4 Metal DIY Projects to Try and 4 Useful Tools You’ll Need
DIY projects not only allow you to save money, but they also let you use your free time productively. In fact, they might even help reduce stress, curb boredom, and inspire your creativity. A spare time DIY activity could even generate extra profit if not turn into a business empire!
Now, from aluminum to stainless steel, and carbon steel, metal is a great material to experiment with on DIY projects. The list of things you can create with metal is literally endless, and only your creativity may limit you.
In case you’re short of ideas, this article should inspire you with five awesome metal projects you can take up DIY, alongside the tools you’ll need.
Tools You Might Need for Most Metal DIY Projects
Turning metal into a finished product requires a decent level of skills, and most importantly, the right tools in your possession. Depending on the project you’re undertaking, below are some of the tools you’ll probably need when working with metal.
1. A Welder
A welder is the most important tool in your DIY toolkit, especially if you plan to work with aluminum and steel. It’s also vital to have an LED welder for working with carbon steel.
You will also need some welder tools, including a welder hood, gloves, coveralls, spark tester, and cutting torch, just to name a few.
2. Steel Threaded Rods
Welding rods help join one piece of metal to the other. Steel threaded rods, which are also called hot-dip galvanized rods, are specifically perfect for steelwork since they give you the best form and hold with the least amount of force. They also promise higher resistance to corrosion and rust in the resulting weld.
Other types of welding rods include high-temperature bent rods, which can be used for joining aluminum, stainless steel, copper, and other metals.
3. Jigsaw
Not to be confused with the Jigsaw Otology of Movies, a jigsaw is a tool you’ll use to cut metal. There are many designs to choose from depending on what you’re trying to achieve, but they all have one thing in common—it cuts through the metal into pieces with the shape, design, and size you want to work with.
4. Angle Grinder
An angle grinder is a powerful and versatile tool that helps you cut out the rust, pry out metal shards, and achieve smooth metal surfaces.
Other crucial tools you might need include a bench to work on, c-clamps, and a hammer.
4 DIY Projects You Can Take Up
1. A DIY Metal-Wood Coffee Table
No need to go out to look for unique or beautiful tables. Investing a few hours in creating a DIY table with aluminum can be worth your while. Almost as easy to make as a stump coffee table, all it might cost are a couple of used windows and a few steel drill bits. It might be easier than you probably thought.
2. A Metal Wire Lampshade
A metal wire can be used as an excellent replacement for a table lamp shade. You just need to secure it with a clamp, curve it into your desired design, drill holes in it, and insert a nylon cord into it. Don’t be afraid to paint the metal with your desired colors once done.
3. Decorative Vase Holder
This DIY project requires a few metal parts to work on, including a screwdriver, drill bits, and other supplies. Armed with the right tools, all you may need to make a decorative vase holder is a tiny piece of glass and a metal rod, and an hour of your spare time.
4. Metal Letter Hanging Planters
If you’re looking for an artistic way to spruce up your home, take up this DIY project. Apart from a metal sheet, you’ll need a drill to make holes, a mallet, a drill stem, a masonry hammer, and, of course, your welding gear and equipment.
With their green life, nothing can make your space more alluring than hanging planters artistically created to spell out a certain word or vibe!
To sum it up, very few materials can compete with metal for the number of things you can create with it. With some guidance and the right skills, you can easily try the above DIY projects and many others.
