Balls for grapes

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I had several cast iron balls that I was going to use on another project, but decided to see if I could make them look like grapes for the racks that I am making, so I tiged them up with some stainless rod.  These are just the start, I would still need to put a stem on them then fit them to the racks. Attached Images
Reply:They look a bit 2 symmetrical 4 a grape cluster.
Reply:I have to add aa few more and whack them a few times with a BFG as well as a stem to know how the finished product will look like.
Reply:Just thinking about a cluster. Each individual grape has a stem, and is connected 2 a larger main stem. I realize this is a wip...anxious 2 see progression of cluster build!
Reply:Ron Padilla  -  Your grapes look like spent ore tumbling balls.  If they flatten a center punch, and won't drill, you may be able to anneal them in a kiln.  Take them to 2000 degrees and turn off.  I have a 55 gal. drum full from your size to 3".  After the kiln they drilled like cast iron and taped nicely.  I haven't tried welding them but I'm sure it would improve there weldability.     Opus
Reply:I dont have anything that can take them to that temp, they do get red hot when tigging them, I can maybe hit them at that point to see what will take place?
Reply:We used to find ore tumbing balls on the highway in the mountains of Az.  I guess there were a lot of mining set ups and truckloads moved around.  We had no clue what they were for?   They look like little cannonballs, and come in 2-3 sizes. Ron I'd like to see the racks when they are near completion, sounds like a good project.  Maybe be an EZ $, everyone in Ca has a wine rack I think. BretLincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools
Reply:Bret there are some in the finished state now in a different thread I dont think I will alter those from what they are now.  Not a hard project just have to make sure everything thing is lined up right or the ring can come loos at the weld where they are joined.  I did do that in one of the 2 I did and fixed that in the second.
Reply:Well I didnt like the way that the cast iron was working for the grapes, so I found a place in Santa Fe Springs that sells solid steel workable balls at a decent price, (I think) anyway so oredered some and should be here Monday.  So I will work those into grapes and see how the racks will progress from there.
Reply:Be sure 2 post pix! i've got some ideas 4 bottle racks i mite just try.
Reply:will do, I called back to see if they would ship today as they said they would and was expecting on Monday but they did not ship.  So as soon as I get them and work them in to the racks I will post the outcome.
Reply:Originally Posted by Ron PadillaI had several cast iron balls that I was going to use on another project, but decided to see if I could make them look like grapes for the racks that I am making, so I tiged them up with some stainless rod.  These are just the start, I would still need to put a stem on them then fit them to the racks.