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Re: Stainless Eagle Project

Originally Posted by Popeye an old miner

That is some really nice work you done there. That work takes an enormous amount of imagination vision talent and patience and it pretty obvious to me that you have a whole lot of all 4 qualities. I read somewhere a long time ago most of the old artists we were taught about in school (think Davinci, VanGogh, Picasso and those types) actually weren't trying to be artists, what they did was a hobby they fell into. In any case you got somethin goin on there that with some creative busness thinking you could make a doggone good living doin this work. As far as underestimating the cost, that happens a lot and only comes with experience, I run into that problem a lot with my work, and fortunately for me all they want is the thing Im workin on fixed and fixed to stay together a long time.


My "artisitic" ability is fixing a busted bulldozer or front end loader or dragline bucket some ol boy destroyed in a coal mine. It takes a bit of imagination and thinking to come up with an idea to idiot proof and operator proof some of this stuff I work on, most of it really isn't the operators fault it just that most of it was wore out 45 years ago and I get to put it all back together.

Best wishes, good luck and have fun

I often wish I had a little more of that technical skills you possess, theres very often old stuff that I wish I could fix up. Pherhaps even build some tools I heard of but never seen in real life
(English Wheel, Planishing Hammer and such "mythological" stuff you know)
Oh man I hope you are right and that I can make a living on this one day... sooner would be better
Thanks for your very kind feedback and thoughts mate, really appreciate them!

Originally Posted by BD1

Thanks for sharing your amazing work. This artwork isn't as easy as many think. I only do small pieces and getting them in the correct perspective, size, and appealing appearance is definitely not easy. I play with silverware art and one day I'll attempt a larger sculpture. Sadly people can be a pain to deal with and sometimes try to get a $15 or $20 piece for less. Then you tell someone , it's a $100.00 and they say that's cheap ! You can't win.
Personal enjoyment and satisfaction is great but you gotta get a few dollars.

Have you considered maybe getting a enclosed trailer for storage of your tools and equipment ? Provided your car can pull one safely. That would definitely make it easier.
You could make up a portable vise too. A upright tube with receiver type hitch would work. You can utilize the receiver for a grinder too and many others.
Her's some of my others. I set the beers there for a member here, WELDERMIKE . That beer is not mine !!!!

Oh I could use a beer right now mate so no worries *tryin to beat WelderMike there* haha
Thanks for your awesome feedback and ideas, if I one of these days have some cash changing direction (to the inbox) I will certainly look in to fixing a better or at least more permanent setup.
It would save so very, very, much time and strength. So much time goes in to finding somewhere to be, then much time is setting up and taking down and cleaning up and make sure everything looks perfect. (If you wish to be welcome again)
This is the most overwhelming part to me due to handicap, and it would be a dream to have helpful things in place instead of relying on help every time anything needs lifting/moving, so your ideas are very sound ideas indeed!
I like the pictures of your vice's, one day I hope to find a good vice at the scrapyard and refurbish it. (Well if I strike gold I'd maybe go crazy and get a brand new one)
Right now I have a vise setup on a square tube welded to a rim, and some tube holders for hammers. Everything came from the scrapyard from tubing/rim/vise to hammers, but the hammers and especially vise could be in better condition.
(Jumps cogs when I try to tighten it)
Your idea with wheels and handles on that picture are awesome! I wondered what the best way to put some wheels on this could be and when I see it I'm pretty sure you found the optimal solution!
Do you have any pics to share on your silverware art? I would really really like to see your art mate!
Thanks for the high praise, I really appreciate it!

Re: Stainless Eagle Project

Thanks for sharing your amazing work. This artwork isn't as easy as many think. I only do small pieces and getting them in the correct perspective, size, and appealing appearance is definitely not easy. I play with silverware art and one day I'll attempt a larger sculpture. Sadly people can be a pain to deal with and sometimes try to get a $15 or $20 piece for less. Then you tell someone , it's a $100.00 and they say that's cheap ! You can't win.
Personal enjoyment and satisfaction is great but you gotta get a few dollars.

Have you considered maybe getting a enclosed trailer for storage of your tools and equipment ? Provided your car can pull one safely. That would definitely make it easier.
You could make up a portable vise too. A upright tube with receiver type hitch would work. You can utilize the receiver for a grinder too and many others.
Her's some of my others. I set the beers there for a member here, WELDERMIKE . That beer is not mine !!!!

