wow......you were replying to my post and I was replying to your post at exactly the same time! I think it was the mojo from your skull (although we both have wings on our current posted pieces!)...

Hi Kimberli,
Thanks. I don't what gage, but I measured the thickness to be .032". What gage is that? My wife likes it too, but not in the house...
Frank

Hi Frank, it`s creative and scary to me, guess it`s just cultural not to accept death as part of life. Whatever Frank, coming from you would probably have wings on ... Great ! nelson.

Hi Nelson,
Thanks. The feathers were easy, I had some practice.I hope this work is not repulsive, that was not my intent.
Frank

Frank,

.032" would be 20 gauge B&S. .040" is 18 ga.and .051" is 16 gauge - I keep those in my head and can "guesstimate" the rest of them from those.

Hi Rich,
I'll try to remember those numbers. I think I might do alright shaping the heavier gauge, but cutting the stuff would definitely require different tools than I have.
Frank

Frank,

Look into the knock-off of the Beverly #1 throatless shear that Harbor Freight tools sells. It definitely isn't the qualilty of a Beverly, but it definitely does work fine for stuff up to 14 guage, and it's a quarter the price of the comparable Beverly.  It will cut straight and curves with no problems, and becauswe of the throatless design it works with any size sheet stock.

 http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=38413

Hi Rich,
I actually have a Beverly that a friend has lent me to use as long as I wish. It is extremely dull.Does Beverly sell the knife replacements? Or is there a place that resharpens them.It still cuts WAY faster and easier than a snips, but tight curves are out of the question. I've never tried heavier gauge sheet in it, I guess I should. I saw a used heavy duty Beverly shear on e-bay go for over $800.
Frank

Frank,

Lucky you! You can get replacement blades for any shear they ever made from Beverly or any of their distributors, for somewhere between 90 and 150 bucks depending on model. The blades can be re-sharpened by someone who knows what he's doing - the key is in keeping the edge absolutely perpendicular to the plane of the blade. Some sharpeners think they should put an angle on the blade, which ruins them. Beverly may very well sharpen blades, too. Can't hurt to ask.

Hi Jamie,
Glad you like Mori. It's fascinating how people react in such different ways to a skull, especially a sculpture.There are some challenging reverse curves that make the shaping task interesting.
Frank

Frank,

A great piece with much appeal. It is great to be able to target the market so well. Good luck during the show.

Fred

Fred Zweig
Metalsmith

Hi Fred,
Thank you.I will bring skulls and dragons, but birds too. Ya never know,eh?
Frank