Upcycled Metal Desk Organizer: FCAW V2

CNCROi.com has been designing and fabricating custom upcycled metal desk organizers and pen & pencil organizers for years using a variety of CNC technologies.

Each version is a new opportunity to refine processes, discover what works best, and deliver something both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

Version 2 of this upcycled metal desk organizers was approached with lessons learned from the first attempt, particularly around welding technique and surface finishing.

You can see the first version of this upcycled metal desk organizer project in the video below.

The initial version involved full welds using 718 electrodes, which turned out to be overkill. Full welds might sound robust, but tack welds, especially deep ones, provide sufficient structural integrity while also saving time and reducing heat distortion.

CNCROi.com found that the minimalist approach—when properly executed—is often the smarter route. These tack welds still hold up under use and make the project more efficient overall.

Finish testing became the focal point of this version. Sandblasting in the earlier build yielded a superb matte finish that not only looked good but also masked any surface imperfections. In contrast, this round involved sanding and other surface treatments.

Two versions of the finish were compared side by side—matte and glossy. The glossy finish might be appealing at first glance, but it reflects even the tiniest flaws.

Every weld spatter, dent, and scratch stands out like a sore thumb. On the other hand, the matte finish delivers a subdued, professional look that hides those minor imperfections beautifully.

Fingerprints also became a noticeable factor in the glossy version. It’s the difference between your desk looking sleek and modern versus smudged and greasy by noon.

For anyone actually planning to use their upcycled metal desk organizers instead of just admiring it from across the room, matte wins hands down.

Aesthetics aside, the matte surface just plays nicer with daily wear and tear. Glossy might be for showrooms, matte is for workspaces.

A critical step that can’t be overlooked is cleaning the mill scale off the metal surfaces.

For both flux-cored arc welding (FCAW) and gas metal arc welding (GMAW), a clean surface ensures better conductivity and cleaner welds. In this version, CNCROi.com opted for a sander instead of a sandblaster to prep the surfaces.

It did a great job overall, though future iterations will likely include both sanding and sandblasting to get the best results—speed from the sander, precision and consistency from the blaster.

The initial build included two rounds of sandblasting—once on individual parts, and again post-weld. That comprehensive approach eliminated spatter and created a smooth, uniform finish.

The absence of sandblasting in this second version exposed a few surprises once the paint was applied. What didn’t show during the raw metal stage became glaringly obvious under a coat of glossy paint, including small bits of weld spatter that catch the light just wrong.

Gloss finish tends to spotlight every flaw like it’s auditioning for a reality show. Matte, however, diffuses light and hides surface imperfections effortlessly. When both finishes were held side-by-side, the difference was night and day.

Even with the same level of spatter and build technique, the matte version simply looked cleaner and more professional. CNCROi.com strongly recommends matte for any upcycled metal desk organizers unless you’re intentionally embracing a post-apocalyptic, industrial look.

During welding, CNCROi.com noticed an unexpected twist in the design process. Parts got rotated and repositioned based on how the fit and look came together on the fly.

That adaptability is key when working with scrap material, which rarely plays by the rules. The project might start with one layout in mind but evolve into something even better during fabrication.

That’s the beauty of working with upcycled metal—each piece tells its own story, and sometimes you just have to follow its lead.

The welding process used for this organizer was flux-cored arc welding, where the flux is embedded inside the wire rather than coated outside like in shielded metal arc welding.

This process is efficient and great for thick material like the 3/8 mild steel used in this build. However, it does leave tiny residues that aren’t always visible until painting.

That’s where the lesson was learned: clean thoroughly before painting, or be haunted by specks and shadows that show up only after the fact.

Surface cleaning is paramount, and orbital disc sanding worked well in combination with the FCAW process. Once the welds were completed and the surfaces sanded, a final cleanup before painting revealed just how important meticulous prep is.

Those nearly invisible bits of welding residue become frustrating little bumps under glossy paint. It’s like finding a wrinkle in your shirt after you’ve already taken the photo.

