If the pandemic has boosted one industry, it’s the craft industry. With nothing better to do, many people have turned to trying a craft. Pottery, paper craft, painting, sewing – these are just a few of the different hobbies people have tried their hand at, but one equally rewarding and infinitely cool hobby that doesn’t quite get the same traction as the others is metal crafts.
There’s so much that be made with metal, from the most grandiose ornaments to sentimental keepsakes that will be treasured forever. If you’re looking for a new challenge, why not try metal work? You’ll need a basic understanding of metal, but it’s easy enough to learn.
Metal is split into two types: ferrous and non-ferrous. Here’s a quick breakdown of the two:
Ferrous Metals
Ferrous metals have iron in them which makes them harder and more durable. Ferrous metal examples include stainless steel, wrought iron and cast iron. As such, ferrous metals are generally used in heavy duty projects like suspension bridges and railway tracks. That being said, depending on what you plan to make, you might well find yourself using ferrous metals in your craft projects.
Non-Ferrous Metals
Non-ferrous metals generally have no iron in them, and if they do, it’s not a lot. Non-ferrous metals are really good conductors of heat and electricity, and they’re lightweight, too. Examples of non-ferrous metals include copper, brass, aluminium and zinc. Copper is becoming increasingly popular in terms of home décor, so if you want to craft something nice for your home, you might find yourself swaying towards a non-ferrous metal like copper.
Now you know the difference between the two types of metals, you’ll need to think about the tools you’ll need to begin metal crafting. There are a range of kits online that comprise of everything you’ll need to get started, so if you’re a beginner, it’s worth buying one of these kits just to make sure you’ve got the basics of what you might need.
You might need to use some heavy duty equipment like saws and a welder. If that’s the case, make sure you do your research and learn how to properly use the equipment in order to avoid injury, otherwise you could severely hurt yourself and cause life-changing injuries.
Once you’ve got all the kit you might need, you can begin making things. Here are three nice projects to work on if you’re just getting started. They provide a good introduction to metal work and can really be personalized as much as you like, providing you with ample opportunity to practice all your skills in one go.
1. Make a Ring
If you’re looking to make a sentimental first project, a ring is a good option. You can make it as simple or ornate as you want to, and you can use a range of different metals to do so. You might choose to buy gold or sterling silver, or you could choose to practice on steel or copper.
2. Design a House Sign
This is a great starter project because it’s simple in nature and effective in terms of décor. It’s something you can hang up outside of your house and feel proud of. You can make it almost any shape and size, and you can use most metals. You could choose to cut out the numbers and carve in a pattern, or you might decide to use number stickers and keep the plaque itself very simple. Whatever you choose to do, you can showcase and practice a range of skills on this piece.
3. Laptop Stand
A laptop stand might sound boring, but it’s a great metal hobby because you can really get to grips with how different metals act, as well as how to weld multiple pieces together to create a freestanding, self-supporting piece.
There are so many different things you can make from metal, but these three projects are a great place to start for beginners. Remember: if it’s not perfect first time, don’t worry! Try, try and try again.
