nelson

This a sculpture made with 7/16" and 1/4" rebar, and scrap pices of plate and 1/2 " square stock to make base and men figures. Nelson.

Mike, Those critters really ad art and fun to the garden. I like Garfield, and the one with a plow. The paint job on the cat is great too. A+ to you and the lady. Nelson.

Tom, Probably not much longer than a round trip to California, but amigo coming through so many of these upside down countries may just be heaven or it could be hell. Just kidding. Enjoy your trip meetings, and will keep in touch here on IFI for the time, LOL. Nelson.

Hey Tom, That`s great man, how you manage to take advantage of your trucking and take time to meet folks in person down the road. A real thrill! Most probably you get to meet Frosty up in Alaska before we could even think of meeting down here, but just in case you get a trip passing the border down to Mexico, on down to Central America, just go a bit further towards the Caribean and we could a drink some native cocoa, coffee or a shot of good rum if you will, LOL. Just kidding but never know! Have a good trip meeting guys from IFI. Nelson.

Sam, Congratulations to you and your children. What a thrill to work together with the little guys, and come up with something BIG in size and quality. Excellent! Nelson.

Hi Robert, This thread is great in my opinion for many reasons, but here are two that come to mind: 1) A problem is addressed to find a friendly solution 2) The dynamics generated from this thread is very healthy for the site. Although we may not entirely agree on some aspects, bringing up that issue or any other controversial one, enhances comunication, an important support of any relationship, as IFI may be considered a social group, a family where we interact in a virtual manner. Other related sites, lack this sort of interaction, so in my opinion is like having a bad circulation you know, blood does barely move, little oxygen, and much apathy takes over till the site becomes dull, boring! Cheers, we`re discussing in a respectful way, sometimes the heat of the conversation takes on, but that`s great! This is all positive, and ads a little constructive spice to the forum.

Hi folks, Most people responding to this thread are somewhat right to some extent. We`re addressing an issue that applies to so many other human affairs, and here too, misinformed, joking, obnoxious and all sorts of people may feel at home. A lot of patience is required to deal with them, but let`s face it, I believe many don`t realize the burden and confusion derived. Nonetheless, the call for more tactfulness, and to contribute to the betterment of the site as well as the enrichment of ourselves, is valid. We all must be aware, that people can take some of our mistakes, now let`s not over do it.This a great site and the administrators, moderators, and the whole team, are all doing an excellent job as volunteers, that`s a task most of us appreciate. Recently, I interviewed a guy to help with some welding, and he brought along documents to show some of his experience. As I have a very, very small business, my interest is focused more on performance that what a paper may say. He flunked! The reason I bring this up, is not to underestimate academic or work credentials, no,is just that probably in the case of blacksmithing a picture of what one does, along with tips, and tech description and so on, may be generally speaking, more useful and significant than a number of years by itself. There are many ways to skin a cat, and someone may just be informing about his way, which may not be the most adequate from another buddy’s view. So it can get a bit touchy huh. Most definitely, nonsense bugs people. The senior versus junior issue I find it irrelevant for the most part. Regarding the hierarchy suggestion, well there are probably better ways to bring people together. Labels are distinctive all right, but if this a sharing and learning forum, that could become more a barrier, and appear egotistical to some. Keeping it simple and open makes the site more attractive, but again we must remind all including ourselves that hard working people don`t want to be buried with junk, nor is it fair to confused someone trying to get sound advice. Frankly, this is one of the best structured sites I've seen, where people openly share and learn. Last but not least, as a newbie, I've had a few mess ups, but seems appropriate to check what one writes before going on the air. Generally, I`m learning that when in doubt, it`s best not to post... Congratulations to all. Nelson.

Hi Steve, That`s a handsome machete. Is that rainbow reflection due to the oil you applied or is it the result of heat treating and so on? We use a lot of those here in the tropics, of course they ain`t that nice... Nelson

Good question, as good as asking why drugs are so for drug addicts. I think that for something to be addicting, first you got to like it. Second it got to fill a void within us. Third, it becomes as important as food for an empty belly, that got to be filled regularly. I`m myself a work addict, and what can be more fulfiling that shaping a piece of iron,wood, or any other media into whatever comes to mind regardless of shape, color, size or what have you. Don`t hurt the liver, or burn neurons, so to me is the best and most creative addiction, love it! nelson.

