Metalwork Mishaps? Survive PZ With These Welding Hacks
Metal sheets, propane flames, and zombie brains โ welcome to Metalworking in Project Zomboid! Whether you're barricading windows with scrap in Build 41 or forging a makeshift machete in Build 42, this toolbox-style guide has you covered. We'll break down how to find essential tools, level up fast, and avoid the common pitfalls that make new survivors scream "Metalworking is useless!" (spoiler: it's not). Keep reading for tips that turn you from apprentice to apocalypse blacksmith.
Jump to Quick-Start GuideThis guide covers both Build 41 (stable) and Build 42 (unstable/beta). In B42, "Metalworking" was split into two skills: Welding (for construction) and Metalworking (for forging). We'll clearly specify which build we're referring to throughout the guide.
Quick-Start: Metalworking in 60 Seconds
- Gear Up: Find a Propane Torch and Welding Mask ASAP โ check tool sheds, garages, warehouses, and auto shops. No torch = no metalworking! Grab a Propane Tank from a BBQ while you're at it (you'll need it to refill the torch).
- Read & Learn: If you didn't start as a Metalworker, hunt down "The Metalwork Magazine Vol.1." Read it to unlock basic recipes (like metal walls and containers). Bonus: read Metalworking skill books Volume 1-5 to boost XP gains.
- Build 41 Players (Welding): To level up, go dismantle junk! Use your torch+mask to disassemble lockers, metal shelves, dumpsters, etc. for scrap metal and XP. Barricade and un-barricade a window with metal sheets repeatedly for a quick XP trick. Repair car hoods and trunks for XP once you have a few levels.
- Build 42 Players (Forging): Time to play blacksmith. Craft a Stone Anvil (via Masonry skill) and build a Primitive Furnace (for smelting) and Primitive Forge (for smithing). Start forging easy items: turn scrap metal into iron knives, spoons, and nails to get from level 0 to 1.
- Grind Smart: Once you unlock them, forge dozens of metal buckles (uses little material, great XP). In B42 you can also melt down and reuse your practice items, so nothing's wasted. In B41, keep dismantling and start building metal fences or crates for XP.
- Use That Skill: At Metalworking level 3+, you can build metal wall frames and window bars โ stronger than wood and let you see outside. Also use your skill to repair vehicle parts (fix that beat-up hood!) and craft big 80-capacity metal crates for storage. Congratulations โ you're becoming the resident metalhead of the apocalypse!
Table of Contents
I. Why Metalworking Matters
Why It Feels Useless (and Why It Isn't!)
So you've barricaded your base with wood and wonder, "Why bother with metal?" You're not alone โ many survivors skip Metalworking initially. After all, wooden walls are easier, nails are everywhere, and who has time to hunt for a welding mask while zombies snack on your neighbors?
In Build 41, players often complained that metalworking felt underpowered compared to carpentry. Building a metal wall took scarce propane and materials, yet seemed to only add ~50% more HP than a wood wall. On the surface, base defense gains are modest โ a level 2 metal wall has about 370 HP vs ~250 for a level 2 wooden wall.
So, is it pointless? Not at all! Here's what metal brings to the table:
- Strength: Metal walls and fences withstand more punishment. A fully upgraded metal wall can surpass a max carpentry wall in durability.
- Visibility & Aesthetics: Metal bar barricades let you see out while keeping zombies out. Chain-link fences also provide visibility that wooden walls don't.
- Unique Craftables: With Metalworking you unlock lockers, metal crates, cabinets that hold more loot, metal barrels for rain collection, and more.
- Vehicle Repairs: This is big โ with some metal sheets and a torch, you can repair car hoods, trunks, doors, and even gas tanks. High Welding skill lets you restore more condition.
In short, metalworking isn't useless โ but it starts slow and requires investment. Early on, you might feel it's more trouble than it's worth (hence the complaints). Stick with us; we'll make that journey easier.
Build 41 vs Build 42: Wait, What Do You Mean "Welding" Skill?
Build 42 split the Metalworking skill into two parts:
This is essentially the old metalworking skill from B41. It governs using propane torches to barricade windows, build metal structures, and repair cars.
The Metalworking skill in B42 is entirely new and refers to blacksmithing or forging. You gain XP by using a forge/anvil to craft items from raw metal.
