Small-quantity metal supplier

Hundreds of entries received from talented welders, fabricators, metalworkers and artists across 4 countries

TORONTO – Metal Supermarkets, the world’s largest supplier of small-quantity metals, announced the six winners of the 10^th annual Metal My Way contest, of which it is the creator and presenting sponsor.

Link to all winner photos: Winner Photos

This year’s competition received over 830 of submissions from across North America and the United Kingdom with projects ranging from small engine models, car restorations, commissioned art to large scale renovations and construction projects. Metalworking professionals and enthusiasts were encouraged to submit their metal-made projects during September for a chance to win prizes.

This year’s grand prize winner is Cindy Chinn from Chester, Nebraska, United States, for her submission entitled ‘The Peacock’. Created over the course of a year, Cindy worked with copper sheets over a framework of rebar and pipe to create the body of peacock. Fabricated mild steel rod and scrap metal were used to construct the legs and head while the wings consist of copper rods and tubing.

Additionally, the outstanding projects in five categories received a Lincoln Electric Weld Pak. The category winners are:

Best Vehicle Project: James Frankland purchased metal from the Metal Supermarkets store in Southampton, United Kingdom to build his ‘Homemade Submarine’. James set about to fulfill a childhood dream and engineering challenge when he first took on the build. Over the course of six years, the creation involved welding, cutting, machining and general fabrication. After the design was certified, James’ submarine was rated to 100 meters diving depth.

Best Artistic and Design Project: Nancy Bole of Wichita, Kansas, United States – ‘The Indian’ – Nancy created this project based on her affinity to the Cherokee and Cree tribes. She spent almost six months to finish the creation using a plasma table to cut the metal, before welding and sculpting the crown, feathers and head.

Best Furniture and Home Project: Deborah Mitchell of Easley, South Carolina, United States – ‘Security Doors’ – Over 100 hours of work went into the creation of Deborah’s project that featured brushed copper sheeting, steel, steel rods, and copper wire. To make the commission for an art collector client, Deborah employed a variety of tools including tube bender, angle grinder, Dremel tool, hammer, and welding tools.

Best Industrial or Shop Project: Keith Broomfield purchased metal from the Metal Supermarkets store in London (Park Royal), United Kingdom to build his ‘4 Cylinder Hot Air Engine’. With an interest in small steamboats plus open boilers and engines, Keith spent almost five years creating his four-cylinder configuration featuring two crankshafts geared together. Using mild steel, stainless steel, silver steel, brass and phosphor bronze, Keith welded and soldered his own design using parts he created.

Best Knife Project: Isaiah Chevalier purchased metal from the Metal Supermarkets store in Anchorage, Alaska, United States to create ‘Snake Head Dagger’. Starting from the attitude of wanting to make something ‘different and unique, Isaiah took about 40 hours to create 80 layers of 15n20 carbon blade steel and 80crv2 high-carbon tool steel for his project. He forged the wrought iron guard featuring a cactus handle with brass inlay topped off with a find point to resemble a snake’s fang.

Winners were selected based on complexity, detail and intricacy; scale; uniqueness and creativity; craftmanship; quantity of metal used; and ingenuity. Selections were made by a committee consisting of Metal Supermarkets corporate staff.

“It was another challenging year to pick the winners from all the incredible projects submitted to this year’s Metal My Way contest,” said Stephen Schober, President and CEO of Metal Supermarkets. “With the ongoing need of skilled trade works across North America, it’s always encouraging to see all the people who have the skills to create amazing metalwork across Canada, the US and the UK. Congratulations to Cindy and all of this year’s winners.”

In addition to Metal Supermarkets, this year’s Metal My Way was sponsored by Haco Atlantic, Inc., Space Aid Manufacturing, Cosen Saws, and Ferric Machinery.

Winning metal projects can be viewed at metalmyway.com where further details, including sponsor information, can be found.

Photo and Video Submission Contest Showcases Talented Welders, Fabricators, Metalworkers and Artists

TORONTO – Metal Supermarkets, the world’s largest supplier of small-quantity metals, today announced the start of the 10^th annual Metal My Way competition, and is delighted to call upon metalworking enthusiasts across the globe to showcase their metallic masterpieces.

Past year’s competitions have seen over 1,000 eye-catching submissions from across North American and the United Kingdom. Projects ranged from small engine models, car restorations, commissioned art to large scale renovations and constructions projects. Past winning entries amazed the judges with innovative metalwork including a polished stainless-steel eagle, a blue heron, a Wheel of Time dagger, and other outstanding works of art.

