Finish and Deliver

The feathers were forged from 14 gage mild steel, acid etched, patinated, and then clear enameled.

The final finish was done with two coats of clear enamel.

I like how the color comes up through the black.

This picture and the other two detail pictures of the pedstal were taken by Rick Paulson.

The pedistal was delivered to the client and the Chief Joseph statue entilted "Freedom" rests comfortably.

Chief Joseph looks up at the eagle as it begins to take flight.

My camera phone picture doesn't do David Manuel's art justice.

Thank you R & C for believing in me and supporting my passion.

Welding and Painting

30 days flew by while I was working on two projects at the same time. let's see if I can get the blog caught up to today without writing a book.

I riveted all the symbols on the pedestal parts instead of welding to preserve the sharp detail.

Then all the parts were welded together.

The metal leather was stretched over the drum top and held with metal rawhide

It was a sunny day so moved the stand outside to get a good look at the shadows and texture.

The first day of painting started with primer.

Two days later I painted it red. 

Two days later I painted it orange.

Two days later I painted it black.  

Leg Bars and Parts Cleaning

1/2" Thick bars are heavily textured in the forge then grooved on the fly press.

Bars are heated again after grooving.

Then hammered into a curved wooden die that match the radius I need.

I clean the forging scale off the parts by soaking them in vinegar for 2 to 4 days.

This is what they look like after a lot of wire brushing.

 

  

The paper template is used to drill the holes for the rivets that will hold on symbols.

I spent a lot of time here cutting angles and correct lengths between legs.

I'm getting close to welding it all together.

Drum Top & Arrow Feather Legs

Out of the mouth of the dragon comes the textured side of the drum.

This is one rut I don't mind staying in.

Waiting to be rolled into circles.

This ring of steel is being magically changed into a piece of leather.

Once the metal is joined together it will become a drum top.

Every arrow needs a fletching to fly straight.

Tomorrow the fletching will be bent to match the contour of the legs and welded on.

Forging The Legs

Once inch round stock is heated to 2000 degrees Fahrenheit.

Heated stock is forged in the fly press.

 All the legs are textured.

The three pads bending the leg are made of aluminum so the texture is not crushed.

The curvature of the leg is checked with a template. 

Chief Joseph Pedestal

As the year draws to an end I’ve been commissioned to make a pedestal for a bronze statue. The pedestal will be 24” tall, 16” wide at the top and 27” wide at the bottom.

This is a prototype leg detail. The shaft is made from 1” forged steel. The arrow feathers are forged from 1/4” plate.

Happy holidays from the “Little House Forge”

Belt Buckle for RJD

A local student wanted a belt buckle made for her Dad for Christmas. Here I’m forging the D.

All the pieces are made so let’s get them welded.

After the backside clips were welded I gave it a gunmetal blue patina and finished it with two coats of clear matt enamel.

Sign Holders

I started by forging the brackets and cutting the bases

The shorter stand with the flower pot holder went to a local book artist .

Here’s the taller sign holder with its sign.

Glass Top Table

The legs were forged 3/4" square stock with twists, tapers, and beadings.

The base is 13" x 13" x 23" tall. This is the kind of stuff that really gets me excited.

My wife made the fused glass top. The finish is gunmetal blue patina with a paste wax top coat.

WASHINGTON COUNTY OPEN STUDIOS

This was the third year I had my studio open for the tour.

Had a good turnout and the kids had fun watdhing the fire.