D Bales' art projects

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I'm not really new to the site, been trolling around on here for about a year now. I've only posted a couple times, once to post my re-purposed metal/wood tv stand. I'm making this thread to showcase some of my work, get opinions, and hopefully any advice you guys may be able to give me.First off, a little about me. I'm 22. When I first got out of high school I went to school to be and auto technician. Found out about two semesters in that it wasn't what I wanted to do with my life. Granted, I love cars and love working on them but I just couldn't see turning that into an everyday job. I was into minitrucks so I knew welding was a skill I was going to need to learn to get a truck to lay flat on the ground. One day I passed some road construction (overpasses being built) and I saw a welder welding the i-beams together and it came to me, I wanted to be a welder. I enrolled in a welding course at the same tech school that I went to for auto mechanics. I went my first semester and loved it. My instructor was amazing and really helped me learn to stick weld. My second semester, I started down a slippery slope getting into smoking and having "too much fun". Needless to say, I flunked out of school. Recently though, I'm applying soon to join my local welder/pipefitter union to get into the apprenticeship program to further learn the trade.During my time learning welding at my tech school my instructor showed us some of his metalwork and art that he had done. It really inspired me to pursue metal as an artform.I also work as a mechanic at a bowling alley so sometimes I get to use old machine parts that the center can no longer use. This usually leads to me coming up with unusual ways of re-purposing a lot of things, whether it be an artistic piece or something with an actual purpose.If you made it this far, thanks for reading! LOL. Without further adieu, here is some of my work:This is the tv stand I made from two broken ballwheels (pictured beside tv stand):This is an artistic piece I'm currently working on using large bearing races (the circles) and a piece of 1" tubing cut, hand bent, and welded back together (the eye looking thing):This is another artistic piece currently in progress using a bowling pin stripped of its plastic coating to be stained, wrapped in cut and hand bent tubing:
Reply:Oh yeah, this is my welding table/shop setup. It works for what I'm doing now, but definitely not ideal. LOL.
Reply:nice stuff, I like artistic welding.careful with those leaves, they like to smolder.Dynasty 200DXPassport plus w/ spoolmate 100victor 315c oxy/(act and prop)Miller digital elitemilwaukee power tools
Reply:Originally Posted by turknice stuff, I like artistic welding.careful with those leaves, they like to smolder.
Reply:Looks good. I especially like the bearing race "thingy".
Reply:Ya got imagination, partner.  Nice work.(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:Haven't got a chance to weld as much as I'd like to lately, so I don't have much to show. Hopefully it'll get out of the triple digits so I'll want to get outside and put on welding leathers lol.For me and my wife's wedding anniversary (Feb. 26) I wanted to do something out of the norm for our first anniversary. The rings are leftover bearing races I had used in my earlier "Rings" project. The letters were sheetmetal cut out with a small hack saw and filed down with a metal file. I bent the letters using the round end of a ball peen hammer and tapping it with a claw hammer to create the right curves (it was all I had to do it with, so I made it work lol). It was painted in her favorite colors and cleared with a spray clear. And the best part, she LOVED it.Thanks for looking.Northern Tool MIG/Flux coreWEL-BILT 4 1/2 angle grinderYou gotta start somewhere!
Reply:Nice work there, but never show any butt kissin around here you'll get murdered for less! At least it did'nt say schmoopie on it! Only kiddin I like your stuff bud! I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:Originally Posted by weldermikeNice work there, but never show any butt kissin around here you'll get murdered for less! At least it did'nt say schmoopie on it! Only kiddin I like your stuff bud!
Reply:Originally Posted by dbalesThe letters were sheetmetal cut out with a small hack saw and filed down with a metal file. I bent the letters using the round end of a ball peen hammer and tapping it with a claw hammer to create the right curves (it was all I had to do it with, so I made it work lol).
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWSo many guys think you need the latest and greatest new tools to do anything. Almost everyone forgets that they used to do all sorts of stuff with simple basic hand tools like hacksaws, chisels and files. Expensive tools won't make up for  a lack skill and knowledge, but a skilled craftsman can make up for a lack of specialized tools.My compliments on making a very nice piece with "simple" tools.
Reply:Originally Posted by dbalesPlus I've found you when you work slower, its easier to catch mistakes early or even before theyre made.
Reply:Originally Posted by dbalesOh yeah, this is my welding table/shop setup. It works for what I'm doing now, but definitely not ideal. LOL.
Reply:This is my "fabrication" table It is a wooden table the previous owners of the house left. Has a twisted top. It takes a loonngg time to square things with wooden wedges but you finally get it right and enjoy doing it. Attached Images
Reply:Glad to see people using what they got and getting work done. I've upgraded since I moved to using that flat sheet on a old kitchen table the previous folks left behind. I'll build a proper welding table when I build my garage/man cave.Northern Tool MIG/Flux coreWEL-BILT 4 1/2 angle grinderYou gotta start somewhere!
Reply:Definitely yes, you should start buildin or making a welding table for yourself if you intend to continue on what you are doing now. Your pieces are quite good and functional, just keep it up and you are in the right direction.
Reply:U have some good creativity. 1 tool u should add 2 ur "work shop" is a fire ext. A 30 min. fire watch after the last arc is struck is the minimum safety precaution.
Reply:Originally Posted by grumpycricketU have some good creativity. 1 tool u should add 2 ur "work shop" is a fire ext. A 30 min. fire watch after the last arc is struck is the minimum safety precaution.
Reply:Originally Posted by roberts56Definitely yes, you should start buildin or making a welding table for yourself if you intend to continue on what you are doing now. Your pieces are quite good and functional, just keep it up and you are in the right direction.
Reply:That stuff is really cool! Glad to see more "art welders" here!Congrat's on the anniversary too! In about 9 more years you'll have her mostly figured out. Hang in there until then!! ( I'm at 17 year's. Setting a record for my generation.......)200amp Air Liquide MIG, Hypertherm Plasma, Harris torches, Optrel helmet, Makita angle grinders, Pre-China Delta chop saw and belt sander, Miller leathers, shop made jigs etc, North- welders backpack.
Reply:You have got amazing pieces here. Making more functional art pieces will take you far.
Reply:very nice work looks great love it Creative metal Creative metal Facebook
Reply:Originally Posted by bert the welderThat stuff is really cool! Glad to see more "art welders" here!Congrat's on the anniversary too! In about 9 more years you'll have her mostly figured out. Hang in there until then!! ( I'm at 17 year's. Setting a record for my generation.......)
Reply:When I seen the thread about the "hotdog dudes" that you put on the grill, I had to have one. This is my version made from bowling machine parts:In case you were wondering, I'm a Cowboys fan, hence the hat.Northern Tool MIG/Flux coreWEL-BILT 4 1/2 angle grinderYou gotta start somewhere!