Re: Stainless Eagle Project

That is some really nice work you done there. That work takes an enormous amount of imagination vision talent and patience and it pretty obvious to me that you have a whole lot of all 4 qualities. I read somewhere a long time ago most of the old artists we were taught about in school (think Davinci, VanGogh, Picasso and those types) actually weren't trying to be artists, what they did was a hobby they fell into. In any case you got somethin goin on there that with some creative busness thinking you could make a doggone good living doin this work. As far as underestimating the cost, that happens a lot and only comes with experience, I run into that problem a lot with my work, and fortunately for me all they want is the thing Im workin on fixed and fixed to stay together a long time.


My "artisitic" ability is fixing a busted bulldozer or front end loader or dragline bucket some ol boy destroyed in a coal mine. It takes a bit of imagination and thinking to come up with an idea to idiot proof and operator proof some of this stuff I work on, most of it really isn't the operators fault it just that most of it was wore out 45 years ago and I get to put it all back together.

Best wishes, good luck and have fun

Re: Stainless Eagle Project

Originally Posted by SlowBlues

Even more amazing work considering the conditions! After getting your work out there you'll be surprised at some of the connections you can make, especially if you're a likeable person. You might get lucky and find a more reliable space to work.

I would also show some pieces to places that sell material of all sort (metal, gravel, construction, etc though not sure how prevalent they are there). They LOVE to have something interesting and beautiful like that in front of their offices or on their counter depending on the size.

If I were in your situation I would try to get together a small mobile setup in a trailer. Complete with a small flip out weld table and vise. You do need a way to tow it but it really speeds/cleans things up when you're working from different spaces. Trailers and generators here are often purchased and then never used - makes it easy to get a deal on them (in trade or cash).

If you haven't you should also look into trading pieces for tools/material.

Just a few thoughts and some things that have worked for me in the past

You sure put a lot of thoughts in my puny noggin mate! *thinking so hard my neighbours hear a sound like creeking wood*

Re: Stainless Eagle Project

Even more amazing work considering the conditions! After getting your work out there you'll be surprised at some of the connections you can make, especially if you're a likeable person. You might get lucky and find a more reliable space to work.

I would also show some pieces to places that sell material of all sort (metal, gravel, construction, etc though not sure how prevalent they are there). They LOVE to have something interesting and beautiful like that in front of their offices or on their counter depending on the size.

If I were in your situation I would try to get together a small mobile setup in a trailer. Complete with a small flip out weld table and vise. You do need a way to tow it but it really speeds/cleans things up when you're working from different spaces. Trailers and generators here are often purchased and then never used - makes it easy to get a deal on them (in trade or cash).

If you haven't you should also look into trading pieces for tools/material.

Just a few thoughts and some things that have worked for me in the past

Re: Stainless Eagle Project

Originally Posted by SlowBlues

Online "classifieds style" selling is huge here (southern california), facebook marketplace, offerup (an android app), craigslist, instagram (not really a marketplace but people still use it as such), etsy, and ebay are the big ones but it depends on location. On really artistic stuff like this one tip is to put a watermark over every picture so no one/company steals your work or uses it as a false resume/cv on someone unsuspecting. Even if your piece doesn't sell it's great advertising to show your quality of work and let people know you do custom work/orders.

I could see you getting a very nice price for your pieces if so inclined. Of course it depends on your location and luck, but when you love doing it and would be doing it for free any financial return is just the icing on the cake. Also it helps to feed your habit so to say, any "profit" I make from side jobs I try to put back in my little home shop as I build it up - I see it as a bit of an investment in that sense but like you I genuinely enjoy it.

With your back injury do you use a Shop crane of some sort? A few things that help me greatly with the heavy/awkward stuff are a shop crane with chain hoist and load leveler, and a hydraulic lift table on wheels. I also use a hand cranked small boat winch (sometimes ratchet straps or come-a-long) with a strap style lead to drag heavy things around or up inclines. The boat winch is fast, cheap, convenient, and light. All of those can be purchased cheaply from harbor freight in the united states.

