As a beginner welder, you’re no doubt anxious to take the skills you’ve gained and start putting them to use on a cool project. But finding welding projects for beginners, ones that are interesting and challenging but not too advanced can be a little tricky.
You don’t want something that is straight-up boring and impractical, and you don’t want something that is so advanced that you’ll give up well before you are done. You have to find projects that hit the sweet spot.
We totally understand! So, to help you out, we’ve put together this list of the best welding projects for beginners.
What are you waiting for? Grab your tools and your safety gear and get to it!
18 Best Welding Projects for Beginners
- Horseshoe Puzzle
Everyone loves a good puzzle! This project allows you to flex and grow your welding skills while creating a toy that can be used by people of all ages.
You will need:
- two horseshoes. You can weld your own, pick up a pair from the local ranch/farm supply, or purchase online. Because you will be welding, you will want forged steel horseshoes and not the cast-iron variety.
- 1/4″ thick ring with a 2” diameter.
- A chain with links about 1/8″ thick and 1.5″ long. Old snow tire chains work really well. If the chains are coated in zinc, you will need to remove the coating as zinc will release toxic gases when welded. You can grind it off but soaking the chains overnight with white vinegar will be more efficient.
For a full set of instructions, click here.
- Metal Trellis
Adding a trellis to your deck or home garden can be both decorative and functional. And the best part about this project, you can test out your design skills while honing your welding skills. Depending on the design you choose, this could be a great way to use up some metal scraps you have lying around your shop.
You can design a simple ladder design to help train climbing plants or create something more elaborate with shelves and more.
For some inspiration, check out this trellis project.
- Truck Bed Plywood Rack
Who doesn’t want a totally functional welding project? If you own a truck and regularly haul building materials around, you need a way to do so safely while also giving yourself additional space in the truck bed.
With this rack, you can carry plywood without damaging it and create room underneath for anything else you may need to haul.
And the best part? This design is removable so you can easily take out the rack when you need to utilize the entire truck bed.
Click here to learn more about the design and the tools needed to complete this project.
- Pencil Holder
This is a tiny project that is a great way for beginners to make use of small pieces of scrap metal littering the workshop. A welded pencil holder is a great way to keep your workshop clean and organized and if you decide to spray paint the metal or get more decorative with your design, you’ve got a perfect handmade gift!
To complete the pencil holder you will need:
- 10.5″ square steel tube with inner dimensions of 3/8″ x 3/8″. If you want space for markers or other things, use some steel tubes with wider inner dimensions.
- Files
- Hacksaw
- vice
Click here for full instructions on making the pencil holder.
- Metal Shop Stool
As a beginner welder, you want to be sure that your shop has everything you need to be comfortable. This includes the perfect shop stool.
This is an easy project without any elaborate or intricate pieces to weld together. But, before you dive in, it is best by drawing a plan. While not elaborate, there are more parts than you would expect. More than just the seat and the legs, you will need to weld brackets to ensure the stool is sturdy and functional.
To get started, use this video as a guide.
- Welding Table
Like a shop stool, a welding table is one of the essentials required for a comfortable and functional shop experience. And if you need a work surface you can truly rely on, why not build your own?
This particular project is designed to be sturdy, allow spaces on the tabletop for clamps, and makes use of caster wheels for convenience and functionality.
To complete this project you will want to have 14 hollow square metal bars to build the frame and 8 pieces of 5mm flat bar for the tabletop.
For complete steps and instructions, click here.
- Fire Pit
Is there anything better than spending a summer or autumn evening with friends and family around a fire pit? Instead of building one out of cinder blocks or spending money on a pre-fab pit from a home hardware store, why not build your own?
Using chequer plate and heat resistant paint, you can create a really fun fire pit for your year, patio, dock, or cottage.
Click here to find out the steps you need to take.
- Decorative Fruit Bowl
This decorative fruit bowl will be a true conversation starter! Using mild steel washers of various sizes, you can create a really unique piece that will look great sitting on any counter or tabletop.
Using a steel mixing bowl, lay out the pattern you wish to create. Once this is done, you’re pretty much ready to weld!
To learn how to make a decorative fruit bowl, watch this video.
- Metal House Numbers
Add some curb appeal to your home by making custom metal house numbers! These numbers will be good and strong, able to withstand any bad weather that will come your way. They will be big and visible and you can paint them to match whatever style you’ve got!
If you are feeling extra handy, you could even rig the numbers with LED lighting to make them even more visible at night.
Watch this video to figure out everything you need to do!
