JoeWelder » Welding Art http://joewelder.com Tue, 17 Aug 2010 08:24:47 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 One Company’s Scraps… http://joewelder.com/2010/04/05/one-companys-scraps/ http://joewelder.com/2010/04/05/one-companys-scraps/#comments Mon, 05 Apr 2010 09:00:00 +0000 Editor, JoeWelder.com http://joewelder.com/?p=2707 Scrap metal doesn’t ever go to waste at Wagner Companies — instead, the employees are using their free time to transform these bits and pieces into beautiful works of art.

Metal manufacturing workers use talents to transform scraps into art

By Rick Barrett of the Journal Sentinel
Posted: Feb. 8, 2010

When a piece of scrap metal falls to the factory floor at Wagner Companies, employee James Woggon may be close behind, snapping it up as material for his artwork.

So when thousands of small metal rings were going to be scrapped, Woggon used them – and a chair from the company cafeteria – to create a funky piece of patio furniture.

It was strictly for fun. Yet the talents of Woggon and fellow employee Jason Scott have not been lost on their employer, which manufactures things such as hand railings and snowplow parts. The two were hired as metal fabricators, an unglamorous job that often involves making thousands of parts in a repetitive fashion. But when work slows down, Woggon and Scott use their artistic talents in the factory.

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]]> http://joewelder.com/2010/04/05/one-companys-scraps/feed/ 0 Viking Pride http://joewelder.com/2010/03/08/viking-pride/ http://joewelder.com/2010/03/08/viking-pride/#comments Mon, 08 Mar 2010 09:00:11 +0000 Editor, JoeWelder.com http://joewelder.com/?p=2272 What did you do this semester?  Clone fruit flies?  Learn about logarithms?

Gary Blazek spent it welding a 500 lb. sculpture of Thor, his school’s mascot.  Now, that’s a project you don’t often hear about!

College mascot recreated in metal

Monday, Dec 07, 2009
By Lynne Lynch
Herald staff writer

MOSES LAKE — His horned helmet reaches the height of the highest bookshelf in Shawn McDaniel’s welding classroom at Big Bend Community College.

doc4b1d80e9847a1745906081The helmet wearer is Thor, a metal statue of the college’s Viking mascot, created by student Gary Blazek. Thor weighs between 450 to 500 pounds and is made of a variety of parts.

Thor was quietly standing in the corner of the classroom last week, just a few days before fall quarter’s end.

His creator, Blazek, 55, was laid off from Genie Industries in February. At the company’s Moses Lake plant, he welded swing units and also worked on a new production line.

He started taking welding classes at the college to improve his pipe welding skills and to make himself more marketable to potential employers.

In October, he responded to instructor McDaniel’s request for students to make items benefiting a student scholarship fund.

Using donated scrap metal from his past employer and a plow disc, he started working on Thor.

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]]> http://joewelder.com/2010/03/08/viking-pride/feed/ 0 Frozen (or, Welded) in Time http://joewelder.com/2010/01/04/frozen-or-welded-in-time/ http://joewelder.com/2010/01/04/frozen-or-welded-in-time/#comments Mon, 04 Jan 2010 21:13:41 +0000 Editor, JoeWelder.com http://joewelder.com/?p=1834 The critters in my garden aren’t made of metal, don’t stand perfectly still, and they certainly don’t have a four-foot wing spans.

Jerry Brooks’ critters do.

In his garden, flowers don’t grow; they rust.  Birds don’t cheep — if anything, they squeak as the wind brushes past.  His garden is frozen in time, and all because of a welding torch.

A Metal Menagerie

Blossoms, birds and bugs for the ages

by Pamela Kleibrink Thompson

On a bluff overlooking a tree-studded golf course in Wilder, Idaho, is a rough corrugated work shed where scrap iron and outdated tools are reshaped, welded and transformed into timeless works of art. The artist whose imagination resuscitates the rusty, beautifies the broken and distinguishes the discarded is sculptor Jerry Brooks.

