kustomsteel Posted March 4, 2013 Share Posted March 4, 2013 Hello all, I'm finally getting back into the game after I took a 2 year sabbatical to build myself a new shop. here's my latest... Fabricated steel, a little forging, a lot of welding and grinding! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Coke Posted March 4, 2013 Share Posted March 4, 2013 Fantastic detail... Are you sure ya didn't cast it.... THAT TAKES PLANNING I'M IMPRESSED... Glad you have your shop up and running Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Kehler Posted March 4, 2013 Share Posted March 4, 2013 Wow! I really like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macbruce Posted March 4, 2013 Share Posted March 4, 2013 WOW, very nice piece, good effort and it shows..... B) ...Some dementions please...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kustomsteel Posted March 4, 2013 Author Share Posted March 4, 2013 Thank you all. I have a ton of process photos, and you know i never put a tape measure to it but he's about 18" tall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted March 4, 2013 Share Posted March 4, 2013 WICKED KEWL! Okay, where are the pics of your new shop or did I miss them in the "show us your shop" thread? Glad to see you back. Frosty The lucky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
windancer Posted March 4, 2013 Share Posted March 4, 2013 That is very fine work with the extra effort worth the time. Fine job! Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanR Posted March 4, 2013 Share Posted March 4, 2013 Simply amazing, incredible detail, you are truly talented. Cheers Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dillon Sculpture Posted March 4, 2013 Share Posted March 4, 2013 Hey, Your not monkeying around! That is killer sculpture, from idea to execution you nailed it. I would assume you'll have to empty that little bowl often though B) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MLMartin Posted March 4, 2013 Share Posted March 4, 2013 I love it. Would you please tell us a little about how you built it? Is the body hollow? Maybe solid arms? Looks grand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kustomsteel Posted March 4, 2013 Author Share Posted March 4, 2013 Thanks again everybody! This piece is primarily 1/8" sheet and 1" sch 40 pipe. The mouth area started out as a steel ball as well as the eyes. The tail was a piece of 1" solid round and all the digits 3/8" solid round. I have been inspired by this site to try forging more of the elements of my work, I enjoy the process but it really slowed me down, sculpting this took 82 hours. Frosty I need to get some shop pics up, but I have to admit I'm a little shy after seeing some of the smithing equipment around here! Danger, maybe we should make an 80' tall version so it will have a proper bowl :P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bentiron1946 Posted March 4, 2013 Share Posted March 4, 2013 All it needs is wings! That is a fantastic looking monkey, you done good! B) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dillon Sculpture Posted March 4, 2013 Share Posted March 4, 2013 Kinda spooky, flying monkeys, I like it :D The real trick would be to drop the change in the bowl and have it disappear down into the body? Again beautiful work Karl, the expression in the face and hands is amazing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kustomsteel Posted March 5, 2013 Author Share Posted March 5, 2013 Flying Monkey? Hmmm, think I could come up with a pair of wings! Thanks for the comments, I struggle with whether I'm making art or not, by modern standards. The positive reinforcement tends to make me think I'm heading in the right direction with my creations. I'm going to add some progress shots and I apologize in advance if this is too image heavy, I'm not the best editor! #1- 2" hollow ball with mouth detail hot chiseled in, 5/16"? solid eyeballs w/ 1/2" solid bar wrap, 1/8" plate nose w/ built up weld nostrils #2- top and side profile of skull shaped with 3/4" x 1/8" flat. forehead and cheeks formed from 1/8" plate #3- all fill in plates added and head ground #4- refining the head. pupils drilled, side burn pieces added, fill in weld added to shape face #5- pretty close to done with the head. eyelids carved in #6- 3/4" sch 40 pipe arms forged and ground. pipe thighs and calves forged. stomach plate forged #7- bent pipe for spine shape, parts added with solid balls for knee joints #8- body plates added, arms cut off to allow finishing of the body #9- all welded, ground, and texture, texture, texture! #10- arms back on. I changed the position of the left arm, and these are the original hands and feet that I shaped out of 1" x 1/2"flat bar. They will eventually be trashed. #11- forging the tail. 1" round bar and yes that is my POS anvil and my lil' homemade single burner forge in the background. #12- pot made from hollow ball #13 parts coming together #14- new fingers and toes die ground from 3/8" round bar #15- all cleaned up an ready for patina and lacquer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy Posted March 5, 2013 Share Posted March 5, 2013 Amazing work! Please keep it up and keep sharing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bo McCutcheon Posted March 5, 2013 Share Posted March 5, 2013 Right direction for sure. Thank you for posting. Keep up the GOOD work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bentiron1946 Posted March 5, 2013 Share Posted March 5, 2013 thanks for the photos, it's nice to see the various progress shots, thanks again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianinsa Posted March 5, 2013 Share Posted March 5, 2013 It's atr,arty and stunningly beautifull! Thanks for sharing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
female_blacksmith Posted March 5, 2013 Share Posted March 5, 2013 Wow ! Every hour shows, the detail is fantastic. Denise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ironman50 Posted March 5, 2013 Share Posted March 5, 2013 Outstanding piece! Like the subject and every detail is well made specially the adorable face and hair. Impressive work! Great progress shots as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pascalou Posted March 6, 2013 Share Posted March 6, 2013 Great art Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kustomsteel Posted March 6, 2013 Author Share Posted March 6, 2013 Thank you all, I really appreciate the encouraging words and especially coming from peers who understand the joy and curse of working with metals! I will try to post more projects here, as I have said before I'm new to blacksmithing but I think there is a shared understanding of how to move metal whether under a power hammer or with a torch and masons hammer. I also have photos of my work at kustomsteel.tumblr.com if you are interested. Sorry no website yet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
queensdudleyanvil Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 Hi Karl, just went to the other site, absolutely amazing work! Anyone interested in metal artwork will love it. I live up in Frederick and currently taking an art welding class at FCC. You have inspired me to up my game. Thanks! Kent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kustomsteel Posted March 8, 2013 Author Share Posted March 8, 2013 I appreciate you taking the time to look at my work Kent, and I'm humbled by your comments. Good luck with your class and hopefully I'll see some of your work soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laertius Posted March 8, 2013 Share Posted March 8, 2013 Just amazing, I am not a pro, but have worked a lot of metal and know how much work, attention to detail and planning that would take: truly inspiring! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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