How to Visually Identify the Best Metals for Your Next DIY Project

Working on a DIY project is fun and exciting as long as you know what parts suit it best. Any DIY project related to metal works requires planning and some knowledge of the type of metal. Although people who have been working with such projects for a long time know their preferences beforehand, sometimes a slight change in metal type might alter their choices. So, it’s better to check all the available options before deciding on something. If you are looking for a reliable source, then metal piping is available to meet your needs, from structural applications to fluid carrying, FastMetals has a variety of sizes and types. If you successfully identify the proper base metal, you will automatically reduce downtime and ensure a high-quality selection of metals for your project. Some tips you should follow would help you choose the best metal for your DIY project.

Project

Your project will decide which metal plates are right and compatible. Generally, there are three metal types to choose from;

Stainless Steel: If you are searching for a metal plate that is long-lasting and sturdy, then you should go for stainless steel, which has anti-rust properties. They are great for heavy-duty DIY but difficult to mold due to their strength.

Carbon Steel Plates: If you want some lightweight plates, then you should opt for carbon steel plates as they are easy to handle. They have good flexibility but might not offer much strength. 

Aluminum Plates: An aluminum plate is the best choice for projects that need good thermal and electrical conductivity. They are also weather resistant which makes them a versatile metal type. 

Costs

Cost is a significant factor in choosing any metal plate, and this depends on the weight of the metal. Aluminum and stainless steel have the same cost, but the weight of stainless steel makes it more expensive. On the other side, carbon metal plates have a lower cost than the rest. So again, your project will decide which metal suits it the best. 

Strength

The strength of your metal plate also alters your choice. Stainless steel is the strongest but difficult to handle among the mentioned metal plates. While aluminum is sturdy but is easy to manipulate and use. However, carbon plates might be the best for DIY projects; they are balanced in all aspects and easy to use. 

Cutting

Cutting is the primary process while dealing with metal plates, no matter which one you choose. For complicated DIY projects using stainless steel, you will be required to operate heavy machinery to cut. However, light tools can cut carbon and aluminum, making them the preferred choice in most DIY projects. 

All in all, your project will decide the best metal type. Metal DIY projects are hard but fun, as they test your creativity and ingenuity, but only proper tools and materials will help. Therefore, consider the above factors before choosing the right metal plate for your next DIY project.