May 7, 20179 yr Been making a few praying mantids (or mantises if you like) so I thought it was time to make a big guy. This one stands 650 mm high. The body is a shaft from my son's Nissan race car gearbox, which makes the whole thing quite weighty. Took a bit of slogging in the forge to taper the end a bit. The front legs are made from a combination of bolts, flattened chain links and motorcycle sprocket pieces. Legs are rebar. Here he is (with a few of his smaller mates):
May 7, 20179 yr Awesome bug! I like how you straightened out those sproket pieces, Ill try that in the future. It's probly been discussed before but I havent seen it, do you clearcoat your creations? Scott.
May 7, 20179 yr Wow Aus, that is a nice Mantis! Those little guys are cute too. I know exactly how hard it is forging on those shafts. The closed wings look great. they all have a nice stance too.
May 8, 20179 yr Author 14 hours ago, Nodebt said: Awesome bug! I like how you straightened out those sproket pieces, Ill try that in the future. It's probably been discussed before but I havent seen it, do you clearcoat your creations? Scott. The big mantis is not coated ... just as I finished welding it. I will probably give it a spray of clear coat (that American stuff - Rustoleum Clear - is good) or sometimes, if it's likely to live outdoors, I will use Rustmasters. It's a little gummier than clear coat but holds up well in the weather. Alternatively you can just let them rust.
June 2, 20179 yr LOL looking again at them last two pics makes me think of holding cats. they struggle till they are in a position they are comfortable with and thats what it looks like.
June 8, 20179 yr Author Here's another one. Not as big as the giant one, but quite robust. The body is a steering worm drive from an old truck and it must be the hardest steel I have ever hammered. Even cut over half way through it was still difficult to bend at orange heat.
.thumb.JPG.02282a54c88e6a190e3ce9545787d4bf.JPG)
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.