I started with a sheet of 18-gauge sheet metal which in retrospect turned out to be too thick to work with easily. I bent the sheet and drilled the holes myself on the kitchen table, but I enlisted the help of an auto body repair place for cutting the sheet metal and welding the sides. The end result is far from perfect, but I have decided to embrace the rustic steam punk aesthetic by clear coating it instead of trying to hide the flaws with paint.