Crafts

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Tin punching crafts
Primitive craft and country kitch.

Having Somwhere to go Home..
Having Someone to Love is Family…
Having Both is a Blessing.

This project is a lot simpler than it looks. Start with a sheet of graph paper. The markings will help out with marking images that mirror each other off of the vertical of the total image. Anybody can sketch simple images such as this.

 

Next, for the tin punch material I use roofers flashing. It can be found at any hardware store. Its the material used where two roof lines join to form a valley or to provide flashing for where a gable meets the roof surface. Now this material has a different color on either side, one is silver as you see in the photo and the other is a brass-like color.

Once I have the material cut out to the size I want I tape the drawing to the material to keep it from moving. To make the hole punches I have a couple tools that I have adapted for this purpose only. I could go out and buy the proper tin punch tools but if I can make do without it, I will. I use a Phillips screwdriver to make a star pattern. The only extra thing I do to it is file down the points so that it makes a nice crisp stamp when used. I also use a hole punch, also called a nail starter, which is also filed down to a sharp point. This tool I use the most. Next is another small hole punch but I file it down to make a small slotted punch. So, with those three basic tools and a light weight hammer I’m ready to go.

I could start by just hammering away using the different punches and following the lines but I learned that doing this against a solid background can be difficult work, and loud too. I have a rubber mat about 1/16 inch thick and about 12 inches by 12 inches that I use to punch against. This softens the blow and also prevents the tools from becoming blunt too quickly.

One thing that will occur with this material is that as you progress across the pattern the metal will want to curl upwards. This can be annoying and it can easily move the pattern, potentially ruining your design if you stray off of course. Occasionally, roll the metal against the curl to flatten it out.

I punched this pattern in less than 45 minutes. I’m no expert as I’ve only done a couple of tin punch projects so far. My wife, Gina, did the painting using tole paints. A word of caution, paint does stick to this material but it can easily be scratched off. So be careful. The frame is made of 3/4 inch oak I had laying around. Total cost of materials is about one dollar.

Measures 20 x 15 inches. So give it a try and have fun with it. We feature a few tin punch projects in our online store but unfortunately not this one.

Tin punching
Tin punch projects

A Newfoundland born Canadian with a life long interest in woodworking, baking and anything else that peaks my curiosity.

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