Further3-2In Brooks’ world, a sunflower blooms eternally with metal petals and leaves welded on wiry stems. A quartet of birds reveals personalities reminiscent of animated cartoons and looks ready to take flight or do the chicken dance. A shovel blade forms the body of a rara avis. Teeth from two rakes become outstretched wings. A giant dragonfly with wings of burnished copper-colored metal soars into the sky.

dragonflyDragonflies are not an uncommon sight at Boise’s Parkcenter Pond, but Brooks’ 40-pound metal behemoth that welcomes patrons to the restaurant Barbacoa always draws attention.

“When I see a piece of rusted metal or parts of machinery that have been bent and worn by time and the elements, I sometimes see a picture in my mind of what they could become—how they could become pieces of art,” Brooks says.

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]]> http://joewelder.com/2010/01/04/frozen-or-welded-in-time/feed/ 0 A Pallet of Steel http://joewelder.com/2009/12/04/a-pallet-of-steel/ http://joewelder.com/2009/12/04/a-pallet-of-steel/#comments Fri, 04 Dec 2009 08:59:57 +0000 Editor, JoeWelder.com http://joewelder.com/?p=1810 Jerry Fuhriman is known throughout the valley for his watercolors and oil paintings, but tonight people will get to see another side of the Providence artist.
A handful of Fuhriman’s newly created metal sculptures will be on display during the downtown Gallery Walk tonight at Fuhriman’s Framing & Fine Art, one of 12 businesses displaying artwork or hosting live music.
But for those who have visited Abravanel Hall in Salt Lake City recently, the artwork will look familiar.
Dubbed “Missy’s Rocket,” a 10-foot stainless steel rocket created by Fuhriman and Arthur Taylor of Hyde Park is on display in the symphony hall’s plaza. Like “Missy,” all of Fuhriman’s work on display tonight is put together using salvaged pieces of stainless steel.
“Everything I build is from salvage,” Fuhriman said. “A lot of it comes from bid sales and surplus sales.”
“Missy,” for instance, was made in part by using milking machines from farmers in Southern Idaho and microphones purchased at a Utah State University bid sale.
Included in the dozen or so pieces on display tonight will be two “goofy fish.” They were made from a food conveyor belt and jet landing gear, Fuhriman said. Other items include a collection of other stainless steel pieces.

Jerry Fuhriman is, at heart, a painter.  At least, that’s what most people would have thought until this, his most recent exhibition — Mr. Fuhriman has traded in his paintbrush for a welding torch, his pallet of paints for an array of stainless steel.

Showing his metal: Providence artist’s steely sculptures on display tonight

By Emilie H. Wheeler
Published: Friday, September 18, 2009 4:46 AM CDT

Jerry Fuhriman is known throughout the valley for his watercolors and oil paintings, but tonight people will get to see another side of the Providence artist.

Fuhriman SculptureA handful of Fuhriman’s newly created metal sculptures will be on display during the downtown Gallery Walk tonight at Fuhriman’s Framing & Fine Art, one of 12 businesses displaying artwork or hosting live music.

But for those who have visited Abravanel Hall in Salt Lake City recently, the artwork will look familiar.

Dubbed “Missy’s Rocket,” a 10-foot stainless steel rocket created by Fuhriman and Arthur Taylor of Hyde Park is on display in the symphony hall’s plaza. Like “Missy,” all of Fuhriman’s work on display tonight is put together using salvaged pieces of stainless steel.

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]]> http://joewelder.com/2009/12/04/a-pallet-of-steel/feed/ 0 Some Fishy Welding Business http://joewelder.com/2009/12/03/some-fishy-weldin-business/ http://joewelder.com/2009/12/03/some-fishy-weldin-business/#comments Thu, 03 Dec 2009 08:20:36 +0000 Editor, JoeWelder.com http://joewelder.com/?p=1889 This just goes to show you that fabricators are a smart, savvy and creative bunch! Check out this story on the  Marlin Days at Carolina Custom Towers.  Great way to keep up your chops and diversify your income stream.

