Metalworking in Project Zomboid: Tips and Tricks
The Metalworker's Toolbox: Surviving Project Zomboid B41 & B42 with Welding and Wit
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 the Quick-Start if you're itching to get welding right away.
This guide covers both versions. In Build 41, everything falls under the "Metalworking" skill. In Build 42, the skill was split: "Welding" (for construction) and "Metalworking" (for blacksmithing/forging). We'll clearly mark which version we're discussing throughout.
Quick-Start: Metalworking in 60 Seconds (For the Impatient) ๐
- 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!
(Need more details? Don't worry โ we're about to dive into all of this with a gamer-to-gamer wink and plenty of pro tips.)
I. Why Metalworking 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? Let's address the pain points upfront and show why metalworking is worth your time.
Metalworking vs. Carpentry vs. "Just Hide in a Bush"
| Skill | Base Defense | Unique Benefits | Downsides |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carpentry | ~250 HP for Level 2 wall | Easy to find materials, low skill entry | Weaker than metal, can't see through |
| Metalworking/Welding | ~370 HP for Level 2 wall | Bar options for visibility, vehicle repair | Requires propane & special tools |
| "Just Hide" | 0 HP (you're dead) | No resources needed! | Zombies eat you. Bad plan. |
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. And if you're role-playing a shabby woodland fort, metal sheets can lookโฆ well, like a patched-up junkyard.
So, is it pointless? Not at all! Here's what metal brings to the table:
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Strength: Metal walls and fences withstand more punishment. They won't crumble from a few zombie slaps, especially if you upgrade them. In fact, a fully upgraded metal wall can surpass a max carpentry wall in durability. Every bit of HP counts in a last-stand scenario.
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Visibility & Aesthetics: Ever try to see through a window barricaded with planks? Nope. But metal bar barricades let you see out while keeping zombies out. Chain-link fences (buildable at higher levels) also provide visibility that wooden walls don't. Plus, maybe you like that "Mad Max" vibe of sheet metal panels โ it's a look!
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Unique Craftables: With Metalworking you unlock lockers, metal crates, cabinets that hold more loot, metal barrels for rain collection, and other structures carpentry can't do. Variety is the spice of (un)life.
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Vehicle Repairs: This is big โ with some metal sheets and a torch, you can repair car hoods, trunks, doors, and even gas tanks (at least partially). High Welding skill lets you restore more condition. Keeping your ride running in Zomboid is huge, and carpentry sure can't fix your engine block.
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?
- Single skill covers all metal construction
- Dismantle metal objects for XP
- Build metal walls, barricades, & containers
- Repair vehicle parts with metal sheets
- Read "Metalwork Magazine Vol.1-4" for recipes
- Welding: The old metalworking - construction with torch
- Metalworking: New forging/blacksmithing skill
- Need forge, furnace & anvil to level Metalworking
- Craft tools, weapons & armor at a forge
- Smelt scrap into usable metal with a furnace
- New smithing magazines for forging recipes
VHS tapes and TV shows labeled "Metalworking" in Build 41 will give XP to Welding in Build 42 (the devs changed the skill name, but old media still refers to it). So don't panic if your Metalworking skill isn't moving when watching "Woodcraft Ep.9: Metal Framing" โ check your Welding XP bar!
The Tools You Need: "I Can't Find a $#@! Propane Torch!"
Propane Torch
Essential for: All metalworking in B41, all welding in B42.
Where to find: Tool crates, warehouses, mechanic shops, hardware stores, garage storage, tool sheds.
Welding Mask
Must wear to weld: Game won't let you use the torch without eye protection.
Where to find: Same places as torches, industrial lockers, sometimes on mechanic zombies.
Magazines & Books
Required for recipes: "Metalwork Magazine Vol.1-4" unlocks construction recipes.
Where to find: Bookstores, libraries, school libraries, sometimes in house shelves.
