Anyone care to explain "sculpting"?

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An explanation of how this is done would be great as would any YouTubes, http://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-us...t-planter.aspx, “He also used the Pro-Cut® 80's hand torch to sculpt the bird into shape.” I’ve been trying to find little birds for the longest time and have been coming up empty handed. This bird looks like it would work for me but have never been exposed to anything like what was described and wouldn’t know where to begin. --Also too.... is the Pro-Cut 80 hand torch comparable to the TurboTorch Extreme X-3B Torch Kit 0386-0335, https://www.airgas.com/product/Gas-E...p/VIC0386-0335 ?MM 211Smith Tru Lite O/A set, Thanks Bob!Lincoln AC-225--But you must not change one thing, one pebble, one grain of sand, until you know what good and evil will follow on that act. The world is in balance, in Equilibrium- Ursula K. Le Guin
Reply:Pro Cut 80 is a plasma cutter."USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:It's a fancy way of saying he cut the birds into shape, that's all Expert Garage Hack....https://www.facebook.com/steven.webber.948
Reply:Okay..... well.... that answers that question. Guess I won't be trying to make any little sculpted birdies anytime soon.  Back to figuring out if it's practical for me to learn how to cast little birdies!!!MM 211Smith Tru Lite O/A set, Thanks Bob!Lincoln AC-225--But you must not change one thing, one pebble, one grain of sand, until you know what good and evil will follow on that act. The world is in balance, in Equilibrium- Ursula K. Le Guin
Reply:If you took a grinder, and shaped little birdies, you would technically be sculpting them.... Some hair products are considered sculpting gels, etc.I just call it that crap you put in your hair Expert Garage Hack....https://www.facebook.com/steven.webber.948
Reply:I don't think a plasma cutter is in my future... you have to play the lottery to win and since I don't buy lottery tickets.... I won't hold my breath waiting to win enough $$$ to buy one but.... hmmmm.... maybe a good used one of these would help me sculpt little birdies, Bosch JS572EL,--MM 211Smith Tru Lite O/A set, Thanks Bob!Lincoln AC-225--But you must not change one thing, one pebble, one grain of sand, until you know what good and evil will follow on that act. The world is in balance, in Equilibrium- Ursula K. Le Guin
Reply:I got my plasma cutter for $400(Hypertherm 40amp unit). You just have to have patience and make sure you are looking! Mine is old and clunky, but it does its job every time I ask it to.
Reply:A good Oxy fuel torch setup will do anything plasma can on ferrous metals. Get a 00 tip for a small combo torch and even sheetmetal is cake.I would look at something like that. You can score good used sets on CL cheap. I've bought and sold a few.There are few things a torch can't do in the hands of a skilled operator.Expert Garage Hack....https://www.facebook.com/steven.webber.948
Reply:Sculpting is the removal of material not desired in the final product. Plain and simple, whether it be stone, metal, wood or what have you.
Reply:Originally Posted by Equilibrium Back to figuring out if it's practical for me to learn how to cast little birdies!!!