Howdy guys, this is an interesting thread. As a no so young guy anymore, and having learned a couple facts of life by now, I can see in restrospective how I used to be, and understand how young guys behave. When we were young and inexperienced, full of energy and plenty time to waste and/or do what we please, many of us thought we knew it all, and would want to "get there" fast! Nowdays, I think it`s worse yet in this global world where human affairs take place more rapidly. We older and/or more experienced guys, got to be patient, not to say we don`t get p..... off with some actitudes from young and no so young guys. Teaching is learning, so we ought to take it as a challenge, hey again, but don`t take too far huh! If someone is off the wall, or don`t take the time to listen to some advise or to read what is posted, let`s tell him where they can get help, and if they guy is still deaf, well, telling him off in an educated manner, may be the way out. I agree with you guys, and Steve, the problem separating opinions from facts may be that at times we`re so sure that what we state are "facts". In all, I haven`t been around this forum long, but it`s my believe that it`s a great place to learn and share openly not only techniques and our work, but also our believes regarding issues of almost any sort. The key thing here I think, is that we share, and at times we`ll get glad or upset, but the worst thing is that we become indifferent.I`m for feedback, constructive discussion, sometimes impulsive why not, so long as the interaction moves in a respectful manner, anything goes...At times, it may be a good idea to ask someone to explain what he meant by a comment, because often times a statement may be missunderstood. Nelson.

Mike, I`ve been doing comercial iron work mainly, and at times may be fun and inspiring, but other times well, it`s just plain work, work for a living. As I adventured spontaneously, because I didn`t plan to get into it, I discovered how wonderful it is to do sculpture. The less restriccions in regards to particular measurements, shape, color, or meaning, the more freedom one has to create. In fact, I don`t like to use the word create, for it`s all created already. All we do as artists, in my opinion is discovering, and whatever we discover be it a tecnique, a particular shape, a texture and any other elements, is simply asseambling our discovery in a personal and unique way to express something. So I invite you to discover,to discover what`s out there and what`s within your mind... Thanks. Nelson.

Jeds that`s a nice gift for Mom! Now, just an idea, if you take say a piece of 1/2" bar and point it then turn it, it will look as the center bud of unopen petals. On that same rod you may weld petals from inside out, the ones closer to the center bud no so open, and the following more, and more open as you reach the oldest petals, and finally you may add the sepals, or leaves enclosing the whole flower bud before opening. By the way, are you rebuilding that steam hammer? Holy cow, that must be something else... Nelson.

Jeds, The airport is going to be remodeled and the project includes an art exibition area for artists. I don`t wanna appear like the star of the show, but I`m glad that in the near future there`ll be a place to show their work, in a rather unusual place:an airport. Truthfully, I`ll be glad for those that will also get exposure, and we could share a room, where more people will benefit from this important exibit. Others shall enjoy being here too. My home town is too industrial minded, and art is not exactly promoted. Things ought to change, and the airport people have realized the importance of encouraging creativity towards a more humanistic city...Thanks! nelson.

Finnr, Glad you like it. Thanks! nelson.

My academic background in art is also limited to a few art classes in college the rest is just self learned, with all the mistakes and few acchievements implied thereof, but the main thing is to enjoy what you do regardeless of the level some put at, and if people enjoy the work, better yet. Some may hate it and that`s alright too! That`s something I love about this site: how much one can learn and enjoy sharing with other fellow men.Your view of this sculpture may or not be as intended, but "uplifting" pretty much describes the overall message conveyed, without getting into details and sophisticated words, that`s where critics come in... Cheers Frost, things should be warming up in Alaska! Nelson.

Hi Frost, Yes indeed, it`s at the entrance of the City local airport. Interestingly, I started the sculpture, and for some reason the process was put off for more than a year. During that time participating in art contests became a very interest issue to me. Nevertheless, not that that I had expected to be the "Winner", but for God`s sake, at times it seems to be "the worst work contest" type of event more than anything else. So I felt pretty bad seeing how crappy work could go on and make to National`s. In all, such practices as I`ve found out, are not uncommon in this art world business, and so I tried to pull out the positive side of it. There had to be something positive! The experience was not a deterrant to me, contrarywise Frosty, I felt compelled to do better and bigger work no matter what. Thus Metalmorfosis started to take shape again till I finished it. Afterwards I had to find a place for it. Neither a gallery nor a contest, I wanted people to enjoy and value 3 months of heart felt work, after all nobody writes letters to stash them away. The people at the airport felt in love with it as soon as they saw it. My offer was to exibit for free. Fortunately, so much hard work and effort is paying off with all the work generated thereby. Now, Metalmorfosis has become an emblematic figure at the airport, and when the time comes, I shall propose to sell it to them or else...??? May this be an example for young guys starting in this difficult art business. Work, work, and work; find places that`ll give you good public exposure and be patient (this is the hard part). Anyway, Frost thanks and glad you like it. Nelson.

