Preying mantis. Been working on him all week with many distractions inbetween. He is in fight mode.

 

Sorry. Had to toy with him battling Trimontasaurus like an old Godzilla movie.

Очень интересная работа.

Very interesting job.

That's so cool. 

Nice work Das, as always

 very realistic. nice job.

That is just way too cool Das. The roller chain face really gives it character. Great job as always.

Thanks guys!  

Battling? I thought they were dancing!

I guess it depends on the music Thomas lol

I'd figure that in between destroying Tokyo or other places they'd get together to sink a few beers, dance a bit and gripe about Mad Scientists, the Environment, etc...

HAHA Thomas Thats a great thought!

Hey Das, that is brilliant, mate! I love the detail in the face. The pipe wrenches and ring gear work so well for the grabbers. Are his antennae a bit long?? What are the wings? I've done a lot of mantises, but I'll take away an idea or two of yours if I may!

I like the battle scene too. I'll back that mantis.

Seen it in person today it's awesome.

Nice pair you have there Das. What are you going to do for an encore? 

Frosty The Lucky.

Thanks Aus, Jimmy, Frosty. 

Aus, the antenna seemed right to me for it.  They could be a tad long. They were car antenna cut in half. The wings are made from a sheet of stainless that was scalloped in a way. Basically had bends in it that flared out from the center. I cut out the shapes with my plasma cutter and the larger four wings I bent some round bar for a brace. I used your idea of a sickle bar blade for the base shape of the head  art inspires art as life inspires art. Feel free. 

I'll try to get a better picture of the wings later. 

 

Frosty, I don't know what's next. Someone suggested mothra.  

Hey Das, I retract my comment about the antennae. They are fine. I must have had dragonflies on my mind, as I recall their antennae are very small.  A case of mistaken identity.

No worries Aus. Here are some closer pictures of the wings, claw and face. 

 

Thanks Das. It's clear now how you did the wings. And that face is very impressive.

Your welds are neat too. Are you using mig?  Obviously not stick.

Yup, I've always used MIG. I have a tig but I need to practice with it. Everytime I start on a project tho I go right to the MIG.

 

Really nice work. What kind of plasma cutter do you have? I am trying to decide which one to buy myself

Those are some really cool peices, daswulf. Did you use 0.23-0.25 wire? Edit - I mean on the stainless wings.

Edited January 17, 20179 yr by Adun Clebr
Clarification

2 hours ago, bigb said:

Really nice work. What kind of plasma cutter do you have? I am trying to decide which one to buy myself

But as big a one as you can. Mine is 110v and less then I need. It will struggle with 3/16" but thin stuff it will cut like butter. I'm thinking a more heavy duty cutter may be in the cards. 

 

1 hour ago, Adun Clebr said:

Those are some really cool peices, daswulf. Did you use 0.23-0.25 wire? Edit - I mean on the stainless wings.

I use .023 wire on most all I do. Works on body work and sculpture so far. I build up on larger stuff. But once I start making large sculptures I'd like to run a heavier duty welder with .030 or .035.  Or finally justify the tig. 

Thanks- it worked out great! Also thanks for catching/understanding I meant .023-.025 wire. My rookie mistake. Those 0.23-0.25 wire spools go in the BIG welders.

Lol it's ok, I read "blacksmith". We all get off exacts at times. No worries. 

Not sure what your numbers mean. Guessing 0.023 is imperial. I use 0.9mm in the MIG.