Fishing for business
September 23, 2009 5:30 AM
By Drew C. Wilson
Havelock News
Successful companies can adapt to a changing market.
Change is exactly what Carolina Custom Towers of Havelock is doing.
The company makes aluminum tuna towers and other products for custom sports fishing and luxury yachts.
“I really enjoy doing the towers, but the way the economy’s been the last couple of years, there just isn’t the work,” owner Tim Daly said from the company’s shop in Havelock’s industrial park.
So five weeks ago Daly and his employees got together and decided to diversify. Fridays have now become marlin days.
That’s when anodized aluminum that would otherwise be made into tuna towers and T-tops is instead fashioned into marlin, tuna and mahi mahi sculptures and wall mounts.
It is a business endeavor that is split four ways among Daly, brothers Daniel Hunnings and J.R. Hunnings of Grifton and Bryan Gray of Morehead City, according to Daly’s wife Jen, who is the company office manager.
“It was just an idea that they ran with,” she said. “We’ve got all this metal and all this ability and it’s what we can do. Once the public gets to see them, it’s a home run.
“It’s just that out-of-the-box thinking that this team does, very innovative.”
They’re working on tuna and marlin pieces and plan to add porpoises, whales and manatees to the mix, Tim Daly sai

Fishing for business

September 23, 2009 5:30 AM
By Drew C. Wilson

SWORDFISHHavelock News

Successful companies can adapt to a changing market.

Change is exactly what Carolina Custom Towers of Havelock is doing.

The company makes aluminum tuna towers and other products for custom sports fishing and luxury yachts.

“I really enjoy doing the towers, but the way the economy’s been the last couple of years, there just isn’t the work,” owner Tim Daly said from the company’s shop in Havelock’s industrial park.

So five weeks ago Daly and his employees got together and decided to diversify. Fridays have now become marlin days.

That’s when anodized aluminum that would otherwise be made into tuna towers and T-tops is instead fashioned into marlin, tuna and mahi mahi sculptures and wall mounts.

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Are YOU doing anything to diversify? Let us know!

]]> http://joewelder.com/2009/12/03/some-fishy-weldin-business/feed/ 0 Welding in Carlsbad http://joewelder.com/2009/11/12/welding-in-carlsbad/ http://joewelder.com/2009/11/12/welding-in-carlsbad/#comments Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:03:44 +0000 Editor, JoeWelder.com http://joewelder.com/?p=1977 Iron roadrunners installed at Heritage Park
From the Current-Argus
Posted: 10/05/2009 10:55:12 PM MDT
Click photo to enlarge
By Valerie Cranston
Current-Argus Staff Writer
CARLSBAD — Heritage Park near the Flume is now the permanent home to one large and three small quarter-inch plate metal roadrunners designed by Terry Fuson and welded by Jeff Cornwell.
Some time back, Fuson made and gave away a few small metal roadrunners to sit on desktops. The roadrunners were made of large nails, nuts and parts of washers. He gave one to Heritage Park committee member Dale Janway, who then had the idea to pursue a larger family version to place along the retaining wall in front of the park pavilion.
“At one time someone said to me, ‘You should sell these,’” Fuson said. “I told them why, they give away real good.”
Local artist Gerri Mattson offered to enlarge the small design so it would be easier to cut and assemble.
The large roadrunner is about 5 and a half feet tall at the middle of its back. Its tail reaches at least 10 feet in the air and it is more than 15 feet from head to tail. Each is reinforced with square tubing that reaches about 3 feet down into the ground and 1 foot above ground. The native rock base provided the finishing touch.
“This is a hobby for us,” said Cornwell. “At first, it was no big deal, but then it snowballed into something big. I’ve done custom fabrication, but nothing of this scope.”
“It took us about 80 hours to build the four,” he added, noting that the two men donated their time and labor and only charged for materials.

Not the Carlsbad, CA where Arc-Zone is locate…  but the one in New Mexico…  thems some big roadrunners!

