You’re the only person I can find anywhere online who uses sheets of metal from cans for anything!!! Which is crazy to me but I’m so glad I found you! Thank you!!!

@UpcycleDesignLab

11 ай бұрын

Hi Faith thanks for watching. I am kind of addicted to working with this material it is so versatile. I am happy you found me too. 🙂

@faithbresciani9425

11 ай бұрын

@@UpcycleDesignLab trying to make some armor out of it for a Ren Faire costume now! Never worked with it and never really made clothes so it should be interesting.

@UpcycleDesignLab

11 ай бұрын

@@faithbresciani9425 Have you seen my trash fashion wedding dress? If not you might find some tips here. kzread.info/head/PLrO021b6nBBRFPgsPFBLj1iNqdRt6m_IS Have fun with your project 🙂

I love how these can become so much more with a little imagination. Thanks so much for sharing.

@UpcycleDesignLab

5 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching 😊

If you used baking sheets between the cans this would stop the print transfer and will stop them sticking together. As I don’t have an oven or stove it will have to be the iron option for me, but this has given me a thought of how we flatten flowers in a pressing board🤔🤔if one could be made for doing cans that could be clamped and placed into the oven with even more sheets at a time. Thank you for sharing and making me think outside of the box🤗🤗

@UpcycleDesignLab

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for all the great ideas I like the pressed flower box idea you have gotten my wheels spinning.

My dad would tell you to put your gloves on Lol. Great idea with the cans! I’ve been looking for something like this for a project. ❤

@UpcycleDesignLab

Жыл бұрын

Hi thanks for watching. I know a lot of people are worried about the sharp edges but I have injured myself a lot more seriously and frequently with my glue gun. 🙂🙂🙂

@Cure_E_Osity

Жыл бұрын

@@UpcycleDesignLab lol

Thank you for sharing these ideas!

@UpcycleDesignLab

11 ай бұрын

Of course. Thanks for watching 😊

As I didn't have a suitable heavy pan I just tried your 'baking in the oven' method using a house brick (flat side down of course). Worked a treat.

@UpcycleDesignLab

4 ай бұрын

Great improvising. Thanks for sharing 🙂

Thank you so much Cindy, I really really enjoyed watching you show how to flatten those can’s. Great!!!!!!! I really really found this so useful and helpful too. Please stay safe and well too xxx Mags ❤❤❤

@UpcycleDesignLab

Жыл бұрын

I am happy you found the information useful 😊

Thanks you for making this video comparing 3 methods! This is the first time I’ve heard of the oven method and I look forward to trying it.

@UpcycleDesignLab

Жыл бұрын

Hi Michelle - thanks so much for watching. I am happy you found this information useful.

Great to see you! Thanks for the tip! I’d never heard of using the oven! I like that you can do so many at once!

@UpcycleDesignLab

Жыл бұрын

Hi Donita - thanks for watching. Yes I wish I had learned about the oven option sooner. 🙂🙂🙂

Great video. Thanks for sharing these methods as well. 👍

@UpcycleDesignLab

Жыл бұрын

Hi Debbie - thanks for watching.

Thank you! Good information!

@UpcycleDesignLab

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching. 🙂

💕 Great information! I've used the back of a chair, but never an iron or the oven. Thank you. 💕

@UpcycleDesignLab

Жыл бұрын

Hi Jodi - thanks for watching. I am happy you found this information useful. 🙂

I can’t wait to try this. I will say that I am your Doppelgänger. I showed this video to my husband and he was mesmerized at how much we look alike 😮.

@UpcycleDesignLab

Жыл бұрын

Hi Doppelganger thanks for watching 😊

Love your ideas

@UpcycleDesignLab

Жыл бұрын

Thanks 😊

Muy útil, gracias.

@UpcycleDesignLab

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching. I am happy you found this information helpful. 🙂

Good informarion...thanks

@UpcycleDesignLab

Жыл бұрын

Hi Sharon - thanks for watching. I am happy you found the information useful.

Wonderful

@UpcycleDesignLab

5 күн бұрын

Thanks 😊

Wow thats amazing 😍🤩

@UpcycleDesignLab

Жыл бұрын

Thanks 😊

Also, heavy books overnight or 3 days. ❤❤❤❤

@UpcycleDesignLab

Жыл бұрын

I haven't tried that one. Thanks

I need a dutch oven now lol thanks for the advice i will be doing this...once i get a dutch oven that is lol

@UpcycleDesignLab

10 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching 😊

Parchment between the layes in the oven might help prevent color transfer.