This a sculpture made of mild steel, brass and some discarded parts. Nelson.

Hi Jeff, I`ve been reading your thread and the answers regarding your knife. Knife making is another subject within my field of ignorance, but it`s something I`d like to try someday. Anyhow, I read once a procedure where the billet was inmerse in melted brass as a chocolate bar, pulled out and wait a little to let the temp drop a bit to dip it again so the thicker molten brass would completely fill some kind of voids. Did you heat your billet with a torch or in a forge? Must say your knife came out beautiful, and being your first one, wow, don`t ask for more. Nelson.

Mike, Handles on hand tools seem to be the least lasting part. I`ve gotten tired of replacing some hammer handles, and some of them have a nice piece of stainless pipe hammered for confort, welded on. Of course, the SS is scrap. As far as shovels go, I`ve had two for a long time, to which a shoved a galvanized piece of pipe and welded it, and let me tell you the shovels are getting sharp and short from wearing off, but no complaints about broken handles... nelson.

Hi Ruben, These terms: radius, diameter, and circunsference are related and often times confused. Looking at the picture you posted, Y is the diameter, that`s 2 times it`s radius so the radius for that fullering tool is Y/2. The diameter of a cirscunference is the max measure which is the line going through its center from one end of the circle to the oposite. The circunsference is the circle, the round shape line, and it has a measurement going all around, which would be given by this formula: 2 Pi r = 2 x 3.1416 x r (radius). if you wanted to find out the area within that circle, just take the 2 at the front and bring up 2 to the radius to make it square : A = 3.1416x r . Going back to your pic,the fuller is narrower on top than the bottom, this gives better penetration and strength at the base, but what really matters from a blacksmisth stand is the top rounded part, so forget the base which may or may not be broader. Of that round end, Y is the max horizontal measurement, which is the diameter. Actually you could think of that round end as half an orange, namely, half a sphere. The side view is a circle right? so now you know that if someone tells you a 1/2" radius fuller, well you could look at the radius as being the efective height of that round end. I`m including a drawing that hope may be helpful. The drawing shows w and z as two of the many measurements you could get once you pass y (the diameter, or 2x radius). If you understand now what radius and diameter mean, a 1" radius fuller for instance, will be 2" thick (diameter) at that critical height. Hope didn`t get you more confused. nelson.

Hi Brian, As usual, great tutorial, and a great gift for Mom! nelson.

Sorry again...here we go I hope. nelson.

Forgot to include these pics of the roof style of the big hut 24x8mt, similar to the small scale hut made for a carnival parade. Well, there`s my sister, me, one of my 4 beloved pits, and two of the three macaws in the place. Sorry if all deviated from Iron work to structural, to cement, to macaws...lol. Nelson.

Iron and Rich, when I talked about a tank over 4 columns, that was just a simplified way not to trouble too much, to find out the max load that a 2.5 mt high column of a structural square tube 120x120x4mm could support when welded to nearby columns. I didn`t want to complicate matters but for a tech advice and engineering calculations, all details must be provided for a sound construction so that`s the reason I`m submiting all info required to an arquitect, following Charlotte`s advice. I`ve done some construction as heavy as that one, but not with the shape, slope and height that the images show, and all that complicates matters. Wind and quakes are no worries at all. The plan view shows the 21 columns all around the square hut, plus two more at the entrance. Then there are 4 lengthwise across the center. These 4 columns are of critical importance due to heavier loads and increased height they must comply with safely. There`s a seroius termite problem in the area, so no wood. The roof will be a 2 " concrete pour resting over arched prefabricated beams to achieve that typical hut shape. I`ve been doing some iron-cement work and feel confident the work will be fine with some sound advice. The small scale hut work is of basically the style for this big hut, except that it`ll be open, and only the kitchen and bathrooms areas will have walls. This no high tech construction, no problem with regulations, but it got to be SAFE! The whole problem will be solved switching to larger structural columns at the center. 200x200x 6mm should be more than necessary and ad more safety to this artisian hut. Those giants at the center will not only look good, but let the sorrounding columns at rest with little load stress to handle. The hut sholud be near 6 mt high for ventilation and design look. Comments are welcomed. Nelson.

Steve, that`s a very nice nice looking cross. Rustic and with a lot of character. As far as the base it may depend on the location where you mean to place it. nelson.