How to Learn to Weld for Garden Art
To create a garden sculpture out of new or scrap metal, it is essential to know the technique of welding. It may surprise you that metal sculpture is an ancient art form anybody can learn. Steel, bronze, iron, and copper can be formed into abstract designs, garden fairies, frogs, mammoth towering flowers, eagles, or anything your imagination and some simple tools can conjure. Keep it simple or make it as complicated and extravagant as you choose. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Scrap metal
- Torch
- Welder's chalk
- Nuts and bolts
- Welding table
- Welding hammer
- Wire brush
- Bench vise
- Power grinder
- Welding helmet
Instructions
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If welding is beyond your comfort level, consider using a torch or grinder to cut metal into detailed shapes or bend the metal into sinuous sections and piece them together into your design. In the beginning, use a thin, easily handled metal and a small soldering tool. This is very easy to learn to use and can set you on the path to creating metal art with fewer glitches and mishaps than jumping in with heavy metal, several expensive tools and costly mistakes.
Individual taste in garden decor can vary from cute little green frogs to towering statues of Buddha. So, before you begin, decide what scale you wish to create and whether the piece will need to be placed on a sturdy base or be freestanding and movable. First, do some sketches; start with a simple design, such as a flower. If you start with a towering Buddha, you may get discouraged. -
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Settle on what torch you need and the thickness of metal you are comfortable using. A material of choice for beginners should be mild or low-carbon plain steel for hobby welding. It is inexpensive, readily found and user-friendly. Save the more expensive metals for later. Do some research on torches and other tools before you commit. Make certain your workspace has good ventilation and an ample power supply.
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Create your actual size drawing on paper, like creating a pattern for sewing a shirt. Then, using inexpensive welder's chalk, outline the blueprint drawing onto the metal piece.
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As with any art form, use your imagination when considering materials for your metal design. Take scrap metal and put pieces together to construct something unique and individually yours. Use a torch to cut out the piece. The more delicate the piece, the more you would need a plasma arc cutter or laser. For first-timers, make a design that does not have small intricate cuts. After the piece is cut out, grind it smooth using a metal wheel grinder.
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If you don't know how to weld and lack the desire to learn, you can easily put metal in concert with your garden by using nuts and bolts or wire to secure pieces together. Be creative--think outside of the box. Use pieces of junk metal and transform them into spectacular garden art.
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Tips & Warnings
Avoid costly and or painful mistakes by familiarizing yourself with all safety measures and proper equipment handling. Always wear a protective helmet.
Remember that rust is steel's enemy, so take precautions to protect your materials and your art work.
