How To Make a Sheet Metal Box - Shop Class Project

This is another great beginner sheet metal project I use in my shop classes. I use it to teach print reading skills and order of operations to my students.
If you're not a teacher these can be great little storage devices to have around the shop or turned into small drawers with the addition of a simple pull or handle.
If you teach shop class of some kind I've started a little website to document/compile shop teacher content/curriculum. I'm really just getting started with it but I should be posting much more to it soon. Find it at
sites.google.com/view/shopcla...
Find me on Instagram @shopclassbuilds
Again thank you for taking time out of your day to scan through my project!
Let me know in the comments if you make one or use this in your class.

[@miriamquagliato1149]

Finally! Clear,simple instructions! Thanks!

[@shopclassbuilds]

You're welcome!

[@henryskinner1092]

Thanks, you are a very good teacher. I am glad and grateful I found your channel. Stay Safe and God Bless.

[@shopclassbuilds]

Thank you and thank you for watching!

[@edwardhugus2772]

Nice little shop box.

[@shopclassbuilds]

Thank you!

[@ryanclayton845]

Great Reference. Thank you.

[@shopclassbuilds]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@papergatorzfedducca7998]

New subscriber 🔥🔥🔥 DONT STOP KEEP EM COMING!! Great teacher bro!!

[@shopclassbuilds]

Thank you! I've got more planned, just slow with the making of videos. Thanks for watching

[@sribalajitourist4215]

Thanks a lot brother (praveen from india )

[@shopclassbuilds]

You're welcome!

[@garymucher4082]

Nicely done and explained. You could also cut the tabs off the sides and than weld the four side edges and finish the box off without and spot welds on the sides. Than the boxes would look smooth and clean. Just an idea as an option... Thumbs Up!

[@shopclassbuilds]

Thanks for watching! I like that idea but usually when I teach this in my classes the students have barely had experience using a hammer so we hold off on teaching them to weld until a little later in the year.

[@C33Chevy]

@@shopclassbuilds why not put taps on in

[@user-vb9bu3zn8q]

Great video. Very concise. Do you mind explaining the process of sanding and finishing sheet metal boxes?

[@shopclassbuilds]

Because the metal we use is untreated and straight from a local manufacturing plant we need to prep the metal before painting. To do that we just sand the box with 80-120 grit sand paper to remove any rust, grease, and grime. Then we run it wash it up with some water and some paper towels. Once it's dry we can apply the paint. Thanks for watching and sorry it took me so long to reply.

[@gregchoma7693]

I was always told not to hammer that seam edge flat but to retain the slight teardrop shaped edge. It stays straight and rigid that way. It gets wavy and flimsy when hammered flat. The hems I mean.

[@shopclassbuilds]

Interesting, I've always been taught to do it the way I showed on the video. But that would make sense as I can see how that tear drop shape would make it more rigid. I'll have to play around with it to see if I could teach it that way without just making it harder for my students to make it without a bunch of dents in their hems.

[@mikejustice1196]

Should I cut metal to fall away from me or towards me taking a risk of an eye injury?

[@shopclassbuilds]

You always want to be wearing safety glasses of some sort when you are cutting metal. I generally always cut away from my body when using hand shears. After some practice you will get the feel for where the metal might go as you're cutting and then you can angle it away from you for safety.

[@jocblues]

Excellent work, what is the thickness of the sheet?

[@shopclassbuilds]

I think it was around 24 to 25 gauge. But we have used anything from 22-26 gauge for these boxes over the years. Thank you for watching!

[@tc5878]

Hi there. Can i put liquid into it?

[@shopclassbuilds]

The way we make them, they would not hold liquid.

[@tc5878]

@@shopclassbuilds Alright. Thanks!

[@generalleigh7387]

What would you charge a customer for that exact box?

[@shopclassbuilds]

I have no idea. I just teach my students how to make them.

[@generalleigh7387]

@@shopclassbuilds If you have no idea, how have you made it thus far in life?

[@shopclassbuilds]

Good question, just one step at a time I reckon.

[@generalleigh7387]

@@shopclassbuilds Have you come to know Jesus yet?

[@Snotwheels]

​@@generalleigh7387 shut up

[@user-fg8jo1cf2e]

Why not put the tabs on the inside?

[@shopclassbuilds]

Generally it looks better with the tabs on the outside. But it also rounds that corner off better so you don't have a sharp edge that could cut you when you move the box around.

[@systemtim]

normal procedure to mark from two edges at 90 to each other………..

[@shopclassbuilds]

Is this a question about marking the lines?