In other words, "Metalworking" in B41 = "Welding" in B42. Confusing? Absolutely, at first. Just remember:
- If you're on Build 41: You have one skill called Metalworking โ it covers all metal-related crafting using the propane torch.
- If you're on Build 42: You have Welding (for torch-based building) and Metalworking (for forge-based smithing).
VHS tapes and TV shows labeled "Metalworking" in Build 41 will give XP to Welding in Build 42. So don't panic if your Metalworking skill isn't moving when watching "Woodcraft Ep.9: Metal Framing" โ check your Welding XP bar!
Metal vs Wood Comparison
The Tools You Need: "I Can't Find a $#@! Propane Torch!"
Let's address the early-game headache: finding the darn tools. Metalworking is gated behind specific equipment โ no saw or hammer will do. You'll need:
Propane Torch (Welding Torch)
The single most important item. Without a torch, you can't disassemble or build any metal objects.
Where to find: Industrial crates, warehouses, garage storage, tool sheds, and auto mechanic shops.
Pro Tip: Starting with Build 41.78, refueling a torch uses only 1/16 of a propane tank, so one tank goes a long way now.
Welding Mask
Absolutely required to do any metalworking action โ the game won't even let you weld without eye protection.
Where to find: Same places as torches. Also sometimes in industrial lockers or on metalworker zombies.
Pro Tip: Always wear the mask when welding, or you'll be "blinded" (game simulates you can't weld because you'd fry your eyeballs).
Metalworking Magazine(s)
In vanilla, there are 4 "Metalwork Magazine" issues (Vol.1 through Vol.4). Each teaches you a set of recipes.
Where to find: Libraries, bookstores, or magazine racks.
Pro Tip: If you chose the Metalworker occupation, you already know all these recipes!
If you're unlucky and can't find a torch or mask in your spawn town, consider a loot run to a known tool-rich location (the large warehouses in Muldraugh or Louisville, or the auto shop in West Point). Also, check inside car trunks at mechanics shops!
II. Advanced Metalworking
Welcome to Build 42's crafting overhaul โ it's not just "welding some bars" anymore, it's full-on blacksmithing. This part of the guide is for when you've mastered the basics and are ready to heat things up (literally).
From Torch to Forge: How to Become a Blacksmith in B42
So you've opted into the future and find yourself staring at a skill called "Metalworking" that won't budge. Time to embrace your inner medieval blacksmith. In Build 42, forging is a multi-step process:
1 Secure a Base and Gather Basics
You'll need a safe place to set up heavy crafting stations. Preferably somewhere semi-permanent โ forging isn't exactly mobile. Gather basic tools: a hammer (for building), a shovel (for clay and sand), buckets, etc.
2 Get into Masonry (yes, really)
Blacksmithing in B42 is intertwined with other crafting skills. Notably, Masonry โ the skill for working with stone and concrete. Why? Because to build a simple forge you need a Stone Anvil, and you craft that via Masonry.
3 Craft a Stone Anvil
With Masonry level 1 or 2, you can create a Stone Anvil out of a Large Rock (or mine some stone). This is basically a big slab of rock to hammer on โ not as good as a proper iron anvil, but it'll do to start forging.
4 Build a Primitive Furnace
The furnace is where you smelt metal objects down into iron bits or ingots. To craft one, you typically need bricks or a metal drum, some clay, maybe a carved wooden bucket and a pipe for a chimney. Gather Clay (dig river banks or find sacks in warehouses), and Cement or Rocks for a sturdy structure.
5 Build the Forge
The simplest forge typically requires: your Stone Anvil (set as a component), some sort of enclosure (stone or brick), and a heat source (charcoal or coal as fuel, plus a way to pump air like bellows but primitive for first tier).
6 Fuel and Fire
Acquire or craft Charcoal โ lots of it. A primitive furnace and forge run on charcoal (wood logs are inefficient and can't reach required heat). You can burn logs in a dug pit or a metal barrel to make charcoal.
Congratulations! You've essentially recreated an 1850s blacksmith workshop amid the zombie apocalypse. Give yourself a pat on the back (but maybe wait for the fire to die down).
