New Skill ... Tin Punching

A client recently requested that we add a pair of punched tin panels to her new kitchen cabinets. Since we had already installed most of the kitchen, time was short. We took some copper scraps and a nail to make some test panels, did a little Googling and decided to have at it. After making a cad line drawing inspired by a piece in the client's house, we picked up some steel, fastened it temporarily to a thick piece of plywood, taped on the pattern and started punching, spacing the holes by eye. Before starting the real panels we sharpened a nail set to a point. Will had to take a couple of breaks, as it was a lot of hammering and punching, and I only heard a few swear words, as he moved through them in pretty short order. We found some spray primer rated for galvanized, and after letting that cure a few days, we sprayed a couple of thin coats of latex paint on both sides. They will now be brushed out by the painter on site to matched the rest of the kitchen. I'm very pleased with the way they came out and think that it was a great addtion to the design of the kitchen .... more photos of the finished kitchen later ... Click to enlarge ...