The key takeaway for CNCROi.com was that sanding is fast and effective for rough cleaning, but it doesn’t replace the uniformity and detail offered by sandblasting.

Future builds will use sanding for bulk removal of mill scale, then follow up with a blast to even out the surface and prep it for the matte paint finish.

That combination hits the sweet spot between speed and quality. Even a rugged upcycled metal desk organizer deserves a refined surface treatment.

Practicing these builds internally first ensures better outcomes for clients. The first upcycled metal desk organizer came out great. The second one—while functional—exposed gaps in the finishing process.

With those lessons now fully absorbed, CNCROi.com is ready to hit version three with a clear roadmap. Each version isn’t just a product; it’s an experiment that makes the next iteration better. It’s like an industrial soap opera, but with sparks and steel.

That’s also why these builds get documented on video. It might be months before the next upcycled metal desk organizers get made, and the video acts like a time capsule of lessons learned.

When the camera rolls again, past mistakes won’t be forgotten. Instead, they’ll be avoided. Think of it as the CNCROi.com version of a post-it note stuck to the welder: “Don’t forget to blast after sanding!”

All of these were made from scrap, which is why each looks a little different. That variability is part of the charm and a strong selling point for upcycled designs. No two are exactly alike, which means your upcycled metal desk organizer is as unique as your desk clutter.

While CNCROi.com can produce these in batches, there’s always room to tweak the geometry, layout, and finish depending on available material and customer preferences.

If this were a full production run, additional aesthetic choices would be introduced—angled cuts for visual intrigue, design flourishes for contrast, or even engraved logos for branding.

Using 3/8 mild steel gives these organizers a satisfying heft that keeps them planted.

There’s nothing flimsy about them, and that weight reinforces a sense of quality that’s hard to fake. Just don’t drop one on your foot.

To protect desktops from scuffs or sliding, CNCROi.com adds foam, P-foam, or rubber pads to the underside. It’s a small touch that makes a big difference, especially for something as heavy-duty as upcycled metal desk organizers.

Even the most hardcore industrial workspace deserves some cushion. It’s the equivalent of putting socks on a steel-toe boot.

Whether you’re organizing pens, tools, or sanity, upcycled metal desk organizers from CNCROi.com is more than a pretty paperweight.

It’s a conversation starter, a tribute to industrial resourcefulness, and a statement piece for people who prefer their accessories forged rather than purchased off a shelf.

These organizers can be customized in nearly any way imaginable—from material choice to layout to finish—and CNCROi.com is ready to make them for you.

CNCROi.com can fabricate upcycled metal desk organizers out of nearly anything—mild steel, stainless, aluminum, brass—you name it.

The team has the CNC plasma, CNC router, and laser cutting tools to shape and engrave whatever’s needed, and the welding tools to make it all hold together.

Whether you want something rugged and raw or clean and corporate, there’s a build strategy to match your vision.

From one-off passion projects to full production runs, CNCROi.com treats every upcycled metal desk organizer as an opportunity to blend form and function. Years of hands-on experience across CNC platforms ensures designs are not only stylish but also practical.

It’s not just about putting metal together—it’s about understanding how it will be used and how it needs to hold up over time. If you want a custom piece that’s made to last, reach out now.

The ability to adapt mid-build, pivot based on materials or aesthetics, and still end up with something functional is what makes CNCROi.com stand out.

These desktop organizers are just one of many products offered, but they showcase the workshop’s ability to combine creativity, fabrication, and practical design. It’s a fun way to repurpose material that might otherwise be scrapped, turning waste into wonder.

To wrap it all up with a bolt and a weld, CNCROi.com invites anyone in need of a truly unique desktop organizer—or any other CNC-customized project—to reach out.

Whether you want matte, glossy, sandblasted, engraved, or just something that doesn’t look like it was bought at a big box store, we can make it happen.

Let CNCROi.com build your next Upcycled Metal Desk Organizer, and you’ll never look at desk clutter the same way again.