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Step 2Make Template and Metal Sheets
Material/Tools for aluminum sheets-
Aluminum cans (10-15)
Ice pick OR awl
Scissors OR
Snips for light weight metal (optional)*
--*I use Fiskars Soft Touch Scissors
For template:
Recycled cereal box or plastic folder, etc.
Ruler
hole punch 1/4 inchÂ
Permanent marker
Corner rounder punch (optional)
To make template:
1. Cut cardboard or other recycled material* into a 5 1/2 inch X 5 1/2 square
--*I used an old plastic folder.
2. Use permanent marker and ruler to mark dots approximately every 3/4 of an inch --*
--*Mark each corner, then evenly space dots between these points (8 dots per side)
3. Use hole punch to punch out marked spots, starting with 4 corners. Be careful and aware of your spacing as you punch holes.
To make aluminum sheets:
1. Wash cans. Shake out excess water or air dry.
2. Lay can on side.
3. Use awl or ice pick to punch starter hole 1 inch from bottom of can, in the UPC code area.*
--* I try to avoid the UPC symbol and ingredient list, etc, in my projects but if you like `em, use `em.
--**Most cans are slightly heavier gauge at the bottom, so if you punch your starter hole low, there is less bending of the metal.
4. Use scissors or snips to cut a slit in can from bottom to top, starting at the hole.
5. Cut away the top of can, snipping in a circle, turning can as you cut. Do same for bottom. At the top, do not cut past the straight part of the can, ie. don't cut to the top rim or the slanted part of the can right below the rim. If you do, it will be very difficult to flatten the can into a sheet.
6. Trim any jagged edges from the can. This will make it safer and easier to handle for the next step.
7. Lay the curled piece of aluminum, painted side down on the table or counter top. Holding sheet at top and bottom, slide sheet off table edge. Using the edge of table to flatten sheet, seesaw back and forth until sheet is completely flat.
8. You may need to rewash and dry your metal sheets at this point as there is often a small residue of whatever liquid was in the can left on the inside. If you skip this step you may have sticky sheets. Yuck.
Aluminum cans (10-15)
Ice pick OR awl
Scissors OR
Snips for light weight metal (optional)*
--*I use Fiskars Soft Touch Scissors
For template:
Recycled cereal box or plastic folder, etc.
Ruler
hole punch 1/4 inchÂ
Permanent marker
Corner rounder punch (optional)
To make template:
1. Cut cardboard or other recycled material* into a 5 1/2 inch X 5 1/2 square
--*I used an old plastic folder.
2. Use permanent marker and ruler to mark dots approximately every 3/4 of an inch --*
--*Mark each corner, then evenly space dots between these points (8 dots per side)
3. Use hole punch to punch out marked spots, starting with 4 corners. Be careful and aware of your spacing as you punch holes.
To make aluminum sheets:
1. Wash cans. Shake out excess water or air dry.
2. Lay can on side.
3. Use awl or ice pick to punch starter hole 1 inch from bottom of can, in the UPC code area.*
--* I try to avoid the UPC symbol and ingredient list, etc, in my projects but if you like `em, use `em.
--**Most cans are slightly heavier gauge at the bottom, so if you punch your starter hole low, there is less bending of the metal.
4. Use scissors or snips to cut a slit in can from bottom to top, starting at the hole.
5. Cut away the top of can, snipping in a circle, turning can as you cut. Do same for bottom. At the top, do not cut past the straight part of the can, ie. don't cut to the top rim or the slanted part of the can right below the rim. If you do, it will be very difficult to flatten the can into a sheet.
6. Trim any jagged edges from the can. This will make it safer and easier to handle for the next step.
7. Lay the curled piece of aluminum, painted side down on the table or counter top. Holding sheet at top and bottom, slide sheet off table edge. Using the edge of table to flatten sheet, seesaw back and forth until sheet is completely flat.
8. You may need to rewash and dry your metal sheets at this point as there is often a small residue of whatever liquid was in the can left on the inside. If you skip this step you may have sticky sheets. Yuck.
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