Oh yes, the materials cost gets crazy fast, especially for stainless, and again it's all about location. Luckily material, gas, etc are pretty widely available and hence costs are fairly competitive where I live, but even at that it's an expensive game to get into. That's not even counting your time and accumulated skill, under quoting is all too common when starting out, and still bites many pros every now and again.

Also, those aformentioned online selling places are also great places to buy equipment and sometimes consumables. You can get some great deals and make some connections too.

Thanks for these tips SlowBlues, I really need to look in to this! I'm located far up in Sweden above the polar circle, think at the same meridian as Alaska and youre pretty much got it, and theres not much of competition between the stores here so you get the picture I think my friend?
I dont have a shop so it is hard to set up helpful things, I mostly work out of the trunk of my rusty old car providing I can borrow an extension cord at somebodys driveway. Some occations I had a garage for an evening. Final assembly happens at my parents when they are in a reaaal good mood and let me in
(They know I bite down if they let me in so I guess I got myself to blame, haha)
These are really helpful tips, I will check these out! Thanks again mate, really appreciated.

Originally Posted by Rangerhgm

WOW.....that is really lawesome.....you are truly blessed with artistic talent

I envy people who have a vision and the artistic talent to turn it into something beautiful.....myself, no artistic talent at all.....heck, I can't even draw a stick man and get the arms and legs the same length....

Thanks mate, but honestly youre being way to kind. I know you guys here are pros as where I am an uneducated swedish barbarian behind the welder. Don't undersell yourself mate! Thanks for the awesome feedback, I really appreciate it!

Re: Stainless Eagle Project

WOW.....that is really lawesome.....you are truly blessed with artistic talent

I envy people who have a vision and the artistic talent to turn it into something beautiful.....myself, no artistic talent at all.....heck, I can't even draw a stick man and get the arms and legs the same length....

Re: Stainless Eagle Project

Online "classifieds style" selling is huge here (southern california), facebook marketplace, offerup (an android app), craigslist, instagram (not really a marketplace but people still use it as such), etsy, and ebay are the big ones but it depends on location. On really artistic stuff like this one tip is to put a watermark over every picture so no one/company steals your work or uses it as a false resume/cv on someone unsuspecting. Even if your piece doesn't sell it's great advertising to show your quality of work and let people know you do custom work/orders.

I could see you getting a very nice price for your pieces if so inclined. Of course it depends on your location and luck, but when you love doing it and would be doing it for free any financial return is just the icing on the cake. Also it helps to feed your habit so to say, any "profit" I make from side jobs I try to put back in my little home shop as I build it up - I see it as a bit of an investment in that sense but like you I genuinely enjoy it.

With your back injury do you use a Shop crane of some sort? A few things that help me greatly with the heavy/awkward stuff are a shop crane with chain hoist and load leveler, and a hydraulic lift table on wheels. I also use a hand cranked small boat winch (sometimes ratchet straps or come-a-long) with a strap style lead to drag heavy things around or up inclines. The boat winch is fast, cheap, convenient, and light. All of those can be purchased cheaply from harbor freight in the united states.

Oh yes, the materials cost gets crazy fast, especially for stainless, and again it's all about location. Luckily material, gas, etc are pretty widely available and hence costs are fairly competitive where I live, but even at that it's an expensive game to get into. That's not even counting your time and accumulated skill, under quoting is all too common when starting out, and still bites many pros every now and again.

Also, those aformentioned online selling places are also great places to buy equipment and sometimes consumables. You can get some great deals and make some connections too.

Re: Stainless Eagle Project

Originally Posted by SlowBlues

Very nice! I must admit at first the eagle looked more like a "screaming chicken" at first (look up smokey and the bandit era trans-ams to see the infamous "screaming chicken" on the hood), but it ended up looking pretty fierce. You have a real gift for this type of art, and I like how you throw a little humor into some of your pieces.

You really nailed me intentions to the spot-weld mate. And hey thanks again for your awesome feedback and tips in the other threads, really appreciated! Yep I saw that screaming chicken on the hood and I suspect we have pretty much the similar frame of references SlowBlues? One of my main driving forces is the impact my fumblings has on people, if I can put a smile on somebodys face or in their hearts it is worth every sacrifice it took to make is my feeling about creative fumblings.

