BlasterJoe Posted December 6, 2017 Share Posted December 6, 2017 I was recently asked to make 22 feathers for a cemetery restoration for our town. The graves from the late 1800’s to the turn of the century have been lost or neglected. The historians know that the cemetery was segregated and that 22 of the graves were native Americans. They know the location but very few of the names. The feathers will be attached to the markers made by someone else. Probly crosses. I made this feather tonight as kind of a rough draft. I left it thick because it will be tack welded to the marker. Any critique would be appreciated. Also some pictures of other forged feathers would be helpful. im thinking I could do a better transition from feather to quill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLAG Posted December 6, 2017 Share Posted December 6, 2017 Blaster, Nice job, Good start. SLAG. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jasent Posted December 6, 2017 Share Posted December 6, 2017 Try angle iron. When hammered flat the corner is thicker and this helps define the quill. Jason Nass makes very nice feathers and has videos on it on his page Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted December 6, 2017 Share Posted December 6, 2017 Environment and finish? Some places stainless steel would work well, others a natural patina is fine. Anything requiring regular maintenance is probably not a good idea! (Don't use brass or copper due to theft issues) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlasterJoe Posted December 18, 2017 Author Share Posted December 18, 2017 Well did a couple more after hammering down prices and such. Thomas being in the desert I’m going with natural patina. Just a coat of beeswax. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reeltree Posted December 18, 2017 Share Posted December 18, 2017 How about a fork ( V ) in the end for more definition Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jasent Posted December 19, 2017 Share Posted December 19, 2017 My first feather. Made from 1x1 angle iron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlasterJoe Posted December 19, 2017 Author Share Posted December 19, 2017 That’s very cool looking. I really like the ridge of the quill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Turley Posted December 19, 2017 Share Posted December 19, 2017 This steel feather was made by Doug Wilson of Little Deer Isle, Maine. I think he folded it lengthwise to have the quill standing proud. He didn't try for the angled effect coming off the quill, but rather forged the feather flat and fairly thin. The quill outlines on the obverse look as though they might have been set down with a set hammer; they are very clean workmanship. The shape of the feather is important and well done. It's a tail feather and I've put next to it a turkey feather painted and disguised to be an eagle feather. I think Doug rolled and forge welded the quill end, but I wasn't there when he made it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jasent Posted December 19, 2017 Share Posted December 19, 2017 Thanks. It's made from 1x1 angle iron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Stephens Posted December 19, 2017 Share Posted December 19, 2017 Forged and chased aluminum. 8" long Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted December 19, 2017 Share Posted December 19, 2017 Frank, I think your turkey feather points out something that would bring a little more life to these forged feathers. The split veins by the quill that fold a little towards the quill slightly. I did that on one feather attempt and liked the outcome. Unfortunately I cannot find a picture of it but I deffinately like the look of the ones made from angle iron. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jasent Posted December 19, 2017 Share Posted December 19, 2017 1 hour ago, Daswulf said: Frank, I think your turkey feather points out something that would bring a little more life to these forged feathers. The split veins by the quill that fold a little towards the quill slightly. I tried that with mine but chiseled a little hard and a bit too cool and busted the peace from the quill. If you zoom in the lower right side of the feather you can see the bit that broke off. Next one I'll be sure to add that while much warmer as I agree it adds to the realism. I added my makers mark on this one and you'll see I deformed the texture a bit in the lower right. Next time I'll center it over the quill so not to mess up the texture. Learned a lot on this one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlasterJoe Posted March 30, 2018 Author Share Posted March 30, 2018 Just finished the order for all 22. The client was very happy. I learned a lot through the process. By the end I was working 3 at once and got my time down to a half hour apiece. I didn’t make any money on it but it is for a good cause and good exposure. Forgot to pictures. The last one is my first one and last one. Big difference Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ausfire Posted March 30, 2018 Share Posted March 30, 2018 Nice job BJ. Did you draw out the shape with a cross preen hammer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlasterJoe Posted March 30, 2018 Author Share Posted March 30, 2018 Yup. Fullered the quill out and used a cross pien for the texture. I have a railroad spike tomahawk I made along time ago that I use to chop in the edge splits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arkie Posted March 31, 2018 Share Posted March 31, 2018 Very nice work. I think they will look just fine on whatever markers they use. I've never gotten around to making feathers...your work has inspired me to give it a try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gergely Posted April 4, 2018 Share Posted April 4, 2018 Nice work! Congrats. This again brings VaughnT's words into my mind (paraphrased to my level of English): for your craft skills it's far better to do one project many times and see how to got advanced in it than begin new projects every time and suffer from failure and being slow. Bests to you: Gergely Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 I've been really cleaning up my shop and came across a larger feather I forged from 1 1/4" rebar earlier off. Tried some different ideas with it but ultimately it's just large and kind of unfinished. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cavpilot2k Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 NIce! That thing is HUGE! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 Doubtless channeling Daedalus! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
windancer Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 I am a steel feather fan. Lots of nice ones here! Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 Don't think Icarus would get far trying to fly with steel feathers. If I ever make more large feathers it will be after I get a power hammer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 Well he didn't do well with the wax ones... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daswulf Posted August 8, 2018 Share Posted August 8, 2018 Titanium? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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