chyancarrek

I've always been fascinated at how much more they know about excuses than I do about smithing.

. . .

I'm gonna steal that one Frosty!

One leaf coming up!

Good on ya for taking this on Steve - Thank you!

Neil

"hmph i can make these" - - - Cool, I look forward to seeing your work"

"I can get these at Walmart for less money" - - Good deal, sounds like you found what you're looking for.



Edge,

The above are my standard responses to those two worn out comments. They're best delivered in the most indifferent voice you can muster

You gotta develop a thick skin if you're going to lay your work out in front of folk. There's just no shortage of arm-chair experts who'll give you a two dollar opinion over a 2 cent issue . . . just smile and nod and put your energy into the people who are worth the time.

Glenn,

Our deepest sympathies to you and your family. You're all in our thoughts and prayers.

Neil & Lauren

Makes sense,

Plenty of precedent for RC control of larger equipment - cranes, mining equipment, excavating, etc.

Hey Eric,

The fella in your OP, is that Jim Marson?

I swung hammer with him for a number of years at Powerland in Brooks Or. He was a great guy and a bunch of fun to be around. All the boys at the Steam-up were really sad to hear of his passing last year.

Good luck with the Ren/Fair!

Nicely Done!

Make sure to get some post/installation shots for us.

Thanks John!

My time with Jim has been the kind of experience one wishes he could bestow on everyone - a combination of mentorship, apprenticeship and most importantly an abiding friendship . . . I wouldn't trade one minute of it for any other riches!
Neil

Silicon Bronzes are said to stay in that shiny state pretty well permanently - no coating required.

Unfortunately, that isn't true.

You'll need to find something to isolate SB or copper from the elements. They both will take on a naturally dark patina very quickly (within 24 hours) as it reacts to it's environment.

In the studio where I work we use laquer with good results to stabilize a patina but because there's an ongoing chemical process involved, it's ever changing even under the laquer.

That being said, we expect and plan on this ongoing change so we've never searched out a product that will completely stop a patina from forming. There may be something that will work - hopefully someone here will be able to point you in the right direction - if you do find something, please post the name of it!

Good luck!

The sculptor I work with has been producing art since the '50s and this dead horse discussion has been chasing it's tail for as long as he can remember

He's a firm believer that if you want to own the "statement" you have to own the process - Physically bringing your message to life is a matter of letting every bit of that process run through your own hands.

That's not to say that you can do it all alone, it's tough to pour 400 pounds of molten metal without having someone else on the other end of the yoke-shank or shifting an 800 pound segment of a sculpture into place solo. You need help, that help just has to be kept in perspective by all the parties involved.

I've been working for him for 13 years and I pour the metal, weld the armatures, form the preliminary clay, form and pour the molds, load the kiln, prep the surfaces, etc, etc. When it's all said and done, I don't claim one inch of a completed piece as "my own". It's his message, it's his work - I just participated in an "act of legacy" in bringing it to life. I get no credit or mention when his work is discussed. His description of me to outsiders is "Neil is my right hand man" - thats enough for me and a distinction I can live with and am very proud of.

For myself, I differentiate the artist/craftsman thing this way - if you have something to say with your work, a message to convey, then you're an artist. If your purpose is solely to perform a task or satisfy a function (no matter how many aesthetic elements you include) then you're a craftsman . . . both have validity and being one or the other in a true sense is something to be proud of.

Your relationship with the folk who own the concept is up to you - like all relationships, if it's all one sided or unhealthy, then it will never be good and you should get out - it's up to each of us to serve it in the way that works best for us.

Your phone was on a party line and only had 5 or 6 numbers . . . . (ours was OXF-258)

Good looking forge - Nice job on the adapter OD!

Sand-cast or lost wax?

Nice work Fe - I like 'em!

I just saw this thread or I would have posted some suggestions earlier - sounds like you worked it out just fine.

Now I got to figure out how to get the danged film out of this camera

Film? You used Film? Now we gotta wait for developing??

Glad you had a great time! Looking forward to seeing those images and I'm with ya on the molten metal thing!

The anvil rang here for Ken today - condolences to his family.

You'd best get that picture thing figured out - I'm expecting good visuals!

Good pour to you!
Neil

Nice find on a walk in the woods, better than a dead hog I guess

Rask,
Nice score! -Make sure the boss is the recipient of something made from that pile!

It definitely helps to attend a few as a spectator, then work under an expert, before starting out on your own.

Personal safety is just that, YOUR personal responsibility to keep YOU safe. You have to have a plan, and a escape route..

it is undoubtedly not a back-yard process.

Yep . . .


Molten metal offers no short cuts except to injuries - take your time and earn your chops - it's a bunch more fun that way!

Nice job Harold - That's a bunch of fun!

Jerry,

So, you're planning on sticking around right? You're one o' my favorites here on IFI so I'd be more than a touch PO'd if you weren't keeping us tuned up around here!

The pics have been great but seriously guys . . . check your image sizing before you post 'em - this thread has been painful to follow.

I dunno - I'm kinda eyeballin' that antique monkey teapot . . .

Lawnmower parts - the deck on my '68 Cub Cadet needs some TLC . . .

Mark,

Patty and you are on the list here!!!

I'm with Arftist , if that puppy's functional, leave it alone - clean it up and put it to work - I'd love to have found it for $100!

Post some pics when you get it working!