Originally Posted by SlowBlues

How much do you figure this piece to weigh?

I tried to keep the weight down but it is some real solid walls in that "tree trunk" in particular, but a wild guesstimation pherhaps somewhere around 250-300kg or in lbs somewhere around 550-650pounds
(I guess the translation between kilograms and pounds there in case it sounds crazy?)
Any larger sculptures are generally made in smaller pieces and then assembled when all pieces are as finished as I can get them before that assembly in question.
Very rarely have I built anything big in one piece as I am limited by the need of help with lifts and such.
(Thats btw also how come I work sitting on a pc/desk-chair. Broke my back in the 90ies but despite getting up again I'm quite limited to what and how I can do stuff)

Originally Posted by SlowBlues

The time and talent you put into your pieces is obvious, and if you are selling them I hope you are not underselling yourself!

Oh man if I had any sense of how to peddle stuff I'd be a happy bugger! Since you asked I just create just because I need to the same way most need air, I fumbled in painting/sketching etc, sculpting wood/steel etc, writing, filming, directing, architecture you named it I'm certain at some point I fumbled it up grossly but payback has not been a part of those equations. Only on the rarest occation I have been given a budget to fumble something together and to my recollection I have always ended up going over each budget, however small it is of course obviously my own fault. The screaming chicken is my latest project and I did in fact have a budget on this project. In reality it was modest and I actually sold the Graphic card and M2 SSD of my new PC to finish the sculpture up.
(I think you get it, Material, Welding wire, Flap, Cut, Polish discs, 2 component clearcoat, weldspray, Gas to drive each day to find somewhere to borrow power outlets to fumble along, 50l welding gas tube all for Stainless Steel, etc really added up quickly and gobbled the budget up quick, also when you borrow a spot to work on stuff happens and one of the welders croaked on me and I of course repaired it because thats what you do when you borrow something that breaks, well you are experienced welders and know all this stuff and I am certain have a much better professional knowledge than me on the costs involved in Stainless.)
But I am still happy somebody placed the confidence and a budget in my hands to make something that will get a permanent spot to be viewed and enjoyed for many years to come, can it get better than that?
Of course I would be happy if I made a buck, especially since I need to get some replacement consumables for welding (and get the graphic card and SSD back)
Hope thats not to honest SlowBlues, total transparancy. But I'll hope the day will come when I have a + from this, maybe I can experiment with some stuff I dream of like Cusi3 and some new tool if that comes true

Re: Stainless Eagle Project

Very nice! I must admit at first the eagle looked more like a "screaming chicken" at first (look up smokey and the bandit era trans-ams to see the infamous "screaming chicken" on the hood), but it ended up looking pretty fierce. You have a real gift for this type of art, and I like how you throw a little humor into some of your pieces.

How much do you figure this piece to weigh?

The time and talent you put into your pieces is obvious, and if you are selling them I hope you are not underselling yourself!

Re: Stainless Eagle Project

Originally Posted by psacustomcreations

I have had good luck using a small propane torch to heat up stainless and get some nice colors for art projects.

Yes I figured there was some trick to it, I just learned that the swedish "gasol" (monopol gas brand) for camping kitchens here is a mix of propane and other gas that lowers the heat of the propane quite a lot.
In fact the Swedish version burns so bad that there used to be a "winter-gasol" version that basically was pure propane without the crap gases inside because the standard gasol did not heat the food in the camping kitchens below zero (lucky if it ignited at all) I read this in a softair forum where girls/guys of other countries propelled their softairguns by propelling them with propane and the Swedes trying that had their pellets just *plop* out of their airsofties limpdicked.
I will try to find pure propane for the next try, thank you so very much for this tip psacustomcreations!!!

Originally Posted by Munkul

so very, very cool! love it.

Thank you mate, it means a lot to me mate! Maybe I'll gather curage and show some more of my fumblings

Originally Posted by mrmikey

Damn.....that is awesome work.....I wish I had half that much talent.............Mike

Dang mate, youre being much much to kind. I know you guys are real pros and I'm certain you'd beat my fumblings e-z. I'm an uneducated barbarian who happened to flip over to the premiere episode of futurama and instantly knew I had to fumble together a robot (bender) for my living room couch. (Basically never saw tools like a welder/grinder up close before that and still never had much of an instruction) So to come as far as to get this high praise from you guys at a real welding forum simply blows my mind. Thanks Mike!

