My DAD was a sheet metal journeyman so I grew up in a sheet metal shop. He worked many years for SNYDER ROOFING AND SHEET METAL in Portland Oregon. I'm 77 now and my DAD is long gone. He was a great man and extremely talented. I am enjoying relearning all the methods and techniques I have forgotten. Most people would think sheet metal work would always be strenuous but mostly it is a job of finesse.

This is so awesome. We need more guys with decades of experience in trades such as these sharing their knowledge.

The Bob Ross of sheet metal!

I love how clear, friendly and easy going you are through all of this. Thank you for making the industry more approachable.

You're like the Mr. Rogers of sheet metal! I love it. My dad always kept random bits of sheet metal around the house and he'd fabricate himself stuff all the time. I think it might be time to start giving these skills a try for myself. I doubt I'll be able to get 40 years out of a bin, but I'd be happy with 20. And if I can inspire my son to learn, all the better.

I’m self taught, so I’m always learning (even at 64) thanks for furthering my knowledge, and making my life easier and less painful. 👍😀👍

Hello from Local 104, you’re always dropping gems in your videos!

You're the Bob Ross of sheet metal.

So back in 1970 junior high school drafting class, sheet metal fabrication layout was one of the first geometric skills we learned. A few years later I had a number of Akro mill bins to hold part that kept dumping screws and a quick sheet metal fab with Home Depot roof flashing fit my need. Cut them out bend them up whack the sharp edges flat.

Thanks for making these videos, I teach HVAC, Electrical, and Plumbings systems at a high school, and I have students that compete in the SkillsUSA sheet metal competitions. Your videos will be extremely helpful during their training. Thank you.

Ken, I’m another of many that wants to thank you! I’m a 26 year old fabrication shop owner & local welding instructor. My fiancée just told me I’m grinning like a school boy as I’m binge watching all your videos. I have the tools… yet lack the knowledge and mentor. Thanks for showing me the ways to sheet metal that I can and will pass on. I never like and subscribe… I just did both. Very grateful

Sheet metal is Fun! Thanks for enthusiasm.

You should be a teacher. Awesome video. First time ever watching a video like this and I know that I could make an amazing bin. Thanks for the content

You sir are a pleasure to learn from, teaching seems to come naturally for you. Thank you.

Ken, I haven’t watched every video you’ve posted (yet), but this one is so concise and chock full of fantastically detailed tips and tricks to create a beautifully functional complex box. It’s such a pleasure watching a master craftsman efficiently perform his craft. 👍👍😎👍👍. Thank you for sharing your experiences…… and especially for sharing with such class and enthusiasm. 2024 is going to be awesome.

Made that exact tool box in middle school shop class.

"Measuring your keep" is such a simple bit of advice, but it applies to every project if you're able to fit it. And it helps mitigate tolerance stacking from the beginning. I can't count how many times we've had simple, silly mistakes from our engineering staff because they measured from point A to B to C to D. It works flawlessly in CAD, but you need the hands on to realize you're going to end up with uneven walls.

Thank you so very much for making these incredibly informative and kind videos. You really excel at getting into the mind of a beginner and offer solid advice for avoiding possible scenarios that could end up in injury, and thus preventing the student from having more fun at the workbench. Keep up the great work.

Thank you so much for such a great video. You are a true craftsman and have a wonderful way of explaining your trade. I know you and your secret camera operator invest a lot of time in shooting, editing and posting this series of videos and I can assure you it is worthwhile - what a legacy!

WOW! Great video! Jay Leno's hair, Mr Rogers/Bob Ross teaching style, and the skill/talent of many years being a pro. Can't imagine better. :) Thanks for creating and sharing.

I truly enjoyed this video. many moons ago I had someone on middle school introduce me to sheetmetal and I made a hemmed box. advance time about 40 years . I was cleaning out my moms storage house and found that little box. I took it home and place it in my tool box. I tried to make another one and of course it did not look the same. Thanks for making this video.

I've done a lot of residential exterior aluminum covering, mostly self taught. In this video alone I've learned several valuable tips that I wish I'd learned years ago. I agree with another comment that he is friendly, easy going and with a bit of humor to add.

