Beginning sculptor needs some advice re: choosing materials/fabricating

brody - Friday, June 26, 2009 - 6:06pm

I'm going to be creating a 5' tall metal sculpture. I want to create it out of small (~1" or a bit smaller diameter) disks, or washers, or whatever I can find cheaply and in bulk. This sculpture just needs to support its own weight, so doesn't have to be super strong.

Can I have some suggestions as to what the least expensive material for this might be, and then from there, how I should connect them together? (It's going to be a fish, so I want to create it as Scales, and have the discs overlapping a bit. (I was thinking washers because they're readily available and would weigh less than solid small discs).

Could I solder it, or do I need to weld it somehow?

Sorry for the super-beginner questions, but I have an Idea and not much of a plan yet. Thought I'd come here to people who know more about metal than I do! (I have access to a shop with MIG, TIG, a soldering gun, etc etc).

Thanks!!

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Hi Brody, there are some

eligius1427 - Saturday, June 27, 2009 - 8:43am

Hi Brody, there are some large supply companies online like Fastenal, MSC, and McmasterCarr that sell plain unfinished washers(no plating or galvanizing) and they're really economical. I would suggest those or stainless steel washers.

As for process, that's a matter of taste. Mig is going to be much faster, the spot welds will be bigger, and there will be spatter to deal with. Tig will be much cleaner, nice small welds, but slower, more difficult and awkward. I personally would try to TIG it first, especially if you chose Stainless Steel Washers.

Hope this helps a bit and keep us updated on the progress.

Jake

Jake Balcom
Mettle Design
Lincoln, NE

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Thanks for your advice! I'm

brody - Sunday, June 28, 2009 - 9:54pm

Thanks for your advice!
I'm definitely going to stay away from stainless, not only because I hear it's pretty toxic to be welding on, but it's EXPENSIVE! Ha.

But yay for the tip on unfinished washers- that sounds like exactly what I need. Thank you!

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fish?

Stephen Fitz-Gerald - Monday, November 2, 2009 - 2:55am

Stephen Fitz-Gerald
Hey Brody,
A round disc will lend itself well to scales like a fish,but with a hole in it (like washers) it'll be more difficult than full discs. They'll have to be closer together to avoid seeing the hole. The weight difference isn't that important if you weld everything solidly together.
As one who has been making sculptures from punch parts for YEARS, I recommend them as a viable alternative to washers.
Also if a fish is your theme,there's another fairly light but effective way to accomplish the look of scales. Expanded metal:
Her's a 5 ft. coelacanth I made long ago with that material:
http://ou8nrtist2.deviantart.com/art/Coelacanth-Sculpture-46217031
Good luck!

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