December 27, 201114 yr Well, I made up some skull punches and gave this thing a try. Looks like I need to work on my proportions. This one is from 1-1/2" round stock. All hand work took about 1-1/2 hours. Next one will be done in the press to see the time savings.
December 27, 201114 yr how will you do it in the press randy? i love the skull, the texture looks fab too, sure its just how it turned out, or maybe a great contrast photo but its great skulls are always good decoratively!
December 27, 201114 yr Author Looking good Randy, the first ones out of bar were real simple, one heat. The last ones were a bit taller than square and took 2-3 heats under the hammer, here's a quick sketch.
December 27, 201114 yr Thanks. The texture is just from heating and hammering. I spent a lot of time rounding up the top of the skull and hammering in the 3 sided tenon for the jaw. Michael, you actually cut out a part of the material for the back of the jaw? Thanks for the drawing. That helps. Were you using pieces already cut off instead of attached to a bar? I'll use the press for forging out the jaw (tenon) and maybe rounding up the top of the head. Unless I simplify the shape and not try to get it more life like.
December 27, 201114 yr Michael, you've made quite a few of these skulls. Do you have a project that you are making them for?
December 27, 201114 yr Author No cutting, forged. The triangle tool isolates the material then use the block to shape. I have found the more I fiddle with them the less I like them, do them quick. I made about a dozen or so one day trying to figure out the head for my sculpture BRD. I ended up with the bird skull which was forge from 4" square billet. When I get some time I'll do a photo series to give you a better idea.
December 28, 201114 yr NICE! Anyone making large billets of the stuff? no idea... just thaught it would look awesom maybe 1095 and 15n20?
January 1, 201214 yr Author Process sequence, forged from 3" square 4 1/2" long. The closer they get to human scale the stranger they look, I think 6" billet may be the ticket.
January 1, 201214 yr wow! wonderful and vivid great pictures, i LOVE it!! LOVE the size and weight of that in your hand ...
January 6, 201214 yr Skulls are one of my favorite subject matter- these are really great and the process shots are inspiring!
January 8, 201214 yr I am just going to have to try that next week. I have a lump of 4" square about 6" long kicking around. It may even prompt a "that's cool dad" from my teenage daughter.
January 8, 201214 yr Author Go fer it John! I would suggest a few smaller ones to get the feel for the proportions. This hard part for me was keeping the jaw small enough, eyes sockets far apart and low enough on the head. This one is a bit dopey looking.
January 9, 201214 yr This one is a bit dopey looking. reminds me of homer simpson for some reason :unsure:
January 9, 201214 yr reminds me of homer simpson for some reason At least Homer is out of the gene pool.....no more Barts.... Doh! Now Bart's gonna.......
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