DIY Metal Art for the Yard

Use a template when creating metal yard art.

Metal art may be created from a sheet of metal, purchased metal fence and gate decorations, or picked from your favorite scrap yard. Metal art became popular in the Bronze and Iron Ages and the technique had little changes until the end of the 19th century. Metal may be classified in one of two groups: ferrous and non-ferrous. Ferrous metals contain iron and are easy to determine with a magnet. Non-ferrous metals consist of aluminum, copper, lead, brass and tin and are not magnetic.

Things You'll Need

• Sheet metal
• Val oil
• Jigsaw
• Jacket
• Leather gloves
• Tinted goggles
• Grease pencil, for tracing on metal
• Oxygen & acetylene torch cutting tanks
• Torch
• Clamps
• Grinder

Instructions

Torch

1. Create a space that has plenty of light and ventilation when working with metal.

2. Decide what style of metal art to create, such as an abstract or real life. Create a life-size template out of cardboard. Use a grease pencil or welder's chalk to trace an outline of the cardboard on a piece of sheet of metal. Put on safety goggles and gloves.

3. Use a torch to cut out the design, following manufacturer's instructions. If not experienced with using a torch, consider taking the outlined metal to a specialist to cut out the design.

4. Grind the edges until they are smooth. If desired, add texture to the metal with the grinder and then apply Val-oil to create a glossy finish.

Jigsaw

1. Create a space to work that has plenty of light and ventilation when working with metal.

2. Decide what style of metal art to create such as an abstract or real life. Create a life-size template out of cardboard. Use a grease pencil or welder's chalk to trace an outline of the cardboard on a piece of sheet of metal. Put on safety materials such as goggles and gloves.

3. Secure the sheet metal with the side to be cut overhanging from the table, with clamps. Secure jigsaw blades per manufacturer's instructions.

4. Place the blade over the metal sheet aligned with the marked outline. Support the metal sheet with one hand and the jigsaw with the other hand and gently apply pressure to the metal sheet while pressing down and slowing moving forward along the drawn line.

5. Loosen the clamps and move the metal sheet as necessary in order to reach the rest of the drawn template.

6. Grind the edges until they are smooth. If desired, add texture to the metal with the grinder and then apply Val-oil to create a glossy finish

Tips & Warnings

• Have a fire extinguisher nearby when using a torch.

References

• Cultivating Life: Making a Sheep Silhouette Using Sheet Metal
• Family Handyman: How to Use a Jigsaw

Resources

• Fabrication: Oxyacetylene Cutting