Q&A for How to Get Free Items in Team Fortress 2

Yes, in fact they are extremely rare. They have an unboxing chance of about 1%, so good luck. It is probably easier to trade, but you might get lucky from a crate.

Yes, but on rare to very rare occasions. So just hope for the best. I found a few hats about once a few weeks. That's how I got a few, anyways.

You can't. You have to buy them. You could beg a friend for one, or go on scrap.tf raffles, but that's about it.

No, you cannot upgrade any weapons in Team Fortress 2. However, there are sidegrades such as the Sydney Sleeper, the Classic, etc. You can use those, but there is no way of upgrading weapons.

No, but if you're lucky, you could get the item again randomly.

If you're a new player, you can join community item drop servers and get all the achievement items. Trade with other players in community servers or friends of yours. You can also open crates (if you're willing to pay).

One method is to use 3 refined metal to craft a cosmetic. You can find this option under "Crafting". However, it usually is not worth it, as the crafted cosmetics are random. In addition, 3 refined metal requires a lot of weapons if you are a free to play. To get 1 refined metal, you need 3 reclaimed metal, which is 3 scrap metal per reclaimed metal, which is 2 weapons from the same class per scrap metal. In total, you need 54 weapons to craft a single cosmetic. Still, even if you somehow manage to accumulate the refined metal for the cosmetic, you may be unlucky and get a lousy cosmetic.

Currently it is unavailable for purchase. However, it may become available later, but it seems to be unlikely.

It just takes a lot of time. However, you can use items you already have to craft different ones (e.g. the Huntsman can be crafted into the crusader's crossbow with a couple of one of the types of metals).