How to make dishes and bowls out of tin cans

Tinplate, which is what tin cans are made of (tin-plated steel) is a great material for making all sorts of cool things. You'll first need to flatten out the can to get some useable tinplate for your project. Check out my video #4 for instructions on how to do this.

In this Instructable, I'll show you how to make some great little dishes and bowls out of tinplate -- just the thing to add a little sparkle to your next party. They’re made from a single piece of your favorite tin can. You just fold it up -- no soldering. Use them for nuts, candy, keys, loose change, or whatever.

There are one or two little tricks that I'll show you to making these but, once you get the hang of it, you should be able to knock one out in half an hour or so.

You'll need the following tools and materials for this project: Scissors, Awl, Straightedge, Glass cutter, Pliers, Scoring surface (cardboard), Tinplate, and Adhesive spray.

I’ve provided drawings for three different sizes, but you can modify them just by stretching them in one or more direction.

And for a lot more fun tinplate projects for all skill levels, check out our web site.

Step 1 Download this PDF

This PDF contains full-size drawings for three different dishes and bowls. Download it and print them out (three pages).

Comments

[Brosiman]

Your use of a glass cutter to score the lines on the tinplate is brilliant.

[stormy0314]

Say, that band aid wouldn't be for a cut from the tin plate now would it? I used duct tape when I worked with sheet metal. Yours looks better. I really like your web site. Thanks for sharing.

[sunshiine]

I love it and thanks for sharing!

[Penolopy Bulnick]

That is so cute! Awesome idea!

[mikeasaurus]

Looks great!