Re: Stainless Eagle Project

Damn.....that is awesome work.....I wish I had half that much talent.............Mike

Re: Stainless Eagle Project

so very, very cool! love it.

Re: Stainless Eagle Project

Originally Posted by Silverbullit

I had an idea I want to try, if I polish the fish as much as possible and then heat spots to get some of them rainbow colors in to it.
Well if I can find something to spot heat it with, just learned the gasol (portable gas for camping) does nothing to reach high enough temps to colorize SS. :/

I have had good luck using a small propane torch to heat up stainless and get some nice colors for art projects.

Re: Stainless Eagle Project

Originally Posted by Silverbullit

I'll promise to up some more fumblings soon!

I wish I could fumble like that, beautiful work!

Re: Stainless Eagle Project

Originally Posted by jakedaawg

You artist type folks are incredible...absolutely amazing talents.

Really thanks jakedaawg, youre beeing much much to kind - but I really appreciate it mate!

I'll promise to up some more fumblings soon!

Re: Stainless Eagle Project

You artist type folks are incredible...absolutely amazing talents.

Re: Stainless Eagle Project

Originally Posted by psacustomcreations

All of your items look great and you are very talented.

Thanks psacustomcreations, I appreciate your kind words, truly means a lot to me mate!

Heres a little update,
Attachment 1704458
Spraygunned the trunk to catch that color of cooking X-mas butterscotch toffe if that makes sense in english?

Attachment 1704459
The flowers in place, water will run from the sunflower-inspired flower buds down between the chain of leafs. (Supposedly... hopefully)
If you look closer pherhaps you see a little turtle there with two wonky teeths, I suppose it gotta be one of them snap-turtles? (At least what I tried to catch the spirit of)

Attachment 1704460
Fish in place with intended fishy look *pun intended*

Attachment 1704461
The finished doodiddelythingie sculpture

Now it just need to find it's way to a fountain where I'll try to cap som pics 4 ya mates.

Hope you enjoy the build-log!

Have a nice one!!!

Re: Stainless Eagle Project

All of your items look great and you are very talented.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

Re: Stainless Eagle Project

Originally Posted by docwelder

silverb; don't let this go to your head but you have a lot of artistic talent that more than makes up for any perceived lack of welding technique. the tree is very realistic and well executed. the fish/platypus rocks too.

Really truly thanks for those kind words Docwelder, went straight to my heart!
And hey, give your macaw a cracker from me mate


Spraypainted today, sky opened up halfway through. (Wow what a rainburst)
I don't know if the spraygun was in order or if I'm just not clever enough to figure it out how to set it up, figure it must be me.
If somebody knows a decent tutorial on sprayguns on youtube I'd sure love the link.

I'll try to fix and redo the clearcoating tomorrow and update you mates!

Re: Stainless Eagle Project

Originally Posted by Silverbullit

Haha, yeah true, he looks like he's flippin out.


Thanks mate for the trust and kind words. I've been cheating (= uneducated welds) through some crappy projects and I consider sharing a few despite knowing better.

Time for a modest update,
It's been raining here like crazy so I have not been able to clearcoat the entire doodiddelythingy.
Heres a bad pic of the base for the Eagle (THAT base took me most of the summer to make because it is in one piece and draggin that thing around was just... wow for my bad back)
Worst today was when my parents showed up to help me roll this thing out of an garage and my mom hit her head and really cut her scalp like bad, an inch long cut, tried to take parents to the emergency but the are stubborn and refused... of course.
I simply stopped arguing, cleaned the wound and got my sis whos basically has a small zoo and more or less is half vet to check and dress the wound. It ended up o.k.
Anyway, sorry for going off topic, heres the base for the Eagle.
Attachment 1704400
I will either weld the eagle in a nest made from the SS wire on the floor to the left in the pic w pherhaps chicks (not girls but the small birdie-num-num's)
or
like he is landing on a branch and prolly holding sumthin in his claws.

Attachment 1704401
I'll try making a fish and I F it turns out reasonably not to crappy I'll go with alternative "fish".

