DIY metal crafts: examples of using metal to create interior design and decoration

Metal allows you to realize many creative ideas. But working with it requires special skills, abilities and devices. However, the result is durable, original and unique.

Thanks to the malleability of the material and the talent of the master, do-it-yourself metal crafts worthy of admiration appear. They become the pride of a personal plot, cottage or home interior. Let's look at a few examples and working methods:

Sheet metal owl

To work with a thin sheet of metal, strong and sharp scissors are sufficient. Thanks to them, beautiful metal crafts are created in the form of animal figures, various patterns or abstractions. What is needed to make a metal owl:

  • Thin sheet and narrow strips of metal;
  • Substrate in the form of a wooden rectangular board with a thickness of no more than 0.5 mm;
  • A set of various nails and elements for fastening;
  • A spoon with a rounded end. It will allow you to form the necessary image of an owl by squeezing out feathers and other parts of the body;
  • Sharp scissors.

Stages of work completion

They are not particularly difficult, but will require patience and attention. Detailed review:

  • A full sketch is created;
  • Thanks to a permanent marker, the diagram is transferred to the metal from the inside;
  • Use sharp scissors to cut out the necessary elements;
  • To squeeze out a pattern on the inside of the metal or highlight grooves, use a spoon with a rounded end;
  • The buttons create the owl's eyes. Can be replaced with metal elements with a similar shape. At the author's discretion, such details are used as additional decoration for the bird;
  • When all the parts are ready, the owl is assembled;
  • To secure parts of metal crafts, nails or other fasteners are used.

Metal owl

  1. Prepare a template for the owl by drawing it in pencil or printing it on a piece of paper.
  2. Cut out the outline of the figure and attach it to a metal sheet, outline the silhouette with a pencil.
  3. Using a grinder, carefully cut out the edges of the workpiece. Using a drill, drill holes for attaching the future craft and for creating eyes.
  4. Make the paws from a metal rod, giving them a corresponding curved shape.
  5. Treat the surface of the owl with a special solution and paint.

How to use welding to create metal crafts?

Welding allows you to quickly and reliably connect metal parts, but this method requires compliance with safety precautions and developed skills in working with the appropriate equipment. Electric welding is used for this, since it is portable and accessible compared to its gas counterpart.

To create metal crafts by welding, a transformer, welding machine or inverter is used. The choice is related to accessibility, the nature of the work, and the preference of the author of the metal product.

Product made from horseshoes

A horseshoe stand is made as follows. Take two horseshoes, turn them back and weld them together. Another pair of united horseshoes is produced.

At the top of a separate pair, another horseshoe is welded on, with the ends facing up. The two structures are welded into one using the following method:

  • installed on the edges with the bottom edge;
  • to connect the upper horseshoes, a metal rod is taken and welded to the bottom;
  • at the top of the upper horseshoe, a horseshoe is welded perpendicularly, which will look backward with the outgoing edge;
  • the second, third, and so on until the end is attached to it, until the topmost one is welded to the side horseshoe on the other side of the structure.


The result will be a product that looks extraordinary and is comfortable for shoes. Welding in a short period of time allows a novice master to consolidate his skills and will be beneficial for the home.

What metal crafts are created using welding?

In fact, everything, right down to artistic work in the form of sculptures of people or animals. But most often welding creates:

  • Installation of all kinds of structures;
  • Repair work is being carried out;
  • Garden supplies are made.

Photos of available examples are offered on our website dnevnikmastera.ru. Almost all illustrations are accompanied by detailed master classes on making metal crafts using welding and other methods.

Complex products requiring skill and additional tools

If you have a welding machine, then you can make metal crafts of any complexity. Nothing will limit your imagination even if you purchase metal scissors. A small hammer and anvil make the process even more creative and varied. In this case, nothing limits either the skill of the craftsman or the flight of his imagination. Any idea can be realized, even using scrap metal.

Flat original designs

If you want to make a homemade product that will decorate your garden plot, the facade of a house or a fence, you can make a flat image of any animal, flower or other object.