@UpcycleDesignLab

Жыл бұрын

Hi Susan - thanks for the great idea. File it under why didn't I think of that? 🙂🙂🙂

Cool, I will try 20 using scrap masonry bricks in a leftover toaster oven with wax paper between half of the stack as a sample and let you know. Thanks for the video

@UpcycleDesignLab

Жыл бұрын

Hi good luck with your test. Thanks for watching. 🙂

With the oven method, may b put the printed sides together. Thanks for the video.

@UpcycleDesignLab

4 ай бұрын

Interesting idea. If you could hold them flat while you added the weight it might help with the color transfer. Thanks for watching. 🙂

@nick4leader

3 ай бұрын

​@@UpcycleDesignLab maybe chair method first then printed sides back to back in oven. Also with them being pretty flat already maybe that will shorten baking time

@UpcycleDesignLab

3 ай бұрын

​@@nick4leaderYou could certainly try that. Thanks for the idea.

15 minutes at 450 degrees is the sweet spot inside the oven

@drinkbleachbaby8819

5 ай бұрын

I just did it and it worked. I tried at 10 minutes and to bendy 20 minutes and they come out burned and with spots all over them.

I just tried 30 cans in the oven. I would not repeat 30 cans as there is too much curl pressure in the aluminum for the weight of my cast iron pan. More curl pressure than I am comfortable with.

@UpcycleDesignLab

Жыл бұрын

Hi thanks for watching and sharing your experience. 🙂

@janasher4940

Жыл бұрын

I was thinking about a huge amount also. But I would place them between 2 sheets the same size to keep them flat, then use a Dutch oven with a huge picnic roast and veggies inside. If I have to heat the oven that high, I should be cooking something. Or put some fireplace bricks on top of the cookie sheets - those will take the heat and not off gas.

@kreynolds1123

Жыл бұрын

@@janasher4940 in my experence, the biggest problem with curl pressure was simply setting them up and keeping them flat enough to not recurl as I try to position the weight on top.

@marciamcmillan7880

Жыл бұрын

​@@kreynolds1123I wonder if you could combine the 1st method with the 3rd? Just flatten the cans on a corner enough to lay semi flat, or two humps? Then you would have an easier time arranging the can sheets for the oven. I'm going to try it.

@kreynolds1123

Жыл бұрын

@@marciamcmillan7880 may work. A little ocd comes out in me about crinkles in the sheets. It may be sufficient good for your needs.

You can make a windscreen for backpacking stoves with these.

@UpcycleDesignLab

5 ай бұрын

Yes you could.. Thanks for sharing your idea. 🙂

I was wondering if you had tried maybe stacking the same size cookie sheets on top of one another for multiple layers then put a pot on top of that to hold them down with weight.

@UpcycleDesignLab

Жыл бұрын

Hi Jason I haven't but it is a good idea particularly if you had a second pair of hands. 🙂 thanks for watching.

@fanciflower

Жыл бұрын

I thought the same! You could probably even do a lot more at once too 🤟🏻

enjoy your information. Do you think that putting the shiny sides together would prevent the "staining" when using the oven method?

@UpcycleDesignLab

Жыл бұрын

Hi Pamela - I didn't think of that but I think it is a good idea. Another person suggested putting parchment paper between the layers which is also a good idea. Thanks for watching .

I like the oven idea. Can you use a lighter pot or a pyrex dish filled with water for the weight?

@UpcycleDesignLab

Жыл бұрын

Hi thanks for watching. You can use anything that is heavy enough to hold the cans flat and that can withstand 450 degrees.

Thanks for the video. Do you put the Dutch oven in ‘dry’ or do you put some water or something in it to help absorb some of the heat?

@UpcycleDesignLab

5 ай бұрын

Hi I just put in in empty. Thanks for watching 😊

Have you ever heard the poem, Hector the Collector - By shel Silverstein It’s one of my favorite (and saddest) poems, but it always comes to mind when I come here. Thought I’d share it!

@butwhytho4858

Жыл бұрын

Hector the Collector Collected bits of string, Collected dolls with broken heads And rusty bells that would not ring. Bent-up nails and ice-cream sticks, Twists of wires, worn-out tires, Paper bags and broken bricks. Old chipped vases, half shoelaces, Gatlin' guns that wouldn't shoot, Leaky boasts that wouldn't float And stopped-up horns that wouldn't toot. Butter knives that had no handles, Copper keys that fit no locks Rings that were too small for fingers, Dried-up leaves and patched-up socks. Worn-out belts that had no buckles, 'Lectric trains that had no tracks, Airplane models, broken bottles, Three-legged chairs and cups with cracks. Hector the Collector Loved these things with all his soul-- Loved them more then shining diamonds, Loved them more then glistenin' gold. Hector called to all the people, 'Come and share my treasure trunk!' And all the silly sightless people Came and looked ... and called it junk. Where The Sidewalk Ends - Silverstein

@christinavallem5669

Жыл бұрын

Beauty is in the imagination of the beholder.