Now if only the past companies I worked at could have made their precision CNC-manufactured punched and laser cut parts look as clean as this.

I just found your channel, and glad that I did. I may be your oldest subscriber (78). My career was 32 years as a high school physics teacher, but I loved all the shop classes and encouraged the students who were enrolled in them. For me, the science was great, but the shop classes were where all the theory stuff was applied. Since retiring 24 years ago (early retirement = health problems) I have joined the Guild of Metal Smiths in the Minneapolis/St Paul area. I enjoy all forms of metal working including blacksmithing, welding, and machine shop work. I recently acquired a 3-in-one sheet metal machine which needs some repair. I think it is rated for 22 gauge sheet metal. I would love to have the hefty commercial shear and brakes you have, but my shop space (and my check book) is too limited. I do have a Bridgeport mill and 2 machinist lathes plus a common size drill press and a heavy duty gear drive drill press. I have been teaching my 5 grandsons some of the basics of welding, blacksmithing, and fabricating and now with the help of your videos, I will be adding some sheet metal projects for them to build. I think you do a great job of teaching! Thank You! May the best of health be with you through all of 2024.

Was very fortunate to work in a large ( 65 man ) well stocked maintenance shop that had a extremely talented & sharing sheet metal guy. Before he retired while working the second shift I would come in a hour early on my own time for him to teach me some he called tricks if the trade but to electrician me were magic. He helped me make a Stainless Steel drain pan for under my shower and water heater and a shallow storage box for my tool chest. That was over 40 years ago and still use them. Placed a hose off of shower pan that leads to basement in case shower ever leaked again like it did before I installed a the pan.

This is perfect. I was looking at putting akro-bins in an old postal mail sorting shelf I got for free although I didn't have any bins that fit. Now I can make the prefect size bins to match the cubbies size. Thanks for teaching your trade Ken. We all appreciate it.

My first shop class was in the 7th grade I'm 61 now. Some of the kids made bins like this one, I made a Dust pan and I still have it. We soldered the corners the handle is made from 1/8" x 3/8" steel in a loop and hand riveted. I got a B for a grade as my soldering got a little wild. Great video Thank you.

This was an insightful video. Thank you Ken.

I haven’t made my first sheet metal project yet, Ken, but I learn something in each of your videos that could apply to building anything. Most important tips to me include the drawing of plans to scale and the safety precautions.

Great stuff, Ken! Love all the tips you share. :)

Too bad my shop teacher, 50 years ago, knew none of these techniques and safety tips. Your thorough explanation could have saved me many bandaids and much aggravation over the years.

Good sir, thanks. Pretty and fun project, also, you got me with protractor joke. What a really nice tv show conductor are we missing.

Nice one Ken. Keep teaching your craft, youre a natural teacher! I e done both aluminum coil(sidind\trim) work & galvanized HVAC ductwork and still learn from your videos. I wish i had those nice HD brakes though.👌🏻👍🏻🛠️🔧🔩📏📐🗜️

nice work… makes me feel like part of the shop. thank you

Thank you for taking the time to show us and share your skills. Great craftsmanship!

You're like the Bob Ross of sheet metal work.

best wishes for 2024. Keep these great videos comming Ken 😉

You inspired me to give it a try and you're right, sheet metal is fun. I've had a sheet of galvanized steel in the basement that was here when i moved in so i bought a couple of hand tools and followed the video and now ive got a good looking storage bin. I plan to make a bunch more now. Thanks!

It's always a pleasure to watch a true professional at work. Hope you keep sharing your videos.

I love that you re-iterate the safety precautions! And your (grand)dad jokes 😂

If I were a young man, and saw your video, I would be inspired to take up sheet metal work as a career! As it is though with me being a retiree, I am learning how to make things in my own shop! I don't have all the bending tools that you do, but I make do with various 'tricks' (angle irons and a vice!) Thank you Ken! Happy New Year!

Fabulous- from an old guy getting into the hop more- Thanks! Although Im 30 years late to the metalworking party... buying a pan box brake for the house in the spring! Thanks my dude! OG's Rock! Subscribed!