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 LV, or the auto shop in West Point). Also, check inside car trunks at mechanics shops โ sometimes there's a mask or torch there. And remember, Garage Sales (the garages of residential houses) are treasure troves for tools. Hit the suburbs and pry open some garage doors โ you might hit the jackpot.
"I've Got the Torch and Maskโฆ Now What?" (Metalworking 101 for Build 41)
Dismantle ALL the Things
Think of the world as one big scrapyard. Nearly everything metal can be dismantled (if you have a torch, mask, and sometimes a screwdriver). The game's right-click menu will show "Disassemble" on items like lockers, metal shelves, chairs, beds, dumpsters, road signs, etc.
Each disassembly gives only a few XP (5-10 ish base, more if you read skill books). It's a grind, but doable. One efficient method: barricade windows with metal sheets, then remove them, then barricade again. This yields about 1.5 XP per action (more with multipliers), and you don't consume the sheet (just propane).
Why Level Metalworking at All? (Build 41 Perspective)
If you're still on the fence (pun intended) about grinding this skill in Build 41, here's the payoff:
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At level 2 you can repair car hoods and trunks to about 15% (with small metal sheets). At level 3, 4, 5 you can repair more % and more parts (doors, gas tank) โ very handy if you plan to road-warrior around Knox County.
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At level 3 you can start building Metal Walls (if you read the mag). A metal wall Level 1 is already sturdier than a wood wall Level 2. If you care about zombie-proofing a base, metal walls shine especially if your carpentry is low โ you can mix metal walls atop wood frames built by a friend or by yourself.
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You can craft Metal Crates at level 3-4 (Mag Vol.2 needed). These hold 80 weight each, and you can stack them 3 high (240 capacity stack!) โ hoarders rejoice. Wood crates only hold 50 and can't reach that combined capacity. For huge storage rooms, metal crates are king.
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Metalworking lets you use all that useless scrap metal and broken CD players (dismantle electronics for scrap). It feels good to recycle. And in Build 42, it will be even more critical for advanced crafting (see Blacksmithing section next).
Finally, metalworking is a late-game skill. If you're in it for the long haul (think hundreds of days survival), you'll eventually have more propane and metal than you know what to do with. Leveling it opens up end-game content like metal gates (driveway gates for vehicle security), reinforced structures, and generally flexing on zombies with your fully kitted metal safehouse.
II. Embracing the Forge: Advanced Metalworking in Build 42
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). We'll walk through setting up a forge, dealing with some of B42's quirks (oh hello, elusive tongs recipe), and optimizing your smithing grind with minimal frustration.
From Torch to Forge: How to Become a Blacksmith in B42
Building Your Smithy: Step by Step
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. You'll also want the Metalworking skill books (to speed XP) and any "Smithing" magazines you can find (they have recipes for things like arrowheads, blades, etc.).
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. If you haven't already, find "Masonry for Beginners" and read it, then start leveling Masonry by making stone blocks or a small furnace.
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 if that's available). 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. If by some miracle you found a Blacksmith's Anvil item in the world (rare spawn in industrial sheds), you can use that instead.
Build a Primitive Furnace
The furnace is where you smelt metal objects down into iron bits or ingots. Think of it as a big clay oven. To craft one, you typically need bricks or a metal drum, some clay, maybe a carved wooden bucket and a pipe for a chimney. In general, gather Clay (dig river banks or find sacks in warehouses), and Cement or Rocks for a sturdy structure.
Build the Forge
Now the main event โ the Forge. The simplest forge (often called "Primitive Forge" or just 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).
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. Or, build a Charcoal Kiln (essentially a barrel or clay kiln) for steady production.
Once you have these pieces: a furnace, a forge, anvil installed, fuel, and of course your trusty hammer and tongs (more on tongs soon), you're ready to forge metal. 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).
