Hey all you plant lovers out there! Today, I wanna share a little project I just wrapped up. It’s all about making some tin watering cans. Yeah, you heard that right, those old-fashioned, metal watering cans. I’ve always loved the rustic look of them, and I thought, why not try making a few myself? They’re not only practical for watering plants but also add a nice vintage touch to the garden.
First off, I went on a little hunt for some tin. You know, the kind that’s not too thick, easy to work with, but still sturdy enough to hold water without any issues. I didn’t really care if it was old or new, but I wanted the process to feel easy, so I hit up a few local stores and checked out some websites. Finally found some sheets that seemed perfect for what I had in mind.

Next up, I had to figure out the design. I wanted something classic, nothing too fancy. I sketched out a simple shape for the body, a long spout, and a handle. I thought about making the spout removable, but then I decided to keep it simple and just go with a fixed one. I cut out the pieces from the tin sheets, making sure to wear gloves because those edges can be sharp!
- The Body: This was the largest piece. I shaped it into a cylinder, which wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be. Just needed a bit of patience and a good pair of pliers.
- The Spout: This was a bit trickier. Rolling the tin into a long, narrow cone took some time. I had to make sure the end was small enough for a gentle water flow.
- The Handle: I cut a long strip of tin and bent it into a comfortable shape. I wanted it to be strong, so I folded the edges over a few times.
Putting it all together was the fun part. I used a soldering iron to join the pieces. Now, I’m no expert at soldering, but I managed to get the job done. It wasn’t pretty, but it was solid. The body and spout were attached, and then the handle. I made sure everything was watertight by filling it up and checking for leaks. A few touch-ups here and there, and it was all good.
To give it that rustic charm, I decided to leave the tin as is. No paint, just the natural, slightly shiny finish of the metal. Each can came out a bit different, which I loved. It gave them character, you know? Like they each had their own little story to tell.
Finally, I used them to water my plants. It was so satisfying to see the water flowing out just right, not too fast, not too slow. And they looked great in my garden, just like I imagined. I made a few different sizes, some small ones for indoor plants and a larger one for the garden outside.
This little project was a lot of fun. It wasn’t just about making something useful but also about creating something with my own hands. And let me tell you, there’s nothing like the feeling of using something you made yourself. So, if you’re looking for a fun weekend project, why not give this a try? It’s a great way to add a personal touch to your gardening routine.