In this case, you will need sharp cutting tools with which you can cut out the desired image. The main part of the work will be creating a suitable sketch.

After an object of suitable size has been created on paper or thick cardboard, you need to transfer it to metal.

Then use a cutting tool to cut out not only the outline. But, internal perforation is desirable. It is the internal holes in the flat sculpture that will help recreate the image in the most naturalistic way and give it some lightness.

Using this method, you can create an original private house number plate. If you are not satisfied with the appearance of the metal, then you can decorate the product using paint of a suitable composition.

A teenager can be involved in such work as a master class, especially if he has a desire for applied work.

Three-dimensional sculpture

If you have sheet metal, you can make a three-dimensional sculpture to decorate the interior or garden area.

The design is similar to the previous product. The only difference is that here you need to cut out several elements that are attached at right angles.

The main point is to create a product that has a certain thickness. It can be different, depending on desire.

For a three-dimensional statue you need to make two identical blanks. And then the blanks for the end part, which will give volume to the entire structure.

When each element is cut out of metal, they must be combined into one whole. This is done by welding. But you will need to demonstrate certain skills and abilities. After all, a roughly made seam can ruin the appearance of the finished craft. True, if it was not possible to weld the structural elements too carefully, they can then be cleaned with a grinder. True, this will take some time and effort, so it is better to do everything more carefully right away.

Volumetric figure option

The use of flat sheet products, connected at right angles by insertion into grooves, allows you to create a three-dimensional model. The thickness of the groove must correspond to the thickness of the metal. Additional fastening is carried out by welding at the joints to impart rigidity to the structure.

Bending tools allow you to get away from linearity. Curved elements look more natural. The design takes on a naturalistic appearance. Coloring achieves diversity and the formation of a stylistic direction.

The fantasies of metal crafts are practically unlimited. You can get different variations from the photos below.

How to work with a welding machine?

This requires experience, practice and strict adherence to safety regulations. First, the newly minted master practices on a damaged piece of metal. This is necessary to acquire knowledge of igniting and maintaining an arc based on maintaining a constant gap between the electrode and the workpiece.

After this, the technique of making a weld is studied. If it turns out smooth without difficulty, then you need to learn how to correctly regulate the current strength to work with different thicknesses of the workpiece.

At its core, welding in the process of creating metal crafts is used to connect two parts. This occurs by melting the surface of the future joint. A solid metal structure is formed through the use of an electrode.

However, this is not an easy task and requires a lot of practice and experience, since it is necessary to ensure that the top layer of the workpiece melts, otherwise holes may form.

After acquiring basic skills in creating metal crafts by welding, you can move on to doing simple work to gain experience. For this, it is more profitable to use an inverter, since it has increased mobility and consumes less electricity.

Types of ferrous scrap

waste includes iron and its various alloys.

Scrap is divided into:

  • cast iron (carbon content is more than 2%);
  • steel (carbon content less than 2%);
  • non-class waste.

In turn, alloys can have alloying elements (aluminum, nickel, molybdenum, etc.) and are divided into:

  • carbon;
  • alloyed.

According to qualitative indicators, the classification of ferrous metal scrap includes 25 types and 67 groups . You can read more about this in GOST 278-86.

What can you make from an old bicycle for your garden?

Old bicycles were found on the balcony and attic, but it was a pity to throw them away. Then you can give them a new life by transforming them into something useful for the garden. For this purpose, it is not necessary that the vehicles be in a suitable condition.

You can use the remaining parts to create an unusual flower bed. It is formed by attaching a flowerpot with flowers to an accessible metal structure left over from a two-wheeled product.

Stand for cucumbers and other cultivated plants

Wheels from several bicycles are used for this. If rust is found on them, it is cleaned with sandpaper. The bicycle is covered with 2-3 layers of metal paint.

