> How strong is the metal? And how heavy? I mean, I guess it varies by which 
> particular alloy you use... Presumably somebody has already tabulated this 
> data?

Of course.

> I imagine for a sufficiently small part, you can't physically apply enough 
> torque to it to actually bend it. (In normal circumstances, at least.)

Why not?  What is going to limit how much torque you can apply, you just get 
a machine with a beefier tool and press attached.

> I guess that's why small twigs sometimes seem "stronger" than large 
> branches...

That's probably just because you can't get a good grip of the twig to apply 
enough torque, sandwich it between two huge steel plates, both with a step 
in them, then apply 10 tons of force and I think you will see that the twig 
can bend :-)

> Hmm. And now I'm wondering... how do you manufacture the tool you use to 
> manufacture the thing you actually wanted to make in the first place? :-D

Some guy sitting at a computerised milling machine I would imagine.

And yes, how do you make that, etc etc I think at the beginning someone had 
to make something with their bare hands :-)

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