I've got a couple of projects on the go, which would benefit from doing some basic metalworking.
1. I want to make a metal door to fit inside a wood-fired oven in the garden. The idea is to cut the door from a metal sheet and make a box to the shape of the door. It needs to be a box so that I can fill the void in the box with Vermiculite granules to act as a heat insulator. The dimensions are 25(D) x 250(H) x 400(W)mm, with a curved top. I'm thinking of including a small screw-down flap on the top to pour the Vermiculite in.
2. The second project is an ash box for a home-made BBQ and the dimensions are 75(H) x 35(D) x 65(W)mm.
For both, which would I best work in, mild steel or stainless? What sort of thickness? Which is easiest to work in? Can I make the joints by folding flaps and screwing them or should I get them welded?
I've only got basic metalworking tools but I have access to a small compressor and nibbler for cutting.
Any help or guidance would be appreciated!