Reply:I know you don't want to beat little birdies with a hammer but if you had a o/a torch or a forge you could forge them.---Meltedmetal
Reply:I think the holidays must have done us all in.... we must be suffering from stuffing stupor or something since quite a few of us are starting to get slap happy. --gimpyrobb> patience.... I'll try real hard. It's not really one of my virtues though. I do love CL.... I just don't seem to be able to spot the good deals on my own but no problem.... I've got a personal shopper whose been helping me which is why almost all of the tools I have other than my welder and one bench grinder are gently used but in excellent working condition.  --7A749> I don't know that I'm ready for an Oxy fuel torch setup... Bisteneau tried to get me into that a few months ago. Baby steps.... I just got the mini torch (compliments of my personal shopper) because I had fun using somebody else's mini-torch so I'll work on getting a B tank for mine so I can get going playing on my own. I think a season of the mini and I should be able to move onto the big boys O/A, right?  Then you can start looking for an O/A set up that would work for me!!! --Bisteneau> well then whittling would be "sculpting" too. I barely finished the whittling class I took because I kept getting visions of my fingertips sailing across the classroom leaving a bloody trail and told the teacher that. I did much better after he gave me dove bar soap to work on.  I felt sorta odd man out... everybody had wood and I had soap but that's ok.... I finished the class and didn't damage myself in the process.  In case you haven't noticed.... I'm a little bit of a chickensh!t when it comes to things like chainsaws, heavy portabands, and BIG torches. --DSW> I really don't like fishing.... but being as how I hate English house sparrows and Eurpoean starlings.... I might make an exception if I actually thought I could bait a line with one of those feathered rats and actually catch something. MM 211Smith Tru Lite O/A set, Thanks Bob!Lincoln AC-225--But you must not change one thing, one pebble, one grain of sand, until you know what good and evil will follow on that act. The world is in balance, in Equilibrium- Ursula K. Le Guin
Reply:http://www.instructables.com/id/More...ng-a-Steel-Bi/Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Originally Posted by Equilibrium--Bistineau> well then whittling would be "sculpting" too. I barely finished the whittling class I took because I kept getting visions of my fingertips sailing across the classroom leaving a bloody trail and told the teacher that. I did much better after he gave me dove bar soap to work on.  I felt sorta odd man out... everybody had wood and I had soap but that's ok.... I finished the class and didn't damage myself in the process.  In case you haven't noticed.... I'm a little bit of a chickensh!t when it comes to things like chainsaws, heavy portabands, and BIG torches.
Reply:Im with him ^^. It's better to cry once, not twice.Regards,RobGreat Basin WeldingInstagramBlue weldersRed weldersMy luscious Table DIY TIG Torch cooler
Reply:Everything in that bird sculpture could be made with basic hand tools if you wanted to make it that bad. It really just comes down to a time frame of how bad you want to make it, if you want to sell it for profit, and a open minded skill level of how you can get it done with what you have at hand as far as tools go. You can do it. Trust me. And it will open your mind to new ideas on how to work with what you have. Go for it!I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:Originally Posted by EquilibriumI think the holidays must have done us all in.... we must be suffering from stuffing stupor or something since quite a few of us are starting to get slap happy. --gimpyrobb> patience.... I'll try real hard. It's not really one of my virtues though. I do love CL.... I just don't seem to be able to spot the good deals on my own but no problem.... I've got a personal shopper whose been helping me which is why almost all of the tools I have other than my welder and one bench grinder are gently used but in excellent working condition.  --7A749> I don't know that I'm ready for an Oxy fuel torch setup... Bisteneau tried to get me into that a few months ago. Baby steps.... I just got the mini torch (compliments of my personal shopper) because I had fun using somebody else's mini-torch so I'll work on getting a B tank for mine so I can get going playing on my own. I think a season of the mini and I should be able to move onto the big boys O/A, right?  Then you can start looking for an O/A set up that would work for me!!! --Bisteneau> well then whittling would be "sculpting" too. I barely finished the whittling class I took because I kept getting visions of my fingertips sailing across the classroom leaving a bloody trail and told the teacher that. I did much better after he gave me dove bar soap to work on.  I felt sorta odd man out... everybody had wood and I had soap but that's ok.... I finished the class and didn't damage myself in the process.  In case you haven't noticed.... I'm a little bit of a chickensh!t when it comes to things like chainsaws, heavy portabands, and BIG torches. --DSW> I really don't like fishing.... but being as how I hate English house sparrows and Eurpoean starlings.... I might make an exception if I actually thought I could bait a line with one of those feathered rats and actually catch something.
Reply:It's a dragonfly not a bird but you'll get the concept.---Meltedmetal
Reply:See, I'm not the only enabler trying to get you into using a forge or OA torch! We'll turn you to the Dark Side yet! .No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Originally Posted by MeltedmetalIt's a dragonfly not a bird but you'll get the concept.---Meltedmetal
Reply:Originally Posted by 7A749When you come up here next year I'll give you some instruction on Oxy fuel. I'm not an expert but I can get the job done. Really, it's one of the most flexible processes available and there's not a lot to it. Once you understand regulator settings, tip selection and cutting speeds/preheat there's not much you can't do with one.