B42 Forge Setup
Materials Needed:
- Stone Anvil (via Masonry)
- Clay (dig near rivers)
- Rocks/Stone
- Metal Pipe
- Charcoal (for fuel)
- Hammer
- Shovel
Overcoming Bottlenecks: The Great Tongs Fiasco and Missing Recipes
Build 42's crafting is awesome but also in development, which means it has some rough edges. Let's talk about the big one: the Tongs Bottleneck
As you progress, many forge recipes will require Tongs โ a tool to hold hot metal. You can't very well pick up a molten ingot with your bare hands, right?
To get metal tongs, you need to craft them via a recipe on the forge. But players discovered that to craft tongs you first need a special tool called a "Heading Tool" and Metalworking skill 3.
Early B42 adopters got clever. One found that you can use Wooden Tongs (primitive tongs) as a temporary measure. How to get wooden tongs? Through the Carving skill (whittle a branch, etc.).
If you're playing unstable B42 and find yourself stuck: check the patch notes or community forums. As of Build 42.3, the Heading Tool recipe is automatically learned at Metalworking lvl 3 or obtainable via "Smithing Magazine Vol.2: Blacksmith Tools" (new item). Tongs can now rarely be found in metalwork supply crates to unblock progression.
Players also noted some weapon recipes (like swords, maces) appear in magazines but not in the crafting menu yet. This likely means those items aren't fully implemented. Don't drive yourself crazy looking for how to craft a katana โ if it's not showing even after reading the magazine, it's probably coming in a later patch.
Leveling Metalworking (Forging) Fast: Spoons, Buckles, and Needles โ Oh My!
Grinding up the Metalworking (forge) skill can feel like learning a new game. It's reminiscent of starting carpentry at level 0 with only sticks to whittle. But fear not, there are efficient ways to level up:
Read the Smithing Magazines ASAP
These teach recipes for low-level items like spoons and knives, which you absolutely need. One player lamented half the people "aren't aware of the changes" and were trying to grind without the new recipes.
Spam Spoons at Level 0-1
It's become a running joke that the path to master blacksmith starts with an army of spoons. Forging 2 spoons gives ~4.88 XP. With a x3 skill book multiplier, that's ~15 XP per two spoons.
Level 1-2: Move to Knives or Nails
At lvl 1, you might unlock recipes for a basic Iron Knife or nails. Forging nails is decent โ you usually make several nails per craft, giving a bit of XP and extremely practical for carpentry.
The Ultimate Leveling Strategy
Remember to recycle your practice items! In B42, you can melt down unwanted crafted items and reuse the metal.
One player on Reddit claimed: "forging needles is easy, cheap, and the materials are easy to obtain โ dismantle cars for wire and you can easily get to level ten in a week." Metal Needles (for sewing) are apparently an XP goldmine!
XP Values for Forged Items
III. Tools, Traits & Tips
Key Tools & Workstations (Don't Leave Home Without These)
Metalworking has a somewhat hefty upfront cost in tools. Here's your complete Metalworking shopping list:
| Tool / Item | Purpose | Where to Find / How to Get |
|---|---|---|
| Propane Torch | Your all-in-one metal cutter & welder. Required for disassembling metal objects, welding barricades, etc. | Spawn in tool crates, warehouses, mechanic shops, garages. |
| Welding Mask | Protective gear that must be worn to use the torch. No mask, no welding. | Same places as torches. Also sometimes in industrial lockers or on metalworker zombies. |
| Anvil (Stone or Iron) | Workstation for forging. Allows heavy smithing tasks on its surface. | Stone Anvil: Craft via Masonry. Iron Anvil: Rare loot in warehouses, farms, tool shops. |
| Tongs (Metal or Wood) | Handling hot materials. Required for certain forge recipes. | Wooden Tongs: Craft via Carpentry/Carving. Iron Tongs: Crafted at forge (needs Metalworking ~3). |
| Bellows (optional) | Increases forge heat quickly by blowing air. | Craft from leather + planks + pipe (if recipe available). |
| Charcoal (fuel) | Fuel for furnace/forge. Burns hot and steady, ideal for smelting. | Burn wood in a controlled environment: use a Metal Drum or dig a pit. |
| Workbenches & Other | Support tools: Carpentry Workbench, Pottery Wheel & Kiln, Grindstone. | Workbench: Build with Carpentry. Pottery Wheel/Kiln: via Pottery skill. |
That's a lot of kit! But you don't need ALL of it at once. Early on, focus on torch, mask, and some fuel. Mid-game, as you venture into forging, work on anvil, furnace, forge and at least wooden tongs.