40 years ago. Wow, They're antiques

the Bob Ross of sheet metal :-)

I appreciate his emphasis on safety. Something thats often overlooked on youtube.

You are great I love the clarity ,,your Christmas tree and the 4 way scribes are so cool ...soldering class is perfect too. Keep em coming ..pjb

Local 105 in the house ! Thank you for the knowledge 🙏🏽

OK Ken Dude. This is the organizer I've been trying to figure out. thanks for the easy lesson

Great tips on great techniques. Thanks!

I'm currently going to college to be a machinist, but I've always loved the idea of fabrication as well. Finding this channel is amazing, the way you teach it is so approachable and especially with this project, very nice entry level stuff for a beginner. I might see if I can stop by a friends dads place who is a fabricator to try to make myself one of these bins. Thanks!

Your videos are fantastic

Happy new Ken and family, what a great start to the year a new lesson with Ken.

If you had a piano intro you could be the Mister Rogers of sheet metal.

This presentation rises above other channels for several reasons. The way in which you describe your workflows, why you hold the work piece and tools in a way to always minimize injury (thinking ahead of the task). In addition to that, you also show tips on eg. de-burring that I have not really considered in all my years in fabricating.. using a knife sharpener as a de-burring tool.. I wish I knew that several months ago. I could go on and on.. how to cut out the work, where to measure from, how to lay out lines.. all excellent advice. This earned an instant like and subscribe from me, well done sir. Cheers,

"And then the wwiieerrddoo stuff" 😂😂 You are the bob ross of sheet metal

Clear, enjoyable explanation. Thanks!

I'm going to make a bunch of these to help organize my shed/she-cave. Thank you for the detailed instructions! 😊

Thanks. That's a beautiful bin. Happy new year!

I'll be sure to watch this one again. Great job Ken and Happy New Year

Just found you're channel and ready to absorb the lessons. Just wish I had found it years ago! All the best to you for 2024 young man!

50:20 So adorable 🥰

That's definitely my next project! Thanks and happy new year 👋🏻

I have been retired since 2011 and restore classic cars as a hobby and am always fixing cancer/rust on the bodies and frames for which I only use plate and sheet metal and grind all my welds to make repairs invisible when at bare metal stage similar to the ss trays you welded and ground your corners to look seamless. I can't tell you how watching you use the metal working equipment has improved the amount of effort it takes to get to that level of fit and finish. Having always had a home workshop and been repairing items for over 50 years I am competent welder in most forms/techniques gas stick mig and tig. I recently gifted myself with a hand laser very pricey my cost was almost 20K for a 3KW unit that cleans and welds and cuts and feeds wire filler w/shielding gas. My question is have you tried this process yet, In less than an hour I was producing welds of higher stronger quality that took me decades to become proficient with other methods. I have to handle torch like a loaded gun and be careful of reflected beams goggles are more akin to lightly shaded sunglasse, but I am able to weld at 5-6 times faster with out shrinkage than MIG and can hold pieces while welding with out gloves, when the cost of gear becomes more reasonable I believe this is a game changer process and am interested in your thoughts?

thx. That front corner trick was great. Happy new year!

Hi Ken, under your heading, sheet metal is fun it says more. Found the gauge size and list of tools. Thanks again Great videos

I've been tinkering in my off time the last few weeks. Your toolbox video inspired me to bend up some sheet metal. I found some old crusty 24 gauge duct and straightened it out before adding my bends. I used an old steel square, the aluminum edge on my bench, locking pliers, a tinner's hammer, and a six inch hand seamer. All went well until I opted to tack weld the seams instead of using rivets. I hadn't welded anything that thin previously and went into it with a touch of overconfidence. Blew a few holes through it straight away. I decided to use that particular box to learn how to properly weld thin gauge steel. The replacement I bent up and welded turned out alright, but not perfect. I've since made a small hinged box for my brass punches, and a tray for the toolbox. Thanks for the inspiration!

THANK YOU so much for this video. I have been trying to template some bins like these since I saw them in the end of your other video. I have been playing with the template design on poster paper and haveant pulled the trigger on actually cutting and bending any up. Seeing this video gives me the gumption to make some of these up finally.