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWYou'll also have to let her play some with the forge you have.
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWSee, I'm not the only enabler trying to get you into using a forge or OA torch! We'll turn you to the Dark Side yet!
Reply:By metal sculpting.... I was hoping for a 3D bird similar to this, ----I would like about 5 of them to put in nests as gifts for personal friends and one neighbor. I would like a little nest that could be hung on a kitchen wall similar to this, ----The little bird Broccoli1 found is the best 2D bird I've seen so far however I'd still like to hold out for a way to make a 3D bird. Thank you for finding the little bird with the riveted wing Broccoli1. It is adorable and I could easily make it. ----I've worked with tin before and was able to achieve really professional results with surprisingly little effort. I can't imagine working with thin sheet metal would be all that different and I do know how to use tin snips and how to rivet. Although this isn't my dove, mine was similar. I also made a turkey and a raven. I kept the raven....it's around here in a box somewhere. ----Bisteneau> I am definitely interested in a larger torch because I really had a good time using somebody else's mini torch. Just not now before I've had the chance to play with the torch I bought. Slowly but surely all you enablers are separating me from more and more of my $$$. Funny.... just a few months ago if somebody would have told me I'd own a torch of any size and be interested in buying a light weight portaband.... I would have laughed. --Robert Hall> the mini torch can always be used for brazing trellises and the like.  My MIL wants 3 of them for her patio pots. --weldermike> It's a 3D bird I'd like to make really really really bad. It's why I was exploring casting but.... casting anything other than pewter or aluminum would require a considerable time commitment and an investment in equipment I'm not willing to make for a hobby. I'd do it if.... I was actually interested in starting up a cottage business but... I'm not. I was hoping the sculpting could achieve the "look" I wanted but it can't. --I've been looking for a way to make little 3D realistic steel birdies for several months.... when I couldn't find an easy way... I started looking around for the little steel bird figurines I could purchase. They're always attached to something in stores with a price tag of $19.99 or more.... I can't rationalize buying something just to hack off the part I want then pitching the rest and besides which.... I'd really rather give a gift of something that I made myself anyway if that makes sense so as I see it, I've got two options. A cast pewter bird that's JB Welded into the nest or a 2D bird with a riveted wing that gives it some dimension. This just may be one of those times where I'm going to have to give up my "vision" of what I had in mind.--7A749> plasma just cuts.... right? It doesn't actually sculpt the way I was thinking it could.MM 211Smith Tru Lite O/A set, Thanks Bob!Lincoln AC-225--But you must not change one thing, one pebble, one grain of sand, until you know what good and evil will follow on that act. The world is in balance, in Equilibrium- Ursula K. Le Guin
Reply:Yeah actual casting of metal is some what limited in some ways. You'll need a lot of equipment to cast iron or steel. It's well beyond the average hobbyist stage. Alum can be easily cast in home foundry rigs. Bronze can be done but is trickier from what I understand. Lead is dead easy to cast at home. I may have  a solution for lead casts off an original. I have some high temp silicone rubber that I used to make a mold one time to do special dive weights with. Sadly the original silicon mold I made mysteriously "disappeared" when I left my job at the dive shop. I'm betting the shop owner snitched it for himself and just claimed they couldn't locate it. Temps are borderline with hot lead from what I remember. I also had someone give me some plaster like casting material at the time to try if that failed to work. I'd have to dig and see if I can locate it and find out if there is any name on the package. Lead birds might be way too heavy for what you want though, and alum casts a a much higher temp, so that sort of rules out using my materials to do direct casts that way. My local community college apparently has an metal casting class in their art department. I looked briefly into it this year, but I'd have to take at least one prerequisite class 1st, or get instructor approval. I was too busy this year with work to look into it farther. Some thing like this would be the "easy' way to do castings. that would save you from the need to get all the casting flasks, casting sand, furnace etc. I saw a pretty neat PBS show where they were using 3d computer modeled items that they then used a 3d printer to print out the casting masters for use in lost wax castings. the plastic was melted out just as if it was wax.I have a feeling to get you nice 3D birds, we are going to have to locate you a source where you can simply buy them inexpensively. I know they are out there, the question is just where and how many you need to get to get a decent price. I think when this came up before some one suggested King Metals but you didn't care for what they had..