The limited-time international photo and video submission contest runs from August 1 to August 31, 2024 and is open to both professional and amateur metalworkers. Contestants are encouraged to submit photos and videos plus details of their metal projects on metalmyway.com. Metal Supermarkets is the creator and managing sponsor of Metal My Way, along with featured sponsors Cosen Saws, Haco Atlantic, Ferric Machinery, and Space Aid Manufacturing.

“We’re pleased and excited to launch this year’s Metal My Way contest to showcase the many innovative ways metal can be used when in the hands of creative metalworking professionals and enthusiasts,” said Stephen Schober, President and CEO of Metal Supermarkets. “Metal enthusiasts from across Canada, the US and the UK are welcome to submit their creations as we celebrate the ingenuity of these talented metal workers and artists.”

The contest features one grand prize awarded to the best overall project, along with additional prizes awarded to each winner of the following categories:

• Vehicle Projects: Includes, but is not limited to, car restorations/modifications, engine work, trailer and camper builds, planes builds or restorations, boat builds or restorations, motorized scooter, bike and buggy builds, and other ‘moving’ machinery.
• Artistic and Design Projects: Includes, but not limited to, jewelry, statues, sculptures, and will also encompass other projects that have aesthetic designs that do not fall into the other categories such as musical instruments, computer cases, and more.
• Furniture & Home Projects: Includes, but is not limited to, outdoor/indoor furniture, BBQs, smokers, staircases and railings, interior and exterior home décor or renovations, fire pits, and more.
• Industrial or Shop Projects: Includes, but is not limited to, shop equipment and tool builds, larger scale construction projects or specific aspects of those projects, equipment and tool repair or modification, and more.
• Knives Projects: Includes, but not limited to, knives, swords, blades and similar items.

Grand Prize: Benchtop Band Saw

Additional Prizes: Lincoln Electric Weld Pak

In considering the entries to choose the winners, criteria will include complexity, detail and intricacy; scale; uniqueness and creativity; craftmanship; quantity of metal used; and ingenuity. Selections will be made by a committee consisting of Metal Supermarkets corporate staff. Entrants can submit multiple projects to the Metal My Way contest but are only eligible to win one prize.

The contest is open to legal residents of the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada (excluding Quebec). Entries will be accepted online starting on August 1, 2024 at 8am ET/ 5am PT and ending on August 31, 2024 at 11pm ET / 8pm PT. All online entries must be received by August 31, 2024 at 11pm ET / 8pm PT. No purchase is necessary to enter to win.

Applicants can submit photos and videos of their metal projects at metalmyway.com where further contest rules and details, including sponsor information, can be found.

World’s Largest Supplier of Small-Quantity Metals Supports Students in Essential Trades

TORONTO – Metal Supermarkets announced the kick-off of their 3^rd annual trade school scholarship program in honor of National Welding Month. Four $2,500 scholarships are to be awarded to eligible trade school students in the United States and Canada for studies in 2024.

The scholarship was established in response to the shortage of skilled trade workers across North America. For example, over 360,000 welding professionals are projected to be needed by 2026, while only 84,000 positions are expected to be filled by next year, according to American Welding Society. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that skilled trades have millions of unfilled positions. Similarly, a Canadian government report cited that over 256,000 new apprentices are also needed in the coming years to meet the 2026 demand for skilled trades workers in Canada.

A Metal Supermarkets commissioned study also indicates that young people are not aware of potentially lucrative skilled trades careers — over 62% of high school respondents said they lacked knowledge about trade school opportunities. During National Welding Month, Metal Supermarkets is raising awareness about this growing deficit of skilled trade workers by offering scholarships to next generation of trade industry workers.

Metal Supermarkets is providing trade school students with financial support in the form of a scholarship to help continue their education and grow their knowledge in their chosen field. This valuable financial aid is offered in response to the desperate need for skilled trade careers, and to combat the nationwide shortage of skilled trade workers.

“With the third year of our scholarship, we are striving to continue to support students who are pursuing careers in the valuable trade industries,” said Stephen Schober, President and CEO of Metal Supermarkets. “We are also pleased to see more diversity in the traditionally male-dominated trades, as over 35% of our past scholarship winners are female. Yet there is still a growing need for these essential skilled trade workers, and Metal Supermarkets remains committed to fostering awareness of trade industry careers for young people.”

To qualify for the scholarship, students must be accepted to and currently attending a post-secondary trade school program with a semester beginning in 2024 and must be enrolled in the upcoming semester. The scholarship is open to citizens, permanent residents and resident aliens legally residing in the United States or Canada with a High School Diploma, GED or equivalent.

Scholarship applications can be submitted online at https://www.metalsupermarkets.com/trade-school-scholarship/ now through June 28, 2024. Metal Supermarkets will contact each winner by email and phone by July 31, 2024 using the contact information provided by the entrant during the application process.