Goddamn this guy can draw some straight lines

Great video, God bless you

perfect video! great work

This is awesome! Just subscribed. ✌🏼🇺🇸

I've been waiting for this one, thank you Ken and your team! 💙

👍👍👍. Thank you

Thank you so much!

Just found your channel and Subscribed. Very nice work

Awesome channel! Subbed!

Nice job, a parallel line development project would be cool to show some people how to miter or cope some pipe.😉👍

Awesome I got to try to make some

I'm making me a few of those when I get some more sheet metal.

"A tractor that lost its amateur status" - protractor

Can’t wait to make a set. Now where are those bandaids

Happy new year Ken. I really appreciate the time and effort you've put into making this tutorial, I found it very useful. A working life's worth of tips, tricks and experience, so what's not to like and appreciate. Do you mind me asking, could you solder the joints on this galv' sheet? If so, I'd love to see a tutorial on that, I've always considered soldering sheet metal to be a dark art, LOL. I'm going to sub and check out a few more of your tutorials youth. Kind regards from the Orkney Islands, NE Scotland, UK. Your words and wisdom have travelled far my friend, chuckle!!

Great video, very clear instructions. Could the flaps be spot welded?

Thanks for sharing this great project. Which thickness of material did you use?

When I was in 7th grade back in the late sixties we had sheet metal class. Besides rivets we would solder joints with a heated copper iron. Does the trade still use solder in fabrication or installation? Can the application of resitance soldering be used in sheet metal work? Resitance soldering is a recent discovery for me and may be a good choice in a home shop over the cost of a spot welder.

Nice Video. Happy New Years 2024 🌏 #STAYSAFE #PHILLYPHILLY 🇺🇸

Fantastic video! How would one make the finger bends without a break and finger attachment?

What do think about adding a 45 degree tab on the back so it could hang on a slat wall like the plastic ones do? I think I might try it.

Awesome video production/discussion/demostration…great tips along with trade standards….when is the video on how to fix bending the wrong direction 😂 as I have achieved that bozo ability…HNY

So no addition to the dimensions for the bend radius? If I can make one suggestion on the video production, is that after you make your scribes, highlight them with a sharpie so they show up on the video better. Thanks for the lessons!

Thanks Ken. Why does the old galvanized have that cool camo/crystal pattern but the new galvanized does not?

What is the brand of hand riveter that you use? I have been having a hard time finding one that doesn't clog up. Of course there are so many cheap versions on the internet, so any help is much appreciated! I love this video and I'm learning a lot!

I understand the “cover your drop” safety tip. But I find that I make my choice of left Vs right snips often goes opposite this. The “drop” is typically a thin piece that can easily ride up the curve of the snips. The “work” is typical wider and bulkier so more easily rides below the snips. So I often use the red snips if the work is to the right and the green snips of the work is to the left.

Thanks, Ken. Can yuo give me some advice on material selection? What guage/material to purchase to form these and the tool caddy?

Duck bill platypus. then the kids never forget 👍

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

Hello Ken, thank you for your videos! I've been going through them, one by one, and noting the similarites to how I pattern my commercial machinery covers. In my case, I am cutting and sewing them, but occasionally using velcro or snaps when a customer needs to remove them easily(or when they're very large/heavy). My own needs for organizer bins in my shop have led me here, and having not found a suitable plastic tub that works the way I want them to(they're always 1/2 in too tall, haha!), I'm looking to make my own. Now, my question. I would like to invest into a finger brake. I have the space for a 3ft or 4ft finger brake, as some of my future needs would likely include smaller size bins. Friends always come to me asking for help with making things, so I see this as more of a "buy once cry once" investment. However, I'm not a rich man(money wise) so finding a used machine would be best. I have seen some Tennsmith machines listed on the local classifieds, but it seems that some new machines, coming from outside the USA, are also of good quality(especially for a small time occasional fabricator like myself). Would love to hear your thoughts, if you can share any recommendations or considerations. God bless!

How do you bend without the bender / brake?

Hi Ken, what gauge metal do you use on your videos?

😮❤🤩😎