Some art stuff

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So this is how word of mouth works.  A customer of mine has a relative that is an artist.  My name came up and the whole deal was worked out over the phone because the artist lives 3hrs away.  All I had to work with was a full scale tracing of one of his wood pieces and a few pictures.  I had to draw it up in CAD myself.  The first time we met was tonight when he picked it up.The two sides were cut on a water jet machine and I hand fit all the filler pieces.  Then welded it up, ground it down, and primered.  He is going to paint the design on it.I AM NOT THE ARTIST.  I just put it together.  The artist's name is Shannon Sargent.I am not going to discuss cost because I don't know what kind of value it has.  All I will say is that I got paid hourly to construct it just like anything else I do.A few details.....75 ft of tig weld on 12 gauge CR sheet.28 hand fit pieces, 2 WJ pieces.It is 10" deep and about 5' from tip to tip.It weighs maybe 125-150 lbs. Attached ImagesLast edited by Boostinjdm; 11-18-2012 at 12:51 AM.My name's not Jim....
Reply:Looks cool.......Looks like it took a decent amount of time too.......75 feet of TIG....... Sweet!Precision TIG 185 and MP 210Bobcat 225NTCutmaster 42O/A tanks.... 2 Argon tanks...... 2 C25 TanksFacebook...... F2 Metal WorksETSY....... https://www.etsy.com/shop/F2MetalWorksF2MetalWorks.com....... http://www.f2metalworks.com/
Reply:That is very cool! How do you price a job like that out? All by hour?
Reply:Originally Posted by aDreamSoRealThat is very cool! How do you price a job like that out? All by hour?
Reply:I see a rooster shooting a lighting bolt out of his azz I have never understood "modern art" Its cool nonetheless tho. Good work Not Jim. If you cant fix it with a hammer, it must be an electrical problem."Boy, everyone starts with a full bag of luck and an empty bag of experience. The trick is to fill the bag of experience before the bag of luck is empty."-Grandad circa 1990ish
Reply:Like I said before, I'm not into art.  I don't understand making something just to look at.  For me, everything needs to do something or serve some other purpose besides just sitting there.Having said that....I'll build this stuff all day long if someone else designs it and has money.  It's no different to me than building a skid loader bucket or fixing hog house gates.  I get paid either way.My name's not Jim....
Reply:Well, like it or not, sure looks like ya did a fine job building it!(Retired) Professional firefighter, amateur everything else I try to do...Oh yeah:  Go Big Red!   (You know: one of the 12 members of the Big 10 cuz we left the 10 members of the Big 12...)
Reply:Originally Posted by BoostinjdmLike I said before, I'm not into art.  I don't understand making something just to look at.  For me, everything needs to do something or serve some other purpose besides just sitting there.Having said that....I'll build this stuff all day long if someone else designs it and has money.  It's no different to me than building a skid loader bucket or fixing hog house gates.  I get paid either way.
Reply:Originally Posted by Boostinjdm ...  The first time we met was tonight when he picked it up.
Reply:Originally Posted by larpheadDo you get recognition on the display? I.E. a little tag that says "welding work done by Not Jim of such and such Iowa"
Reply:Looks great. Why did you tig it instead of mig it?
Reply:Originally Posted by BobLooks great. Why did you tig it instead of mig it?
Reply:From what I can see through the primer, your finish sanding is top notch. Good work.
Reply:Originally Posted by HCFFrom what I can see through the primer, your finish sanding is top notch. Good work.
Reply:Can't say I understand the sculpture, But fabrication and welding absolutely first class/ A piece of work to be truly proud of,Lincoln SP-170 MigHypertherm powermax 45Lorch T220 AC/DC TigButters FM 215 synergic MigKemppi 180 adaptive mig RULES ARE FOR THE OBEDIENCE OF FOOLS AND THE  GUIDANCE OF WISE MEN.
Reply:Awesome job.      Yep, a rooster for sure or a powerful chicken !
