You may think of welding as only being done for manufacturing and construction, but it’s also a fantastic hobby anyone can enjoy. If you’re looking for a fun, creative outlet or add a skill you can use to help make repairs around your home, then welding might be for you. One of the best ways to learn the fundamentals and grow your welding knowledge is by working on fun projects in your spare time. Below are some welding projects for beginners that people of all ability levels may enjoy.
Safety Tips
Before starting any welding projects for beginners and professionals alike, you should be aware of welding fumes and other dangers. Ensure you are wearing protective clothing, welding masks, and gloves always before embarking on any project.
Horseshoe Puzzle
For this project, you’ll permanently couple two horseshoes with small pieces of chain. The chain will have a metal ring around it, which, from the outside, appears impossible to remove. However, if you can figure out the proper technique, it’s entirely possible.
Here Is What You Will Need:
- Two horseshoes. You can get these in several ways. You can always weld your pair, buy them from a ranch or farm supply store, or order them online. If you purchase them, make sure you’re getting a forge-steeled pair and not cast-iron so you can weld them.
- A ring that is 1/4″ thick and 2″ in diameter.
- A chain with links that are roughly 1/8′′ thick and 1.5′′ long.
Step One
Use a band saw to cut off the rounded metal tips at each end of the horseshoe.
Step Two
Clean away the scale surrounding the tips with a flap disc on an angle grinder to uncover a smooth metal surface for welding. The horseshoes should be clamped to a sawhorse to help accomplish this.
The shoes should be placed close to the chain on a metal welding table with laminate sample chips.
Step Three
Fasten the chains to the horseshoe tips. Solder full beads to the chain link to permanently bind them to the horseshoes. Try an open spacing of roughly 5/8″ between the welded chain link points and place the ring between them.
Floating Chain Link Wine Bottle Holder
This project will result in a fun and unique wine bottle holder that can also be a great conversation piece in your home.
What You Will Need:
- Approximately 3.5 feet of steel chain that isn’t galvanized metal.
- Clearcoat and spray paint.
- A wine bottle you have emptied.
Step One
Form a circle with about 17.5″ of chain or around 14 links. You can use a lid or another spherical, non-flammable item as a guide. You will then weld the links together.
Step Two
Wrap the chain over a cylindrical item so that a portion of it is almost perpendicular to the base. The chain should not be straight up and down at a 90-degree angle. Instead, you’ll slightly offset the chain at about an 85-degree angle. Attach 7.5″, around six links, of vertical chain together. Feel free to weld the bottom link at a slight angle to give the stem a curved appearance.
Step Three
Arrange the chain in a circle with a diameter of about 1 3/8″ to 1 1/2″ at the top of the steam. Weld the circle together. Test whether the bottle holder works with a big and ideally empty wine bottle. Fasten the remainder of the chain around the wine bottle’s neck. Weld the remaining chain links, including the hanging end. Next, clean the metal up, and then apply paint and coating to the chain.
