TAKE A SHORT DRIVE TO GRAPEVINE AND UP OLD MAIN STREET AND LOOK FOR A SMALL PARK WITH A GAZEBO. MY CUSTOMER AND FRIEND BUILT THE BALLARDS (PARKING POLES) TO LOOK LIKE GRAPEVINES WITH GRAPES. IT TURNED OUT VERY COOL, ALTHOUGH I THINK THE GREEN POWDER COAT DOESN'T LOOK NEAR AS GOOD AS THE NATURAL METAL DID. IF YOU HAVE TIME CHECK OUT ANOTHER CUSTOMER'S WORK... THE BRONZE SCULPTURES AT MAIN AND NORTHWEST HWY OF THE BEAR CUB, BUCK, DOE AND FAWN ARE 1 1/2 TIMES LIFE. HE ALSO HAS A COUPLE OF MORE SCULPTURES IN TOWN (KIDS SKATING AND A COUPLE OF LOCAL FIGURES). CHECK OUT THE PATINA'S ON THE SILICON BRONZE!!! NOT PAINT, TORCH BRAZED ACIDS AND DIFFERENT TRICKS, EXTREMELY TALENTED.
Jun 18, 2009 Rating
BEST BEGINNER BOOK by: DERRICK
WELDING BASICS (PROBABLY AVAILABLE AT YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY). OR HERE IS A LINK TO HALF.COM WHERE YOU CAN GET A REAL BARGAIN ON IT. BEAUTIFUL PHOTOGRAPHY WITH TODAY'S MODERN EQUIPMENT. I BELIEVE THERE ARE PLANS WITH PICTURES FOR A NICE ARBOR.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT WELDING CAUSES BIG TIME STRESS IN METAL AND THAT WARPING IS A PROBLEM FOR BEGINNERS WITHOUT EXPENSIVE JIGS. EVEN SOME PROS USE NAILS AND PLYWOOD GETTING IT TACKED TOGETHER (BESURE TO HAVE WATER AND A FIRE EXTINGUISHER HANDY, CAN'T SEE FLAMES UNDER A WELDING HOOD?!?) PATIENCE AND PLENTY OF TACK WELDS (USE E6013; EASY TO STRICK WITH A LOW VOLTAGE A/C TRANSFORMER OR SMALL INVERTER) THEN ONCE ALL IS IN ORDER SKIP AROUND WELDING AND MAYBE USE E7018 A/C TO ALLOW FOR SOME DUCTILITY IN YOUR WELDS; IE. BEND WITHOUT BRAKING INORDER TO STRAIGHTEN OUT YOUR PROJECT.
JUST REMEMBER WHEN PURCHASING STOCK (TRY DISCOUNT STEEL.COM IN FT.WORTH, YOU CAN BUY IT TO THE INCH AND HAVE IT PRECUT REASONABLY) LIGHT GAUGE MATERIAL! TRANSPORTATION WILL BE AN ISSUE. IT CAN BE STAKED OR A REMOVABLE HEAVY BASE IS ADVISABLE (SUCH AS A LARGE POTTED PLANT CONTAINER). REMEMBER ALSO THE DIMENSIONS OF YOUR TRUCK VS THE ARBOR?! CONSIDER BOLTING TOGETHER IN SECTIONS. AS FAR AS BENDING STOCK IT WILL DEPEND ON HOW PICKY YOU ARE. THERE IS A LOW COST METHOD IN THE BOOK OR YOU CAN HAVE YOUR ARCHES CUSTOM BENT. I OWN A WELDING SUPPLY STORE AND HAVE MANY CUSTOMERS IN THE LEWISVILLE AREA. YOU MIGHT CHECK OUT SOME GUYS UNDER THE RAILROAD TRACK IN THE WAREHOUSES TO THE RIGHT OFF MILL STREET @ COWAN (3M OR THREE MEXICANS; REALLY) THEY DO ORNAMENTAL IRON REASONABLY AND MIGHT BE SOMETHING YOU CAN HAVE THEM CUT AND YOU WELD AND DECORATE. HOPE THAT HELPS! NOW GO WELD SOMTHIN!