Attachment 1704402
Does this make me a grinder and not a welder? *blushing*
I had an idea I want to try, if I polish the fish as much as possible and then heat spots to get some of them rainbow colors in to it.
Well if I can find something to spot heat it with, just learned the gasol (portable gas for camping) does nothing to reach high enough temps to colorize SS. :/

Attachment 1704403
Beginning to wish I had studied fishes closer, really hard to create something on the spot from the mind... Making space for some marbles for eyes

Attachment 1704404
These marbles are just balanced in place temporarily (cracked and missing pieces) liked the red tone, dunno if I can find a matching set in decent shape.

Tomorrow will be assembly and spraypainting if weather allows.
Got some 2 component clearcoat and that will be interesting as I have virtually zero experience in spraypainting.



Have a nice day mates, I'll keep the updates coming if you want to see the finished thingie.

silverb; don't let this go to your head but you have a lot of artistic talent that more than makes up for any perceived lack of welding technique. the tree is very realistic and well executed. the fish/platypus rocks too.

Re: Stainless Eagle Project

Originally Posted by docwelder

that looks like one angry bird. your excellent sculpture could be a trophy for philippine sabong championship.

Haha, yeah true, he looks like he's flippin out.

Originally Posted by E T

I like it, sh*tty welds and all. Your welds will get better with practise.
I think sh*tty welds don't really matter with art like this. You have to watch it from a distance, not close up.

Thanks mate for the trust and kind words. I've been cheating (= uneducated welds) through some crappy projects and I consider sharing a few despite knowing better.

Time for a modest update,
It's been raining here like crazy so I have not been able to clearcoat the entire doodiddelythingy.
Heres a bad pic of the base for the Eagle (THAT base took me most of the summer to make because it is in one piece and draggin that thing around was just... wow for my bad back)
Worst today was when my parents showed up to help me roll this thing out of an garage and my mom hit her head and really cut her scalp like bad, an inch long cut, tried to take parents to the emergency but the are stubborn and refused... of course.
I simply stopped arguing, cleaned the wound and got my sis whos basically has a small zoo and more or less is half vet to check and dress the wound. It ended up o.k.
Anyway, sorry for going off topic, heres the base for the Eagle.
Attachment 1704400
I will either weld the eagle in a nest made from the SS wire on the floor to the left in the pic w pherhaps chicks (not girls but the small birdie-num-num's)
or
like he is landing on a branch and prolly holding sumthin in his claws.

Attachment 1704401
I'll try making a fish and I F it turns out reasonably not to crappy I'll go with alternative "fish".

Attachment 1704402
Does this make me a grinder and not a welder? *blushing*
I had an idea I want to try, if I polish the fish as much as possible and then heat spots to get some of them rainbow colors in to it.
Well if I can find something to spot heat it with, just learned the gasol (portable gas for camping) does nothing to reach high enough temps to colorize SS. :/

Attachment 1704403
Beginning to wish I had studied fishes closer, really hard to create something on the spot from the mind... Making space for some marbles for eyes

Attachment 1704404
These marbles are just balanced in place temporarily (cracked and missing pieces) liked the red tone, dunno if I can find a matching set in decent shape.

Tomorrow will be assembly and spraypainting if weather allows.
Got some 2 component clearcoat and that will be interesting as I have virtually zero experience in spraypainting.



Have a nice day mates, I'll keep the updates coming if you want to see the finished thingie.

Re: Stainless Eagle Project

Originally Posted by Silverbullit

Heres a brighter pic,

Attachment 1704303
Began cleaning up wings from spatter and ****ty welds. (Shouldnt blame it on anything, but I cant see anything except darkness in my fairly new welding helmet and I noticed it sure does'nt help much towards perfect welds. )

that looks like one angry bird. your excellent sculpture could be a trophy for philippine sabong championship.

Re: Stainless Eagle Project

I like it, sh*tty welds and all. Your welds will get better with practise.
I think sh*tty welds don't really matter with art like this. You have to watch it from a distance, not close up.

Re: Stainless Eagle Project

Heres a brighter pic,

Attachment 1704303
Began cleaning up wings from spatter and ****ty welds. (Shouldnt blame it on anything, but I cant see anything except darkness in my fairly new welding helmet and I noticed it sure does'nt help much towards perfect welds. )