Some skip this stage to create the effect of the presence of antiquity. What is needed to create this metal craft for the garden:

  • Bicycle wheels;
  • Wooden block;
  • Heavy and small stones to secure the structure;
  • Comfortable shovel;
  • Antiseptic;
  • Stretch film;
  • Wire;
  • Strong hammer;
  • Scissors.

Step-by-step instruction:

  1. A shovel is used to dig a hole for installing a wooden block at one of the ends. To protect against rotting, it is coated with an antiseptic in several layers. After drying, the edge chosen for immersion in the ground is wrapped in several layers of stretch film. This will provide insulation from moisture.
  2. Help will be required for installation. One holds the post, the other fills it with heavy and small stones. A strong hammer is used for compaction.
  3. If possible, the structure is filled with cement. If it is not there, then a mound of dense soil is created. It is carefully compacted.
  4. If cement was used, you must wait until it is completely dry. Then the wheels are connected to the post using wire.

Cucumbers will be able to curl around the wheels and be attached to a support to receive maximum sunlight. But this design will also be useful for other plants that can grow vertically and twine around objects: grapes, beans. However, the height of the wheels should be comfortable for unhindered harvesting.

If you liked exploring the possibilities of metal crafts, check out other materials on the site. There is still a lot of interesting things here.

Methods for creating metal products

Casting. The essence is to fill the mold with liquefied steel. Once frozen, it becomes durable. This makes a beautiful uniform product.

Forging. It is based on exerting an action on the workpiece using a hammer, temperature, press, etc.

Bending. This technique is similar to forging. The essence of the technique is welding and riveting of elements.

Difovka. This method is characterized by the use of a hammer. This is how the iron sheets acquire the desired appearance.

Cutting and stamping. Using this technology, the shaped appearance of the workpiece changes and holes are made.

Filigree. The raw material is wire of any shape. The craft is created by soldering the bent components of the pattern.

Coinage. The method is considered the simplest. Its essence is the location of the equipment on the workpiece, subject to further impact with a hammer. This changes the shape of the product.

Material

Surely every owner of a private house or cottage will have metal remains on his farm. For example, you were installing a gas pipeline, heating or water supply system, you had unused pipes lying around or just pieces of metal, pieces of fittings, nails, nuts, bolts, etc.

From all these seemingly unnecessary parts you can make excellent crafts that will find their application on your site.

Many users often use this material for repairs. Take a good look at your garage; perhaps there are old garden tools, dishes, or car or bicycle parts lying around. All this may also be useful to you.

Safety precautions when working with metal

The habit of adhering to safety rules in such work will serve as a timely measure.

When working with one hammer, such rules will not be needed, but when the procedure is performed with sheet iron, then you need to be careful not to injure yourself and follow some rules.

  • Therefore, you will need eye protection, gloves or mittens.
  • When work involves welding, special protective clothing becomes especially necessary.
  • This includes special gloves, clothing made of protective fabric, and a mask in the form of a shield.

It is important to ventilate the room periodically, including when painting or varnishing products.

Manufacturing technology

Manufacturing metal products is a very popular way of earning money today. DIY metal objects can make any design more attractive. These may include:

  • cornices;
  • benches;
  • pieces of furniture.

Moreover, the master can choose the style at will, paying special attention to ensuring that the item being performed looks harmonious in any room. In retail outlets, metal products are sold at fairly high prices, due to the fact that they are made by hand. However, if you wish, it becomes possible to master the science of creating such objects on your own. Metal products, firstly, are highly valued in certain markets, and secondly, you can save decent amounts. The only costs incurred may be related to the purchase of materials.

To produce steel parts and patterns, you can choose any technique you like. Quite popular among them are:

  • filigree;
  • cutting;
  • bending;
  • forging;
  • stamping;
  • coinage.

Once the drawing or diagram of the product and the necessary materials have been prepared, the master will be ready to implement the idea of ​​​​creating a beautiful and unusual product.

Metal is the material on the basis of which it becomes possible to create a whole composition of all kinds of crafts for the home or garden. For this reason, many methods have been developed that allow you to create very original things at home.

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