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald ReaganSo instant gratification is what you had in mind? It don't work like that. Work hard get praised hard, or go to Target. They'll have something close enough. They are one off pieces for a reason.I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:Doug, that lead bird just won't fly!    Regards,RobGreat Basin WeldingInstagramBlue weldersRed weldersMy luscious Table DIY TIG Torch cooler
Reply:It's not that hard to do. Here is a picture of a humming bird on a flower. I have made probably a dozen of them. They are torch cut out of 1" solid square. I draw it out looking from the top and from the side then cut it both directions with the torch. Then I shave off the edges with the torch until it is very close, then grind it. I don't have to grind much as you can see some torch marks on them. The wings and tail are 1/8" sheet that is welded on. They are really very easy to do. I've also made sparrows and finches. Attached Images
Reply:DSW> "You'll need a lot of equipment to cast iron or steel. It's well beyond the average hobbyist stage." That's what I learned after spending many hours online reading. If I go this route, I'd get help from MeltedMetal and run with pewter not steel which is ideally what I would have liked to cast the birds in so they could be welded into the nest. The pewter would be a nice contrast to the rusted steel nails I'd use to make the nests and it melts at a really low temperature so I'd be able to use a readily available silicone mold that could be purchased for less than $40 as opposed to having to figure out how to make my own mold for steel, http://www.penguinlovestore.com/sili...p-candle-mold/. --weldermike> no... not instant gratification but... easy on my time and easy on my wallet since I'm giving the nests away as gifts. I'd really like to be able to complete each nest in 3-4 hours while containing the costs at $25 a piece yet.... the end result needs to be something I'd hang on my own wall. I love my friends and my neighbor.... I just don't want to take too much time away from actual welding. There's way too much left to learn and only one of me. Soon as I've got a few more years of welding experience... I'll seriously consider a complimentary hobby like blacksmithing or forging or maybe even casting steel but maybe not. By then we could be living on a new property with more land and who knows.... I might abandon any thoughts of complimentary hobbies in favor of trying my hand at dairy goats. --Bob> that 3D hummingbird is along the lines of what I've been searching for. I had no clue a torch could do that. Exactly what kind of a torch did you use to create your little birds and have you video taped yourself making them? Thanks so much for taking the time to post your hummers.MM 211Smith Tru Lite O/A set, Thanks Bob!Lincoln AC-225--But you must not change one thing, one pebble, one grain of sand, until you know what good and evil will follow on that act. The world is in balance, in Equilibrium- Ursula K. Le Guin
Reply:you can try sculpting, like the ones done in wood. a soft slab of metal, say perhaps aluminum. you could do it like how they make CNC cut alloy wheel rims for SUV. You could take out the lagrger parts with a grinder then perhaps a dremel tool for the finer details. Just a suggestion
Reply:Plus one! on the acetelyn torch. very versatile  tool for artist-metalworker
Reply:It was done with my 50 year old Victor cutting torch.If you want a torch then PM me your address and I'll send you one, with regulators. The torch is an old one but actually cuts great. It takes Victor tips. I can't be sure the regulators work but they look good. You may need to get them rebuilt but would still be cheaper for you than buying new. I probably own 20 or more torches and I will just let this one go for free. Let me know if you want them. Bob
