Just thought I'd finally share some pictures of what I do with my Dynatorch.

Just installed this sculpture yesterday at the North Carolina Arboretum. It'll be up through November (and it's for sale!)

http://steelgod.smugmug.com/photos/272039361_3uQuo-L.jpg

http://steelgod.smugmug.com/photos/272034620_kNRFo-L.jpg

http://steelgod.smugmug.com/photos/272035426_q2PzS-L.jpg

The next two I've got planned are a bit more ambitious, I think.
It'll be a few months, but . . . I'll post more pics when those sculptures are done.

Just installed this sculpture yesterday


Very nice sculpture!:)

Can you describe the construction method & finish?

Thanks
WT.

As for the process: I sketched my ideas out on paper. Nothing fancy, just scribbles. Then I started working it out in CorelDraw. Then I fed those drawings into the Dynatorch. But I found that with curves passing through variable planes and dimensions . . . . the math got way over my head. So one of the problems I ran into was that I got the front pieces wrong. I ended up having to lay out a paper pattern and re-cut the pieces with a jigsaw (cuz one of my motors was back at Dynatorch)! Then I had trouble with the curves since I don't have my slip roll yet. It was a bear. Additionally, I welded this piece a little differently than I normally would, because I was thinking of the painting process. In the end, I worked just as hard (if not harder) and I'm not as pleased with the construction. I just wish I had done my welds like I usually do. But I learned a lot from this piece, and I'll be checking in at the paintshop to watch how they block it out--so that if I decide to paint again in the future, I'll know what to do (and what not to do). The paint is an automotive grade Sunrise Pearl with semi-gloss clear-coat.

Now my process is a little different. I use Rhino3D to translate my sketches into a digital model which I can then use to toy with color and slight tweaks to the form. Then I'll sometimes build a small maquette out of paper or cardboard. Then back to the CNC plasma to cut out the parts for assembly.

This piece was constructed using 11ga for the uprights, and 16ga for the curves. I think it's sufficiently stout (I've stood on it), while keeping the weight under 300#

This should link to a slideshow of the whole process (http://www.smugmug.com/ria/ShizamSlides-2007090601.swf?AlbumID=3234243&transparent=true&crossFadeSpeed=500&showLogo=false)

Raw,
The slideshow is an excellent record of your design, creation, installation etc. of your marvellous metal sculpture.

Thanks for your response to my questions, & also for sharing your slideshow with it's many photos.
I've viewed it several times. Great pictures of a wonderful piece of art!
WT.

Very nice sculpture!. Raw, if you are using Rhino to do a 3D model of your sculpture shouldn't you be able to "flatten" the sides, front and back of your model, export as a DXF and open with the DT software?......ken

Very nice sculpture!. Raw, if you are using Rhino to do a 3D model of your sculpture shouldn't you be able to "flatten" the sides, front and back of your model, export as a DXF and open with the DT software?......ken

Yep.
But I started this sculpture before I purchased Rhino3D. I "built" the Rhino model after I had started.
I had already cut out all of the steel using CorelDraw to set up the shapes.
Which is why the one section ended up needing to be re-cut.

In the future, everything will be generated using Rhino's Unroll function.
It really is sweet.

I'm not trying to be negative but have you ever considered that someone could be skewered in the head if they climbed it for a picture or something.... Or maybe its bigger than it looks in the picture. Forgive me if it sounds offensive I don't mean too.

Firebass

All sorts of things like that have occurred to me.
This sculpture is just a smidge under 8ft. tall. So .. . sure, someone could potentially climb it and try to skewer themselves on the point.
Someone could simply be running around the base and whack their head on one of the tubes.
They're more likely to close their hands in the car door.
Or trip down some stairs.

No offense taken.
The world is full of sharp edges; I'd expect people to be aware of their surroundings.

I purchased a 5x8 machine a couple of weeks ago and I'm building the table as we speak. Metal sculpture is the primary reason I got one of the machines as well. Cant wait to start turning out some pieces with the help of this.

Here is a stainless piece the college bought from me when I was in school there.
The days of using a nibbler and hand held plasma cutter.

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z17/30modela/73aa3674-4106-4b28-b265-d953fa7030e.jpg

http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM2ED6

latest commissioned piece.
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z17/30modela/sculpture3.jpg

I was a little reluctant to post up my work, but I'm glad I did.
Thanks for sharing some of your stuff.
Looks good.

I'm curious to try a few pieces in stainless.
My next two are cor-ten.

nice...

always wanted to make something from stainless and just leave the welds untreated/grinded. Hope i gave u an ideea :)

I was a little reluctant to post up my work, but I'm glad I did.
Thanks for sharing some of your stuff.
Looks good.

I'm curious to try a few pieces in stainless.
My next two are cor-ten.

I'm glad you posted your work too. I've never worked with cor-ten but I do like the way it weathers. Keep us updated with any new pieces and I'll do the same.