Welding is not something that you should take lightly, as it requires a lot of training and care, attention to detail, and safety. However, just because it can be dangerous and tricky doesn’t mean that there aren’t some welding projects that you can’t do at home. With a few pieces of scrap metal and trusted tools such as the Miller Diversion 180, welding can be a fun hobby to do at home.
The truth is that there are multiple things you can try from the safety of your own home. The number of welders across the country is growing. In fact, there are now more than 400,000 welders in the United States and that number is increasing all the time.
If you are hoping to dive into the exciting world of welding, here are some of the many projects you can tackle at home in your garage or backyard.
Simple Metal Table
One of the simplest and most useful welding projects you can tackle at home is a table that can provide a ton of uses for you and your family.
This project will allow you to learn the simple basics of welding together joints and creating a functional piece of furniture that you can show off to people.
You can start by making a small side table or expand your skills by tackling a larger dining table. The project involves welding together a frame using square or round metal tubing for the legs and supports.
Bookends
A rather simple and wonderfully artistic project for brand-new and inexperienced welders is to make custom bookends.
Creating this allows you to be creative as you experiment with different shapes, sizes, and looks. Using scrap metal or steel, cut and weld pieces into a unique bookend design that suits your home and your personality. This is an excellent way to practice welding joints and creating visually pleasing functional items for your home. It’s a way for you to create something but also experience the artistic side of being a welder.
Metal Wall Art
As mentioned, welding can often be a form of artistic expression, and creating some metal wall art is a fantastic way to explore that.
Picking up and using various metal pieces allows you to craft complex, complicated, and artistic designs, abstract shapes, and other types of art.
All of this involves attempting to cut and weld metal components together in order to create a visually striking piece of art. Experimenting with different finishes and paints can further enhance the artistic appeal of your creation. It’s up to you. You are able to make whatever you want and as long as you make it from the heart, it will be well worth your time and effort.
Fire Pit
If you have a backyard that can allow you, you should think of building a fire pit when you are first trying your hand at welding.
It is important to remember that a practical, functional, and artistic fire pit is definitely a more advanced project but it’s something that you can attempt after just a few months of being a welder.
If you weld together steel plates or sheets, you can create a durable fire pit for your backyard. This involves working with circular shapes and welding them together to form the fire pit’s bowl.
Bike Rack
If you’re an avid cyclist, consider welding your own bike rack as a place to set your bicycles after a long day on the road.
This project involves creating a sturdy and practical structure to hold and organize bicycles. Using metal tubing and rods, you can craft a bike rack that is able to hold multiple bikes and also fit seamlessly into your garage or most other outdoor spaces. Making a bike rack will provide an opportunity to practice welding joints and structural design and it’ll also allow you to make another piece of welding that is appropriate and functional.
Planter Boxes
Enhance your garden or outdoor space by welding custom metal planter boxes if you’re a green thumb who likes to garden. This project involves creating rectangular boxes using metal sheets and then welding them together.
You can test yourself with different sizes and designs to suit your garden and its needs. Welded planter boxes are not only functional but also add an industrial and modern touch to your outdoor look and feel.
Laptop Stand
For a practical and functional project that incorporates everyday use, you should think about welding a laptop stand.
This involves putting together a structure that elevates and supports your laptop at a comfortable viewing angle. You can really have fun with this and customize the design to include features such as adjustable height or additional space for a mouse and keyboard. The best thing about this is that it’s a smaller project that is suitable for those looking to try out welding skills with something functional and needed every day.
BBQ Grill
Take your outdoor cooking to the next level by welding your own BBQ grill.
Making one of these involves welding a sturdy frame by using metal tubing and welding on a metal grilling surface. You will be able to customize the size and features of the grill, such as grates that are adjustable and shelves that can be used for food preparation. Building your BBQ grill allows you to tailor it to your specific grilling needs.
Final Thoughts
One of the best things about welding is that it’s an art form and the more you practice, the more you’ll be able to try new things and experiment. It’ll test your skills and help you discover new ideas that you want to try.
Just remember that before starting a project you need to familiarize yourself with the basics of welding, including different welding techniques, types of welding machines, and safety precautions. Many websites, tutorials, and online forums will provide you with valuable information about welding at home.
As you continue down the road in your welding journey, you can take on more complex projects, which means that in just a short amount of time, you’ll be able to create a ton of practical and artistic items that you can use often.