Basic differences between common plastics
A beginner-friendly overview of common plastics found in small DIY tasks.
Materials & Know-How
Plastic & Metal Basics
Beginner-friendly guidance on working with plastic and metal in small home and workshop projects.
What you’ll learn
These pages explain choice, properties, limitations, terminology and safety checks before you use a material, fixing or method in a practical job.
Guides
View all guidesBasic metal types for small DIY jobs
How aluminium, steel and other common metals differ in small projects.
Drilling plastic and metal: beginner precautions
Basic precautions for drilling plastic and metal without overheating or grabbing.
Sharp edges, burrs and simple deburring
How burrs form and why sharp edges should be removed carefully.
Why some plastics crack when drilled
Why brittle plastic can crack and how to reduce the risk in simple jobs.
Glossary
View glossary
ABS
A tough impact-resistant plastic used in housings, fittings, and 3D printing filament.
Acrylic
A clear plastic sheet material that can crack if drilled poorly.
Aluminium
A lightweight metal often used in trim, sheet and small extrusions.
Burr
A sharp raised edge left after cutting or drilling.
Corrosion
Material deterioration caused by reaction with the environment, often seen as rust on steel.
Deburring
Removing sharp burrs from a cut or drilled edge.
PVC
A plastic used in many pipes, trims and flexible or rigid products.
Steel
A strong iron-based metal used in many fixings, brackets and tools.
Common mistakes
- Assuming one material or fixing is always best.
- Ignoring surface condition, age, moisture, heat or movement.
- Guessing strength or load capacity instead of checking the exact product and situation.