- Steel Rocking Chair
This simple, minimal rocking chair will quickly become a family favorite. Sturdy enough to be used on the patio or front porch with fear of weather damage, but stylish enough that you can make it a staple in your living room.
This project requires lengths of steel rods or tubing cut down to the appropriate lengths then welded and bent to create the frame. The sewn fabric seat can be made in any color to match any decor.
Check out the directions here.
- BBQ Pit
Few things in life are more satisfying than food cooked over an open flame. While you are sitting in your welded rocking chair and admiring your fire pit, wouldn’t it be nice to have something to munch on as well?
You could weld yourself a simple grill that can fit over your fire pit, or you could really impress your friends and family by welding a stand-alone BBQ pit.
This 7 step process requires some attention to detail but it is still well within the range of what you can pull off as a beginner!
Click here for the full instructions.
- Scrap Metal Lamp
Like the decorative fruit bowl, this one of a kind lamp will capture attention!
Made from scrap metal of varying sizes, you can create a truly unique and one of a kind piece of art. Make them for yourself or give them as a gift. No two will be exactly the same. You can choose the size, level of detail, and finish. Whatever you can imagine, you can create.
Check out this video of inspiration.
- Hanging Pots And Pans Rack
Organize your kitchen while expanding your welding skills. Depending on how you design and hang the rack, you could get all of your cooking implements out of the cupboard and within easy reach. This can look sleek and stylish and make your cooking simple and easy.
Click here to learn more.
- Holiday Tree Ornaments and Lawn Decorations
Using square-cut concrete nails, you can weld beautiful holiday tree ornaments. This design creates a small Nativity scene but if that doesn’t suit your taste, you can create just about anything: a star, a bell, a snowman, or even a snowflake if you’re feeling ambitious.
The finished product will look great hanging from your indoor tree or hung from trees in the yard. To learn more, click here.
If you like to go a little bigger on the holidays, consider welding a lawn decoration! Using rolled steel bars and strings of Christmas lights, you can make a 5 foot decorative tree. Move over Clark Griswold, there’s a new game in town! For instruction on this project, click here.
- Steel Coffee Table
This build is a little more sophisticated than some on this list but the effort you put into it will be more than worth it.
With a solid wood table top, this coffee table looks cool, modern, and EXPENSIVE. This is a piece you can enjoy for years on end.
While it is a 20 step process, they are 20 steps that will help you improve upon your skills and produce something functional and beautiful.
Click here to learn how to build this steel coffee table.
- Metal Shop Box
This beginner project allows you to develop your welding skills while also making something that can keep your garage or workshop neat and tidy.
A metal shop box can be a great place to store scrap metal and cut metal from all your welding projects. Or, you can use it to store tools or just about anything that requires safekeeping.
All you really need is a piece of sheet metal and the desire to get started. This is a very simple project that can make a big difference in your workspace!
Watch this video to learn more.
- Wine Bottle Holder
When entertaining guests, a custom made, welded wine bottle holder can be a real source of curiosity and conversation.
Made using a chain, this wine bottle holder is easy to make and creates a cool floating effect. Add a little paint and this a design that anyone could fall in love with. Just be prepared to make more than one because as soon as people see it, they’ll want one of their own!
Click here for project instructions.
- Chipping Hammer
As a welder, a chipping hammer is a useful tool, one that you are likely to use in nearly every welding project. So, why not make your own?
Sturdy and durable, this chipping hammer is a fun beginner welding project that you will be using for years to come.
Watch here to learn how.
Understanding the Basics
These welding projects for beginners run the gamut from simple and functional, to detailed and decorative but one thing remains the same for each: you must have a solid grasp of welding basics.
Everyone makes mistakes when just starting out but you can mitigate these mistakes and learn how to improve your welding skills from the comfort of your own home!
Welder 101 is a comprehensive welding course that makes use of my 30+ years of welding experience. My easy to follow tutorials will walk you through everything you need to know to develop your skills and start completing those dream projects or even earning money as a welder.
Welder 101 is perfect for those just starting out or anyone who is looking for a refresher. Enrollment in the program comes with lifetime access and with over 50 video tutorials, and new content added regularly, there is always something relevant to explore.
One of the greatest benefits of Welder 101 is the instant access you will gain to our private Facebook community. Here you can receive peer support and mentoring and find our welding contests!
Enrolling in Welder 101 will give you access to discounts on Welder Up merch as well as discounts on welding equipment and gear from suppliers.
Don’t wait any longer to take your welding skills to the next level. Enroll now and start your journey today!