Blacksmithing 101: Turning Junk Metal into Useful Metal
Using your new setup goes roughly like this:
Smelt in Furnace
Take some metal item you don't need โ say a crowbar, pipe, or a bunch of scrap metal โ and put it into the Furnace. Light the furnace (with a lighter or match, and fuel inside). It will consume charcoal to reach smelting temperature. After a while, the item will convert into Iron Ingots or Iron Chunks (depending on the item and your molds).
Forge into Product
Now take those iron pieces and use the Forge (the anvil interface) to craft something. Open the crafting menu, find the Metalworking/Blacksmithing category. Early on, the recipes you likely have (from "Smithing Magazines" or default) include Iron Knife, Iron Spike, Spoon, Fork, Nails, etc. At Metalworking level 0 and 1, options are limited โ basically crude utensils and maybe arrowheads.
In Build 42, disassembling metal objects does NOT give Metalworking (forging) XP โ that goes to Welding. So if you want to raise Metalworking, you must actually smith things. (Watching those VHS tapes labeled "Blacksmith" helps too, if you find them).
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 (a saga in three parts):
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? In-game, tongs are needed for more advanced smithing (and possibly give a time bonus for simpler tasks).
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" (used to shape the tongs' head) and Metalworking skill 3. The kicker: the heading tool recipe wasn't learned by default even after reaching the required skill, and was extremely hard to find (some speculated it's in a magazine that's super rare or not spawning).
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.). They might break quickly, but they can handle some light forge work. Another workaround: some vice-grip pliers (if such exist as loot, not 100% sure in vanilla) could substitute early on.
Other Missing Recipes:
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. In the meantime, stick to what works: knives, arrowheads, spears, tools like hoes or shovels if available, nails, etc.
(Humorously, our survivors in Kentucky have reinvented complex metallurgy, but nobody left a simple diagram on how to make pliers. Go figure.)
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 without burning a hole (in your character's foot or your patience).
Multiple guides and players agree that once you hit level 4, the best item to mass-produce is Steel Buckles. Each buckle uses just one small piece of steel (which you can get by smelting down something like a shovel or certain junk) and gives solid XP. 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 Masters: Making the Most of High Metalworking Skill
Building a Fort Knox (literally)
With high Welding skill (former metalworking), you can build a base that's nearly impenetrable. Metal walls Level 2 (requires Welding skill ~8 to upgrade) have tremendous durability โ some tests showed a fully maxed metal wall is stronger than a level 9 carpentry wall until extremely high carpentry levels.
Vehicle Restoration
At Welding level 5+, you become the ultimate mechanic's sidekick. You can take a junkyard wreck with 0% hood and, after some TLC with sheet metal, bring that hood's condition up significantly. This means vehicles that would otherwise be write-offs (where engine gets damage due to no hood) can be salvaged.
Crafting Weapons and Armor
Build 42's forging skill shines here. At higher Metalworking levels and with the right recipes, you can craft things like machete blades, sword blades, arrowheads, and metal armor pieces (like plate armor). Imagine having a renewable source of machetes โ one of the best melee weapons โ even if distribution spawns dry up.
III. Tools, Traits, and Tips: The Metalworker's Toolbox
Now that we've covered what you'll be doing, let's ensure you've got the right tools and knowledge to do it. Consider this section the inventory management of our guide โ we'll lay out all the gear, books, and character builds that synergize with metalworking. Plus some miscellaneous tips to keep your metalworking life smooth (and maybe even easy).