Knowledge is Power: Skill Books and Magazines
Let's double down on the importance of literature. In Project Zomboid, if you want to excel in metalworking, you must crack open some books and magazines:
Metalworking Skill Books (Vol.1 โ Vol.5)
These are the standard XP multipliers. Reading Metalworking for Beginners, Intermediate, etc., gives you 3x XP, 5x XP, etc., within certain level ranges. The catch: in Build 42, remember that what was "Metalworking" skill books now effectively apply to Welding skill (since Welding is the continuation of old metalwork). Given the grindy nature, never do extensive metalwork without the applicable XP boost if you can help it.
Metalwork Magazines (Vol.1 โ 4)
These unlock recipes for "modern" metalworking (Welding). Quick summary of each:
Teaches Metal Wall Frame, Metal Wall, Metal Roof, and Metal Crate.
Teaches Metal Door Frames, Doors, Barred Fence, Metal Counter, etc.
Teaches Big Gate, Garage Doors, Metal Stairs, etc.
Teaches metal barrels, fishing traps, and ammo components.
If you find these magazines, store them safely until read. Without them, your high skill means nothing for building โ you'll stare at the build menu and see greyed-out options.
Smithing Magazines (Build 42)
The new kid on the block. These cover recipes for forging. For instance:
- A magazine might unlock Cutlery and Utensils (spoon, fork, cooking pot lid).
- Another might unlock Weapon Heads (spear head, arrowheads, blade).
- Another could have Toolmaking (hammer head, shovel head, nails).
- Yet another might cover Armor (plate pieces, helmet shell).
TV Shows and VHS
The "Life and Living" TV channel in the first week has an episode that covers metalworking (in B41, Day 6). Watching it gives a free boost of XP (under Welding skill in B42). Also, VHS tapes like "Metalwork Vol. 1" can be found and watched for XP and sometimes recipes.
Summary: Devour knowledge like a zombie devours brains. It will save you hours of grind. If you're bored on a rainy in-game day, do a reading marathon.
Best Traits for Metalworking
FAQ: Frequently Asked (Zombie) Questions about Metalworking
Wrap-Up: From Zero to Hero (of Scrap)
By now, you've gone from a confused survivor holding a propane torch backwards (please don't do that) to a competent welder and maybe even a budding blacksmith. We covered a lot, so let's recap the one-sentence action plan: Grab your welding gear, start small by disassembling and forging simple stuff, read every book you find, and steadily build your metal empire โ one spoon (and zombie-proof wall) at a time.
Metalworking in Project Zomboid isn't the easiest skill, but it can be one of the most rewarding. Whether you're reinforcing a safehouse in West Point or assembling a makeshift forge in the woods, I hope this guide gave you the tools (and laughs) to make the most of metalworking.
Happy forging, stay safe, and remember: if it moves, and it shouldn't โ weld it. Cheers! ๐ง๐ฅ
Metalworking Patch History
| Build / Patch | Date | Changes to Metalworking/Welding |
|---|---|---|
| Build 41.50+ (various) | 2021-2022 | Metalworking skill introduced with ability to craft metal structures. Later patches added missing recipes like Metal Gates and adjusted wall durability. |
| Build 41.78 (Stable) | Nov 9, 2022 | Propane torch refuel changed: now uses only 1/16 of a propane tank per refill, allowing extended use of one tank. |
| Build 42.0 (Unstable) | ~Nov 2023 | Massive Crafting Overhaul: Metalworking skill renamed to Welding. New Metalworking (Blacksmithing) skill activated for forge crafting. |
| Build 42.1 & 42.2 | Dec 2024 โ Jan 27, 2025 | Added missing craft recipes. Tweaked loot: added chance for a "Metalworking van" vehicle. Balance: Increased XP from forging some small items. |
| Build 42.3 (Unstable) | Feb 2025 | Allowed foraging for clay deposits. Fixed the Heading Tool recipe โ now automatically learned at Metalworking lvl 3. |
| Build 42.4 โ 42.7 | MarโApr 2025 (ongoing) | Increased durability of crafted metal tools. Added ability to melt small metal items in batches. Major balance pass โ forging now yields more XP overall. |
Last updated: July 2025 โข Project Zomboid is the property of The Indie Stone
Information sourced from in-game testing, official patch notes, and the PZ community