc.! What planned adventure in life can top that of building your own
airplane from scratch; using just raw materials, common tools and a
set of plans? It requires a builder with special skills, knowledge, and
an attitude complete with persistence and imagination. Not all of us
are cut out for a project like this; although most of us can appreciate
the rewards that will result!

The purpose of this video presentation is
to expose you to the world of building a metal plane from plans,
demonstrated by one of the most considerate pair of builders you will
find anywhere. You will witness the type of skills, materials, tools
and commitment that is required to accomplish this feat. These two
gentlemen, Mark Townsend and David Barth (owners of Can-Zac Aviation
Ltd the Canadian distributor for Zenith Aircraft Company) donated their
time and expertise in making this video so that we could share their
passion for this hobby. Here’s what some customers thought:

• “If you are contemplating building a metal aircraft or just
  interested in fabricating complex sheet metal parts (aircraft or
  automotive), this is the DVD for you. Both instructors are genuine
  professionals who take the time to show the viewer how to accomplish
  very sophisticated work with a surprisingly limited amount of simple
  tools. The instructions are straight forward, clear, and complete
  enough, that both the beginner and the seasoned metal worker will come
  away with a lot of ” tips and tricks” of the sheet metal trade. You
  can’t go wrong with this video. Also: Order both DVDs at the same time.” - Eugene S.

• “Entertaining and a bit long winded but the pace did allow the info to
  be thoroughly digested. The details given for the metal forming process
  would allow someone to build the airframe for that full size Spitfire
  replica that they were thinking about.” - Art F.

Rent Scratch Building Basics for Metal Aircraft today!

SmartFlix Gift Cards!

Is
a friend or someone in the family’s birthday coming up? What about
graduations, anniversaries, or just a surprise for someone you love?
Give the gift of knowledge in it’s most fun and entertaining form - a
SmartFlix Gift Card! This is a cool and different kind of gift for
anyone in your life, and perfect for any occasion.  Don’t forget, with summer around the corner, a gift card can be useful for learning about things like landscaping, home & car repair, camping, outdoor activities, sports, and more!

Gift cards
are available in $10, $25, $50, and $100 denominations. So surprise
someone you love with a real treat, and take it from us - people think
these gift cards are fantastic as well as extremely useful! 

Click here to purchase a gift card that is redeemable for renting any of the thousands of videos SmartFlix offers!

Great Deal for SmartFlix Customers…

We’ve
started up a special offer that we think all SmartFlix customers can
benefit from - we’ve teamed up with our friends over at Make &
Craft Magazines! In every envelope we mail out (the ones we put the
videos in), we will include a flyer with information about the two
fantastic aforementioned publications.  We’re making it easier than
ever for you to enjoy these two magazines - you can sign up for a
subscription on this flyer, and mail it right in.  So next time you
rent from us, look for the flyer, and sign up to receive either or both
of these awesome magazines - this kind of stuff is right up your
alley! 

Top 10 Alternative Ways to Use Your Metalworking Skills Videos!

Metalworking is a complex, specialized trade. The skills you’ve learned as you rent from us and improve your tools and shop are worth a lot, and believe it or not, they also help prepare you for tons of other types of trades. This week, we’ve created a top ten list of helpful skills and projects that will be easier for you to learn than the average person, since you’ve already invested time in learning about metalworking.  So here’s to you, SmartFlix metalworker - pat yourself on the back for how far you’ve come, and enjoy learning a practical skill by renting one of the featured videos below!

10. Ride in the Park and Sit and Sip - with George Goehl, use your powerful metalworking skills to create a cool gift or ornament!
9. Storage Shed - Build your own with Norm Abram! This simple, multipurpose structure could find use as a garden shed, a
storage shed, a pool house or a parking space for the family bicycles
and lawn mowers.
8. How Do I? Home Security, Efficiency, & Comfort - Learn from the industry masters to keep your family, home, and belongings safe and sound.
7. Ask the Builder: Shower Floor and Liner - Take care of the home and save hundreds…these kinds of skills will come easier than you think!
6. Bend Your Own Wire Names
- Learn to write anything in beautiful script in wire! The DVD has
quick skip-to index, so you can go directly to the letter you want!
5. Build Your Own Patio Shade - Just in time for the blazing summer months!
4.