January 25, 20179 yr For sometime I have just had the cards we attach to tourist stuff in a plastic holder. I had a thought today that in a forge plastic wasn't really appropriate. I make a lot of these shifty lizards so this one has become a card holder. I usually lock up the adjuster by flattening the thread in the forge, but this one is left adjustable so that as cards are removed, it can tighten up the pack. I only made it today and it has already had some comment from visitors. Should have made him ages ago!
January 25, 20179 yr Fantastic work mate. Do you think he would look good on a wall, scurrying up there as they do? well done Tom.
January 25, 20179 yr He's a cute little guy Aus. Hmm... You probably could make some with punched holes in the feet to go on walls.
January 25, 20179 yr I am gona have to barrow that Idea & make one for the auto shop I have here NICE Job !!
January 25, 20179 yr If you can spring load the jaw it will be self adjusting as the cards are removed. I really like the looks of that one.
January 25, 20179 yr Author 9 hours ago, Daswulf said: He's a cute little guy Aus. Hmm... You probably could make some with punched holes in the feet to go on walls. I have done that with geckoes, Das, with the wider, almost webbed feet. But these shifty lizards are really modelled on the ground dwelling dragon lizards which scurry around here. The kids called them tommy roundheads. I have made a few of them with the front leg raised as if waving. They do that. There are lots of theories about why ... perhaps some relief from the hot ground. In the west they are known as wavy lizards. Some people think I make the tails a bit long, but the tail makes up about 2/3 of the total body length. Das, you know how important proportion is in these things. Google tommy roundhead and see what I mean. Biggundoctor, I like the spring loaded idea, but can't get my head around the mechanism for that. Some experimenting necessary.
January 25, 20179 yr Yeah Aus, I googled them and the tail is spot on. closest thing we have here in my area are salamanders but they are amphibians and pretty small so... no fun lizards here. Maybe I should introduce some shifty lizards into the wild around here.
February 10, 20179 yr Author On 25/01/2017 at 11:05 PM, Daswulf said: He's a cute little guy Aus. Hmm... You probably could make some with punched holes in the feet to go on walls. I took you up on this suggestion today, Aric. This little fellow is meant to look like one of those geckoes we see on the walls every night here. Started with a railway fish plate bolt and used flattened bolts for legs. He's attached to the post above my forge at work and some visitors have already noticed it. I think I'll make the next one from plain round bar. The head is a bit too big.
February 10, 20179 yr Nice one Aus! Looks like he stands out just right. People that see it will probably wondering. I bet they would sell pretty well. If you need a little mass on the end of the round bar just upset it. And as usual, eye candy in the background
February 11, 20179 yr Author Thanks Das, and yes, I have a piece of 5/8 round bar ready for the next try but I always have problems upsetting. Maybe I don't get it hot enough, but it always wants to bend out sideways.
February 11, 20179 yr The key it to just get a good heat where you want it to expand. ( for me usually just on an end) Use a water can to cool any area outside of where you want. I do mine with the heated side down on the anvil and fairly rapid taps on the top of the piece. Not heavy blows. It does like to bend a bit so just correct it as you go. I have also heard to turn the piece as you hit it. This seems to help a bit but a lot of times it still bends a bit so I just correct as I go. I wish I was better at explaining things.
April 17, 20179 yr Author 4 hours ago, Happy Fish Forge said: Nice little critter, what did you use for his eyes ? Blobs of mig weld, but there are other ways. Hollow punches work well too.
April 17, 20179 yr 2 hours ago, ausfire said: Blobs of mig weld, but there are other ways. Hollow punches work well too. Thank you.
May 11, 20179 yr Just needs a frill! If you find keeping the cards in his gob a bit difficult, you could always turn up his front toes to hold the card base, and lean the cards against his front legs.
May 12, 20179 yr Author 15 hours ago, Jackdawg said: Just needs a frill! If you find keeping the cards in his gob a bit difficult, you could always turn up his front toes to hold the card base, and lean the cards against his front legs. > JD, Saw blades make a good frill.
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