Reply:Looks good! If your gonna be doing more of the steel ones, you might consider 3/16 material and mig. Probably cut weld time in half, and no warping. JMHO
Reply:Nice work, man.  I'd probably have hosed myself with the labor quote end of things.-AaronJet 17.5" Drill Press1942 South Bend 16x84 Lathe1980s Miller 320A / BP --- 2013 Power Mig 2562012 Jet 7x12 Horizontal BandsawVictor O/A Setup
Reply:I agree with many of the comments: 1. Beautiful work2. I don't get it3. Mig: would be interesting to see if you could do it mig and save a pile of timeThanks for keeping us in the loop!Miller diversion 165Miller mig 211Hypertherm pm 30Milwaukee 6230 14 inch chop sawMd 45 mag drill (RIP; fell on its head)New MD 45! Thanks to the esposa!Finally got an O/A setup
Reply:Nice job!! Like many I dont get it?? You got paid,came close to your estimant,customer is happy. Life is good in nw Iowa
Reply:nice metalwork job thats a lot of tig welding!  i dont understand the design either but so much for artsy people.Everlast PowerTIG 185
Reply:ART - you don't have to understand it, you just have to appreciate it. _______________________________________www.sawblade.com
Reply:you are right. the designer obviosly knows what he wanted and has been able to sell it.  i definetly appreciate the metalwork!Everlast PowerTIG 185
Reply:Looking at Not Jim's work, the question is who is the real artist here, Not Jim or the other guy. Great Job.
Reply:Nice work,great detail. I wonder what the shape is about? I mean is it a meaning of something?A designof a company,or??Originally Posted by larpheadI see a rooster shooting a lighting bolt out of his azz
Reply:So....the artist emailed me again and wants the first one repeated in aluminum.  He also sent another design he would like in aluminum.  I gave him a rough estimate, but I'm thinking I may have to bump it up a bit for comfort.  The question.....Does anybody have a way to convert a hand drawing in PDF form to something I can eventually import into AutoCAD for clean up and to send to the cutter?  Maybe I could print it out and re-scan it as a jpeg or bmp or something.  I really don't want to measure by hand and scale up.  If I convert it, then I can stay as close as possible to his design.My name's not Jim....
Reply:Originally Posted by BoostinjdmSo....the artist emailed me again and wants the first one repeated in aluminum.  He also sent another design he would like in aluminum.  I gave him a rough estimate, but I'm thinking I may have to bump it up a bit for comfort.  The question.....Does anybody have a way to convert a hand drawing in PDF form to something I can eventually import into AutoCAD for clean up and to send to the cutter?  Maybe I could print it out and re-scan it as a jpeg or bmp or something.  I really don't want to measure by hand and scale up.  If I convert it, then I can stay as close as possible to his design.
Reply:Forgot to comment on the Work!  I think you did a superb job on the metal and I can see why he wants you to make more of them...  Well Done!  Keeping your name away from his designs will likely keep you BUSY with his work and may even bring you more business..  Keep in mind that Artists do NOT like to 'share credit', but DO have a lot of 'Artist Friends' and keeping your name off of their Artwork may very well prevent them from straying to another welder...  Lest we forget that the 'Money Pool' is Ridiculously Deep in the Art World and being connected to that can be very, very lucrative indeed... (Recession or Not).    About the piece and design...I've actually seen a design almost EXACTLY like this from a Designer out of California, but for the life of me I can't remember his name (members here may know his work...).  Anyway, his are made like this (although a bit larger), but then turned 'Flat' (they don't have the stand as you have in the photos) and are used as 'Coffee Tables' or 'Room Tables' (for the person with too 'many rooms' i suppose..).  They are usually finished with geometric feet (spheres, arcs, etc...) and clear or 'slightly smoked' Heavy Glass tops that sit on clear silicon buttons, thus showing the 'Artwork' or 'Table' from all angles.  They are Very Impressive and sell for BIG dollars ($2000.00 - $10,000.00+) and while many are powder-coated steel, most are made from Aluminum with very fine Flap Disc patterns, etc...Also, I would definitely take him up on his offer and attempt a smaller piece in Copper...  It's super difficult to Weld properly (most are brazed), but when those kinds of welds are done right (no pitting, creasing), copper pieces looks PHENOMENAL.  They'll probably make you a good bit of cash too, seeing as how much work goes into making copper pieces that can ONLY be welded (mostly) and not 'formed'.Cheers and Good Luck,/J...Miller Diversion 165120 amp Buzz BoxVictor Oxy/Ace Oxy/LPGSmith "Little" Oxy/LPGHypertherm Powermax 30Lot's of Misc. tools n' crap....
Reply:Originally Posted by BoostinjdmSo....the artist emailed me again and wants the first one repeated in aluminum.  He also sent another design he would like in aluminum.  I gave him a rough estimate, but I'm thinking I may have to bump it up a bit for comfort.  The question.....Does anybody have a way to convert a hand drawing in PDF form to something I can eventually import into AutoCAD for clean up and to send to the cutter?  Maybe I could print it out and re-scan it as a jpeg or bmp or something.  I really don't want to measure by hand and scale up.  If I convert it, then I can stay as close as possible to his design.