Key Tools & Workstations (Don't Leave Home Without These)
| Tool / Item | Purpose | Where to Find / How to Get |
|---|---|---|
| Propane Torch (aka Welding Torch) |
Your all-in-one metal cutter & welder. Required for disassembling metal objects, welding barricades, constructing metal structures, and car repairs. Fuel: Propane (refill with propane tanks). | Spawn in tool crates, warehouses, mechanic shops, garages. Often found alongside a mask. Check hardware stores and shed shelves. Take empty ones too โ you can refill them. |
| Welding Mask | Protective gear that must be worn to use the torch. Prevents "arc eye" (in real life) โ in-game it simply is a required item. No mask, no welding. Also provides some face defense. | Same places as torches. Also sometimes in industrial lockers or on metalworker zombies. If desperate, the CDDA zombie sometimes wears one. Keep an extra if playing MP (so your buddy can help weld). |
| Anvil (Stone or Iron) |
Workstation for forging. Allows heavy smithing tasks on its surface. The Stone Anvil is used to build the primitive forge; a proper Iron Anvil is needed for advanced forge (higher-tier crafting). | Stone Anvil: Craft via Masonry (need large stones). Iron Anvil: Rare loot in warehouses, farms, tool shops. If extremely lucky, find in a blacksmith's storage shed. Cannot be moved if it's a world object (needs to be looted as item). |
| Tongs (Metal or Wood) |
Handling hot materials. Required for certain forge recipes (anything involving moving molten metal). Using tongs speeds up smithing and keeps your fingers attached. | Wooden Tongs: Craft via Carpentry/Carving (small wooden tool โ available early, but breaks often). Iron Tongs: Crafted at forge (needs Metalworking ~3 and heading tool โ see bottleneck discussion). Very rarely found in metalworking kits or modded maps. |
| Bellows (optional) |
Increases forge heat quickly by blowing air. Not strictly required for primitive forge (you can reach needed heat with enough fuel), but needed for advanced forges to attain steel-making temperatures. | Craft from leather + planks + pipe (if recipe available). Sometimes found in industrial loot (maybe in future builds). If you can't get one, just use extra charcoal โ primitive methods work, just slower. |
| Charcoal (fuel) |
Fuel for furnace/forge. Wood logs/planks turned into charcoal burn hot and steady, ideal for smelting and smithing. (Propane torch doesn't use this; charcoal is for forge stations.) | Burn wood in a controlled environment: use a Metal Drum or dig a pit. Load with 5-10 logs or 20 planks, light it, then cover (if drum) or let it burn down fully โ yields a pile of charcoal. You can also find charcoal in sheds or by dismantling bags of BBQ charcoal. |
| Workbenches & Other | Support tools: Though not specific to metalworking, you'll want a Carpentry Workbench (to craft molds, frames), a Pottery Wheel & Kiln (to make a Crucible, which holds molten metal for casting), and a Grindstone/Grinding Wheel (to sharpen forged blades). These all enhance your crafting loop. | Workbench: Build with Carpentry (planks, nails). Pottery Wheel/Kiln: via Pottery skill (clay + nails + maybe a motor for wheel). Grindstone: can be crafted (stone + pole) or found rarely. Each of these requires its own skill/books, showing how interconnected B42 crafts are. |
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. The rest (bellows, grindstone, etc.) are nice-to-haves that make you more efficient or open advanced options.
Knowledge is Power: Skill Books and Magazines
These give XP multipliers when read:
- Metalworking for Beginners - 3ร XP for levels 0-1
- Intermediate Metalworking - 5ร XP for levels 2-3
- Advanced Metalworking - 8ร XP for levels 4-5
- Expert Metalworking - 12ร XP for levels 6-7
- Master Metalworking - 16ร XP for levels 8-9
Note: In B42, these apply to the Welding skill. Forging may have separate books.
These unlock recipes (essential):
- Vol.1: Metal Wall Frame, Wall, Roof, Crate
- Vol.2: Door Frames, Doors, Barred Fence
- Vol.3: Big Gate, Garage Doors, Stairs
- Vol.4: Barrels, Traps, Advanced Items
New magazines for forging:
- Basic Smithing: Cutlery and Utensils
- Smithing Vol.1: Weapon Heads, Arrowheads
- Smithing Vol.2: Blacksmith Tools (inc. Heading Tool)
- Smithing Vol.3: Armor Pieces and Plates
Don't forget about 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. VHS tapes like "Metalwork Vol. 1" can be found and watched for XP and sometimes recipes. Free experience while you sit on a couch beats risking your neck dismantling a dumpster in downtown West Point.
