How to Make Aluminum Pots

Once you have the tools to make one metal pot, you will be able to make many.

You can bend an aluminum blank into a pot shape by spinning it on a lathe and using a flat bottom mold. Once you are experienced with spinning metal, this process can take as little as 10 minutes. You can attach handles to the pot if you like by passing screws through the walls of the pot and attaching them to handles.

Things You'll Need

• Aluminum blank/circle
• Lathe
• Pot-shaping mold
• Spinning combination tool
• Spinning lubricant
• Hand trimmer tool
• Metal grinder

Instructions

1. Place an aluminum blank in the lathe, centered and clamped against a pot-shaping mold. Turn the lathe on.

2. Rub spinning lubricant on the combination tool. Press the round section of the tool against the blank, and work it out and around the mold. Work the blank around the mold shape until it forms a complete pot shape.

3. Use the flat section of the combination tool to smooth the pot and give it a finished appearance.

4. Use the cutting tool to make the edge of the pot uniform and even.

5. Remove the pot from the lathe. Use a metal grinder to sand down the sharp edges of the pot.

Tips & Warnings

• Use eye protection and protective clothing while shaping and grinding the pot.

References

• Metal Spinning Workshop: Reviving Metal Spinning

Resources

• Old Engine: Sean McKenna's Metal Spinning
• Flying Dutchman Projects; Metal Spinning Tutorial;Flying Dutchman Projects; Peter Rubin Fletter; November 1995