@UpcycleDesignLab

Жыл бұрын

I have not heard that poem. Thanks 🙂

@butwhytho4858

Жыл бұрын

@@christinavallem5669 right! I think it’s such a gift when a collector can help ordinary ppl see the beauty and creativity in what society mostly calls “junk”. That poem always made me smile; always helped me to remember that some ppl just needed help in opening their eyes to the treasures of a collector 💕

well. i was waiting for the beads

@UpcycleDesignLab

11 ай бұрын

Hi the bead tutorial is a different video. Here is the link. kzread.info/dash/bejne/jKutzrKJpbqspJs.html

Question: How did you cut the can in the first place?

@UpcycleDesignLab

4 ай бұрын

Hi thanks for watching. This video will show you how I break down all my cans. kzread.info/dash/bejne/fWigyNWkicibc84.htmlsi=DheO3ZP7B8KpD-fs

1. Have you tried sublimating onto soda cans? 2. Have you tried aluminum cat food cans? I don't do sodas anymore.

@UpcycleDesignLab

Жыл бұрын

Hi Rebecca - I have never done any sublimation. I do think it is an interesting craft to try but my understanding is that what ever you use as a blank has to be specially prepared to receive the sublimation artwork so I don't think it would work on the aluminum. But l don't know for sure sorry. As far as the cat food cans go I don't think they would work for a lot of the projects that I have made with aluminum cans because they are much heavier/thicker metal and would be harder to work with. Having said that I am a big proponent of experimenting so you could try working with the cat food cans. Hope that helps. Thanks for watching.

Many thanks for sharing it. How do you paint them, I mean with acrylics? And do you protect it?

@UpcycleDesignLab

Жыл бұрын

Hi - thanks for watching. I have used acrylic paint, spray paint and alcohol inks to add color to the aluminum. Depending on the end use I have added sealing finishes. One of my favorites is Americana DecoArt DuraClear Gloss Varnish.

@cacevedo07

Жыл бұрын

@@UpcycleDesignLab Many thanks for your reply and your videos

I would be interested in how you remove the tops and bottoms of the cans.

@UpcycleDesignLab

Жыл бұрын

Hi Paul - I think this is the information you are looking for. kzread.info/dash/bejne/fWigyNWkicibc84.html Thanks for watching 😊

@paulfrost8952

Жыл бұрын

@@UpcycleDesignLab thank you for the link.👍

@UpcycleDesignLab

Жыл бұрын

@@paulfrost8952 Sure. Thanks again for watching.

@occipitalneuralgia2339

Жыл бұрын

It’s never occurred to me in 23 years of working with aluminum cans creatively to flatten them out like this. I was always afraid of ruining the graphics/ink on them. The graphics always mattered to me. Also I wonder if heat alters the metal in some way? Breaks down the strength or something? I just worked with the curves as part as the unique nature as the material. 😁

@UpcycleDesignLab

Жыл бұрын

@@occipitalneuralgia2339 hi sorry I just saw your comment. I have not found that the metal is altered by heating other than the flattening. The iron is the best method if you want to use the printed side of the aluminum. Thanks for watching 😊

How does the iron on high heat not melt it?

@UpcycleDesignLab

Жыл бұрын

Hi irons only heat to about 450 degrees Fahrenheit and aluminum melts at 1221 degrees so the iron won't melt the cans. Thanks for watching.

Is there any risk of them sticking together and not coming apart? Do you put water in the pot that goes in the oven?

@UpcycleDesignLab

11 ай бұрын

Hi I don't think there is any risk of them not coming apart with the oven method the 450 degrees is well below the melting point of aluminum. You could pit water in the pot if you needed to add some extra weight but it might boil off or make a mess so I would recommend using something else that is heavy but can withstand the 450 degrees. Thanks for watching.

Idk if this would ruin anything - has anyone tried a hair straightener? May need parchment paper or foil over the ink side but that seems like it would work

@UpcycleDesignLab

2 ай бұрын

Hi that's an interesting question. You would want to have a good pair if heat resistant gloves to hold the metal as you pass it through the straightener but it might work. Thanks for watching. 🙂

I wonder if sandwiching cans between sheets of parchment paper would help protect the finish and printing. It'd be even better if the sheets could be reused.

@UpcycleDesignLab

Жыл бұрын

Hi Susie - yes I think that is a good idea. Thanks. I didn't think of that when I was making the video. Thanks for watching. 🙂

@Susie_Floozie

Жыл бұрын

​@@UpcycleDesignLab I seldom subscribe to crafting channels, but you snared my interest. I dig your sense of style and pleasant demeanor--and you solid knowledge. I've been harvesting can art for projects since the '90s, and I've had to make it up as I go along. It's nice to get some real high-level tips from someone who's a pro at this obscure craft. Thanks for sharing your expertise!