Reply:I got it handled.  I was thinking too hard.I just opened the pdf, selected the object, right click copy.  Then opened CAD and right clicked paste.  Duh....Trace over top with line tool and delete the pasted object.Who would have thought it would be that easy?My name's not Jim....
Reply:Very nice work. Sculpture fab is my main business.If your client wants to do one in copper, you might suggest silicon bronze. It's available as sheet, and has much higher strength and better weldability than copper. Traditional bronze color, takes patinas very well.JohnA few weldersA lot of hammersA whole lot of C-clamps
Reply:First loominum one all tacked up.  I'm going to get the second tacked as well before doing the finish welding. Attached ImagesMy name's not Jim....
Reply:Got this one all welded up... Attached ImagesMy name's not Jim....
Reply:Customer agreed to do the final finishing work to save some $$$.  So these are ready to go out the door.  Prolly better that way cuz I'm sure they'll get scratched in transit.  He also wanted to do a little painting on them so a polished surface wouldn't be good. Attached ImagesMy name's not Jim....
Reply:Must be nice to have genuine talent. Friggin' awesome.  POVERTY...is the Mother of InventionMillermatic 211Millermatic 140Miller Thunderbolt XLArcOne 100STS inverter w/TIGThermal Dynamics 38XL Victor Oxy/AcetyleneJancy Slugger Holemaker IIJet 5x6 BandsawNever enough time & sleep.
Reply:Originally Posted by SMC WeldcraftMust be nice to have genuine talent. Friggin' awesome.
Reply:I just accepted the challenge to build 4 more in aluminum.  Different designs, and bigger...I'm gonna need more tools.My name's not Jim....
Reply:I'm an "artsy type" but I don't get abstract work like this. Hmmm...maybe if I saw it in the context of where it's going..but....standing alone...nah, I don't get it.Millermatic 211 Miller Blue Fire 140@swiftwelding on Instagram
Reply:Originally Posted by BoostinjdmCustomer agreed to do the final finishing work to save some $$$.  So these are ready to go out the door.  Prolly better that way cuz I'm sure they'll get scratched in transit.  He also wanted to do a little painting on them so a polished surface wouldn't be good.
Reply:I'm done welding and rough grinding of the new batch now.  These are bigger than the last ones.  So I need a quick way to remove the oxide layer to speed up the finishing.  Sanding works, but it is slow and there are a few tight spots that have to be done with elbow grease.  I'm running out of time in the budget as well.  What will take off the hard oxide layer quickly so I can get to the soft stuff?  Sandblasting?  Chemical?My name's not Jim....
Reply:None of those aluminum welds crack after being ground down?You can probably sandblast with glass media at a LOW psi like 60-70 that may remove the oxide layer.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Originally Posted by BoostinjdmGot this one all welded up...
Reply:Group photo as they are now.  The tall one is 7'.  The small ones are 2'. Attached ImagesMy name's not Jim....
Reply:Originally Posted by GambleNone of those aluminum welds crack after being ground down?
Reply:Originally Posted by GambleNone of those aluminum welds crack after being ground down?You can probably sandblast with glass media at a LOW psi like 60-70 that may remove the oxide layer.
Reply:Done and gone!  Done, and gone.I forgot to take pics before they went out the door.  I ended up sand blasting the inside corners and sanding the rest with my electric DA sander.My name's not Jim....
Reply:Looks great. What scares me is how many people that say they aren't into art, or don't get it. You just look at it, stupid. You like it? You hate it? Art done.Big **** off 4 phase Lincoln TorchesTools
Reply:Originally Posted by BoostinjdmGot this one all welded up...
Reply:I understand the work, I create work just for beauties sake, as the value or use there is that someone feels the work makes their home more... homey.  I also get finding a master to create the piece if one can't do it themselves. I print photographic works for those who feel I can do a better job for them than they can. Im happy to help others realize their work through collaboration. That being said, I really appreciate the artisan that can go from concept to Object D'art.While I feel I have reached top of the heap in one or two things I do, I feel I might only be able to aspire to some of the work done here in welding beads.  Fine work, Not Jim.Regards,RobGreat Basin WeldingInstagramBlue weldersRed weldersMy luscious Table DIY TIG Torch cooler