I've been away and getting back into ArtMetal....your site is incredible...thank you for putting together the progress of your sculpture. I am actually up for my first large scale piece and feel totally lost....?????...I started with some sketches but felt they didn't convey the idea...so I actually made a few rough maquettes, the last of which I liked.
Seeing your progress made me feel more confident in my ability to do this project...thanks again SteelyJan

Andy, well done and thanks for taking the time to record the steps you took in the making, I enjoyed every minute. Nice workshop as well, I was brought up in Keswick. Was the bottom layer in 3 mm and the upper in 2mm? If you had something similar to do again with the compound curves, would you consider a complete internal framework, say in light gauge angle, or would that be OTT?
David

David hi,
Thanks for your kind words. The sheet was all 3mm. I think you're right in suggesting an internal framework. We could have made the top face to have a lesser angle on it but I wanted to (maybe foolishly) try and get a sort of swooping form on the helix. It was a bit of trial and error on this piece.
Since this job, I've now sold the tractor and bought a forklift which can easily get into the workshop!

Are you still around Keswick or have you moved on?

Cheers,

Andy

Andy, the swooping shape works well, I thought an internal frame would have been a bit more rigid in pulling the pieces into line but there is no sign of distortion in your piece. The butt welds do nicely too, with the spot welds onto the backing strip. I would love to be able to justify a fork lift, another boys toy!! I am down near Newmarket now,
keep up the good work,

David