Best Character Builds & Traits for Aspiring Metalworkers
- +3 Metalworking skill
- All metalworking recipes unlocked
- May spawn with torch + mask
Best for: Fast-tracking metal construction and vehicle repairs
- +2 Metalworking (forging)
- +1 Maintenance
- Basic smithing recipes unlocked
Best for: Becoming an early forge master in B42
- +3 Mechanics skill
- Vehicle expert
- Synergizes well with metalworking for repairs
Best for: Vehicle-focused players who want metal repairs
Recommended Traits
30% XP boost to all skills. Stacks with skill books for extremely fast leveling.
+1 Carpentry, +1 Maintenance, and 10% construction efficiency boost.
30% increased container capacity. Helps carry more metal scrap and tools.
Transfer items faster. Useful when moving heavy metal sheets and ingots.
Traits to Avoid:
- Clumsy: Makes extra noise, dangerous when welding
- Very Underweight/Weak: Metal items are heavy, low carrying capacity will slow you down
- All Thumbs: Slows down crafting, which is already time-consuming with metalworking
Metalworking & Friends: Multi-skill Synergy
Carpentry
Provides frames and infrastructure for metalworking. You'll need workbenches, wooden frames, and storage created via carpentry.
Mechanics
Paired with welding for vehicle repair. Mechanics install/remove parts while metalworking repairs damaged components.
Electrical
Metal provides protection for generators and components. Future content may allow advanced electronics using metal components.
Masonry
Required for B42 forging setup. Create stone anvils, furnace structures and forge bases with masonry skill.
Tailoring
Combines with metalworking for armor. Attach metal plates to clothing for protection in B42.
Pottery
Provides crucibles and molds for metalworking in B42. Essential for casting ingots and specialized shapes.
In summary, metalworking in Build 42 turned Project Zomboid into a bit of a Crafting RPG. You start as perhaps one specialization, but you'll end up branching into others. Don't be afraid to spend some time leveling those secondary skills โ it actually breaks up the monotony.
Odds and Ends: Miscellaneous Tips for the Budding Metalworker
Noise and Light Management
Welding and smithing create noise and light. In Build 41, welding a metal wall or dismantling something makes a tink tink noise โ not super loud, but audible to nearby zeds (within maybe 10-20 tiles). In Build 42, using a forge might actually create a light glow visible at night. Always keep doors closed, and maybe forge in an inner room or basement if you have the luxury. Alternatively, do loud crafting during daytime when any roaming zombies are already active.
Weight & Storage
Metal stuff is heavy. Use a car or wheelbarrow to move scrap in bulk. Keep a propane tank near areas you use often. The furnace and forge when built are static objects โ choose their location wisely because you can't move them easily. An ideal location is indoors or under a roof, to keep rain off (rain can cool a furnace or could extinguish a charcoal fire if it's really exposed).
Propane Tank Refill Efficiency
After Build 41.78, one propane tank can refill a torch 16 times. So you don't need a hundred BBQs. Two or three propane tanks will serve you a long time. You can also refill metalworking propane torches from large propane tanks (the kind at gas stations or outside some buildings) if you have a generator to power the pump โ though in vanilla you cannot take fuel out of those tanks, they are static.
Safety First
Try not to weld or forge when exhausted or hungry. The game can fail actions if you're extremely tired or panicked. Worst case, you could get scratched if a zombie sneaks up because you were too focused on your work. Schedule your metalworking sessions like you would a loot run: make sure you're in decent shape, the area is secure, and you have enough daylight.
Multiplayer Coordination
If playing MP, coordinate with your team. Maybe you focus on metalworking while another player focuses on masonry or pottery so they can feed you bricks and you feed them nails. Trade skill books around. One person with high metalworking can rapidly repair all the group's car parts in one go (line the cars up and do a welding "clinic").