Reply:Whoa…. I totally missed posts #17-#23. I don’t know how that happened… I never saw them until I started re-reading this thread. Maybe something to do with my cache because it takes me so long loading photos or because I left the thread up and walked away for a while to clean house before posting in it again? Really sorry about that because I just spotted all those thoughtful replies and the YouTube Meltedmetal posted is really interesting.  Thanks for the YouTube Meltedmetal!!!--7A749> “When you come up here next year I'll give you some instruction on Oxy fuel.” I’ll take your instruction!!! I have had instruction using the mini-torch so that should help a little. --” Once you get the basics of Oxy fuel down, you wonder how you ever lived without it. I kinda knew this would hold true otherwise Bisteneau wouldn’t have been suggesting I get into an O/A set up.  --Bisteneau> I used the mini-torch as a heat source to bend lengths of rod I used for a rabbit skinning device I made. It was my 1st attempt and it was fun. I also used it to solder copper to copper repairing two little trellises I was given as a gift for my garden. I do have an anvil of sorts…. It’s a DIY section of RR tie I welded to a piece of plate that I welded a piece of 2” x 2” tube to so it can be used in a receiver. I will look for a real anvil next summer… promise. One will show up sooner or later either at Wilmot or a farm auction. --DSW > I’ll cross over to the dark side for a day and play with his forge.   That’s actually something I’ve always wanted to try.  --silvertina> I have a dremel tool!!! And… I’ve got all the accessories for it and know how to use it. --Bob> “I draw it out looking from the top and from the side then cut it both directions with the torch.” I read this again. I actually understand exactly what you are saying because of the whittling class I took. I made a little seal complete with flippers and that’s exactly how we were taught to start out. Not so sure about shaving off edges with a torch but can work on figuring that out. Grinding…. I’m much better at that these days.  --I can honestly say that if I had realized a bigger torch could make little figurines…. I would have been scouring Craigslist on a regular basis trying to find one so thank you very much for offering to share one of yours with me.MM 211Smith Tru Lite O/A set, Thanks Bob!Lincoln AC-225--But you must not change one thing, one pebble, one grain of sand, until you know what good and evil will follow on that act. The world is in balance, in Equilibrium- Ursula K. Le Guin
Reply:This was the thread I was looking for with detailed photos of the hummingbirds in it!!! I've got a torch set (thank you Bob) and now all I need is a block of steel. The regulators were perfectly fine!!! --I'm going to try this!!! I'll post photos of my attempt soon as I locate steel bars I can play with. I absolutely love these little hummers!!!MM 211Smith Tru Lite O/A set, Thanks Bob!Lincoln AC-225--But you must not change one thing, one pebble, one grain of sand, until you know what good and evil will follow on that act. The world is in balance, in Equilibrium- Ursula K. Le Guin
Reply:Those track clips you had in the other thread would probably be large enough to work with if you have any left, or can "source" a few more..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:I'm going out later on today to pick up more RR spikes with a friend to send out to another member here. Slim pickins' at the last few tracks we hiked and to boot... they were picked pretty clean and elevated so it made the going tough. I know I lost my footing a few times and slid down in the gravel so we're hoping the tracks we're going to today are more level. The hummingbird bodies are slender so if I can score a few of the clips... I'm game to try!!! Thanks for suggesting them!!!MM 211Smith Tru Lite O/A set, Thanks Bob!Lincoln AC-225--But you must not change one thing, one pebble, one grain of sand, until you know what good and evil will follow on that act. The world is in balance, in Equilibrium- Ursula K. Le Guin
Reply:The hummers were 3/4" square.I so wished you lived closer. While I'm still doing smaller jobs, I am basically retired. I have people come here for scrap all the time as well as letting people use the shop for their projects.
Reply:DSW> Track clips didn't work. I forgot they weren't solid. The RR spikes are solid but they're only 3/4" and I'm seeing 1" was used so.... the hunt is on. ----Bob> I so wish you lived closer too. I'm retired also and any shop that comes complete with a brain trust would be right up my alley!!! I don't need scrap per se..... I'm pretty sure my "scrap" breeds at night while we're sleeping.  Just kidding but I'm always on the lookout for it and have learned that sooner or later I find what I want/need or a piece of metal that will work.--Thought I'd attach this for you since it's one of the many reasons I like welding so much... aside from the good company of welding with someone who really gets into welding and who can toss a bucket of water on me or call 911 if necessary---MM 211Smith Tru Lite O/A set, Thanks Bob!Lincoln AC-225--But you must not change one thing, one pebble, one grain of sand, until you know what good and evil will follow on that act. The world is in balance, in Equilibrium- Ursula K. Le Guin