@UpcycleDesignLab

Жыл бұрын

@@Susie_Floozie thanks so much 🙂

Seems like the method with the chair is the fastest. The iron takes 10 minutes minimum. I guess it depends on how picky you are.

@UpcycleDesignLab

3 ай бұрын

Hi - I have found that each method has its uses. Yes the chair or table is quick and works for a lot of projects. But I like to cut the aluminum sheets on my Cricut cutting machine and for that you need a smooth flat sheet so the iron or oven method is better. Thanks for watching and commenting. Cheers Cindy

Now what are they useful for?

@UpcycleDesignLab

Жыл бұрын

Hi Judi - here is a playlist of things I have made from aluminum cans sheets if you are interested. Aluminum Can Sheet Projects: kzread.info/head/PLrO021b6nBBSR8_2ufBlxPcQWiUe7dcq5

I like your ideas for flattening the cans - I have tried putting them through the die cut machine with success (using embossing folders as well). Unfortunately, I have noticed in the last year or two, that many aluminum cans are plain metal with the design printed on shrink wrap plastic. This is not suitable when you process the cans and want to keep the design.

@UpcycleDesignLab

Жыл бұрын

Hi I have seen the shrink wrap plastic labels as well. They are pretty handy if you don't want the print on either side. I do save them for specific projects. I have never tried the die cutting machines with folders but I am curious about them. Thanks for watching.

The chair is waaaaaaay easier

👍🇧🇷

@UpcycleDesignLab

Жыл бұрын

Thanks 😊

Thanks for giving me a brain fart; if one doesn’t have a Dutch oven, use two sheet pans to sandwich the cans. Put them in oven with the same time as the Dutch oven. Apply pressure with a brick or Dutch oven.

Your first result is uneven because you are pulling the metal over a *curved* edge. Of course that makes it skewompitty! Instead, pull it over a straight edge of a counter or table. Two strokes and it's flat. And even. I have done hundreds of cans this way. It uses no electricity, which is better ecologically, right? I used to process our dinner beverage cans by rinsing them, letting them drain while I cleaned up, then freeing that sheet of aluminum. Only takes a couple of minutes, and a couple a day adds up in no time.

@UpcycleDesignLab

Жыл бұрын

Hi Holly, thanks for watching and commenting. Yes I would say that flattening over a straight edge is the most ecological way to flatten cans. I probably need more practice because I always end up curling them backwards. 🙂🙂🙂

@user-gu2kq1jr1j

10 ай бұрын

Thank you, yes. I have found just running them passed my metal ruler is sufficient and quick. I am doing HUNDREDS as I am siding my garden shed using a hatch pattern... so far, so good👍🏼

@UpcycleDesignLab

10 ай бұрын

@@user-gu2kq1jr1j Now that is a project! Way to go.

🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️ I take my cans to get recycled. Don't have time to do this craziness. 😮😮😮

So if you are trying to be ecological, why are you using an oven for 45 minutes... oof

@UpcycleDesignLab

10 ай бұрын

The oven allows you to flatten lots if cans at one time so that is the benefit.

Removing the tops and bottom without damage are the most difficult aspects of the project, but you just skip over that crucial step. Disappointing.

@UpcycleDesignLab

Жыл бұрын

Hi sorry you didn't find what you were looking for. I remove the tops by punching a hole with a knife and then cutting the rest with scissors. This does damage the can a little so if you want clean straight edges you can mark and re-trim the edges. I don't usually worry about the edges because I generally cut the aluminum sheet into other shapes. Hope that helps. Thanks for watching.

@cindysissy

Жыл бұрын

@@UpcycleDesignLab Thank you for replying positively to my somewhat rude comment 🙂

@PaulojnPereira

Жыл бұрын

Or if you want to go hi tech just use a laser etching machine with a 10 Watt laser and some Laser rotary roller module. At maximum power and slow speed (5 mm/s) a diode laser can cut very thin metal sheets with ease.

@PaulojnPereira

Жыл бұрын

Simple way: use an x-acto knife blade and two pieces of flat wood, place the blade inside the two pieces of wood in a way that only a tiny tip (5 mm) is showing, the bottom wood should be slightly above the desired cutting area, then just glue both pieces together with the blade inside and use it to press the can against the tip of the blade while rotating it on a flat surface. A few passes will be enough and the results are awesome; Perfectly cut straight lines. PS: similar jig can be found here on youtube: "How to Make a Soda Can Stove - Old vs Improved Design"

@cindysissy

Жыл бұрын

@@PaulojnPereira I am low tech, so I like simple:-) Thank you for the explanation and the link!