Maintenance and Tool Durability
As you use your propane torch to dismantle, its condition will degrade (separate from fuel). Same for your hammer when forging. Maintenance skill comes into play โ higher maintenance reduces chance of tool losing condition per use. Keep a few spare propane torches or repair them with duct tape or another torch (yes, you can "Repair" a propane torch by cannibalizing another one in some versions).
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. I still remember my first long-term character, "Rusty" (appropriately named), who picked the Metalworker occupation. Day 1, Rusty torched a locker and nearly set off the fire alarm โ whoops. Day 100, he had built a gleaming corrugated fortress around the Rosewood fire station, complete with metal fences and a garage door made from scratch. We'd lure hordes to it just to listen to the clang clang as they futilely banged on those metal panels. Rusty ended up surviving 13 months, largely because his base was an iron bastion (and maybe because he had an escape ropeโฆ always have a backup!).
So, 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. Now get out there and show the zombie apocalypse that welders and blacksmiths don't go down without a red-hot fight.
Happy forging, stay safe, and remember: if it moves, and it shouldn't โ weld it. Cheers! ๐ง๐ฅ
Patch History (Click to Expand)
| Build / Patch | Date | Changes to Metalworking/Welding |
|---|---|---|
| Build 41.50+ (various) |
2021-2022 | Metalworking skill introduced (Build 41 initial release) with ability to craft metal structures (walls, fences, crates). Later 41 patches added missing recipes like Metal Gates and adjusted wall durability. Metal bars on windows and sheet metal barricades became functional for base defense. Car hood/trunk repairs set to require Metalworking lvl 3 and Mechanics 2 for balance. |
| Build 41.78 (Stable) |
Nov 9, 2022 | Final Build 41 patch. Propane torch refuel changed: now uses only 1/16 of a propane tank per refill (was larger fraction before), allowing extended use of one tank. Also fixed some UI labels (e.g. "Welding Rod" references removed since propane is the consumable). Prepared codebase for skill separation (blacksmithing skill exists but unused except via debug). |
| Build 42.0 (Unstable) |
~Nov 2023 | Massive Crafting Overhaul: Metalworking skill renamed to Welding for all construction and disassembly tasks. New Metalworking (Blacksmithing) skill activated for forge crafting. Added craftable stations: Stone Anvil, Primitive Furnace, Primitive Forge. Dozens of new metal items (ingots, iron tools, weapon parts). Many recipes gated behind new magazines. Known issues: Heading Tool and Tongs recipes missing or not unlocking properly (reported in 42.0.1) โ making high-level forging difficult. |
| Build 42.1 & 42.2 (Unstable) |
Dec 2024 โ Jan 27, 2025 | Fixes & Content: Added missing craft recipes for certain tools โ e.g., Small File Set, Metal Punch and Chisel sets โ to alleviate forging bottlenecks. Tweaked loot: added chance for a "Metalworking van" vehicle to contain basic metalworking tools (torch, mask, etc.). Balance: Increased XP from forging some small items; slightly reduced propane usage for metal barricading to encourage Welding skill leveling. |
| Build 42.3 (Unstable) |
Feb 2025 | Quality of Life: Allowed foraging for clay deposits in river banks and creek beds (added in 42.3.1) so players in existing saves can obtain clay for furnaces. Fixed the Heading Tool recipe โ now 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. |
| Build 42.4 โ 42.7 (Unstable) |
MarโApr 2025 (ongoing) |
Ongoing Adjustments: Further increased durability of crafted metal tools and weapons (e.g., forged knives last 2x longer by 42.4). Added ability to melt small metal items (nails, hinges) in batches โ quality-of-life for mass smelting. 42.5: Introduced Metal Roof Barricade (place metal sheets on roof edges to prevent rooftop crawler zombies). 42.6: Gave Maintenance XP when using a grindstone to sharpen forged blades (encouraging cross-skill usage). |