Iron roadrunners installed at Heritage Park

Posted: 10/05/2009 10:55:12 PM MDT

By Valerie Cranston – Current-Argus Staff Writer

CARLSBAD — Heritage Park near the Flume is now the permanent home to one large and three small quarter-inch plate metal roadrunners designed by Terry Fuson and welded by Jeff Cornwell.

roadrunnerSome time back, Fuson made and gave away a few small metal roadrunners to sit on desktops. The roadrunners were made of large nails, nuts and parts of washers.

He gave one to Heritage Park committee member Dale Janway, who then had the idea to pursue a larger family version to place along the retaining wall in front of the park pavilion.

“At one time someone said to me, ‘You should sell these,’” Fuson said. “I told them why, they give away real good.”

Local artist Gerri Mattson offered to enlarge the small design so it would be easier to cut and assemble.

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]]> http://joewelder.com/2009/11/12/welding-in-carlsbad/feed/ 0 Restoration Education http://joewelder.com/2009/11/10/restoration-education/ http://joewelder.com/2009/11/10/restoration-education/#comments Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:41:12 +0000 Editor, JoeWelder.com http://joewelder.com/?p=2003 If this class was offered at my old high school, who knows – I might actually consider going back!  Automotive restoration?  Welding, painting, and metal fabrication?  Sponsored by the local car museum?  Wait – are you sure this is for high school?

Gilmore Car Museum starts high school auto restoration program
GILMORE CAR MUSEUM • READER SUBMITTED • OCTOBER 15, 2009
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An innovative pilot program that matches adult mentors with high school students interested in the automotive arts is the newest educational step being taken by the Gilmore Car Museum, near Kalamazoo, MI to fulfill its mission of becoming a resource to the community.
Beginning its first full week as an after-school course in automotive preservation, conservation, and restoration, the “Gilmore Garage Works” project selected eight seniors from Hastings High and Delton-Kellogg High, the two high schools in its home Barry Intermediate School District, to be part of the initial class.
Students and their adult mentors, primarily Museum members with long histories in the auto restoration hobby, will use a 1931 Willys-Knight donated to the Museum in 2005 as their first restoration project.
Students will receive exposure to such skills as welding, painting, and metal fabrication as part of the class using tools and equipment that have either been donated to the program or purchased by the not-for-profit Gilmore Car Museum at a reduced cost. Work will begin in one bay of the Museum’s current Machine Shop and will move in December to a new 6,400 square-foot restoration shop and dedicated educational facility currently being constructed at the Museum.

Gilmore Car Museum starts high school auto restoration program

READER SUBMITTED • OCTOBER 15, 2009

An innovative pilot program that matches adult mentors with high school students interested in the automotive arts is the newest educational step being taken by the Gilmore Car Museum, near Kalamazoo, MI to fulfill its mission of becoming a resource to the community.

bilde

(Gilmore Car Museum)

Beginning its first full week as an after-school course in automotive preservation, conservation, and restoration, the “Gilmore Garage Works” project selected eight seniors from Hastings High and Delton-Kellogg High, the two high schools in its home Barry Intermediate School District, to be part of the initial class.

Students and their adult mentors, primarily Museum members with long histories in the auto restoration hobby, will use a 1931 Willys-Knight donated to the Museum in 2005 as their first restoration project.

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]]> http://joewelder.com/2009/11/10/restoration-education/feed/ 0 Of Hand Trees and Railroad Ties http://joewelder.com/2009/10/28/of-hand-trees-and-railroad-ties/ http://joewelder.com/2009/10/28/of-hand-trees-and-railroad-ties/#comments Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:20:58 +0000 Editor, JoeWelder.com http://joewelder.com/?p=1601 Check out this  welder/sculptor Kevin Caron.  He works primarily in stainless steel to create free-standing kinetic sculptures, like the ones below.  The following video shows how he creates one of his railroad tie sculptures (like this one), from beginning to end.  Enjoy!

The following are two of my favorites:  an unfinished staircase reaching up into the heavens, and a hand tree– literally, a tree with hands for leaves.
For videos of Kevin making these and other sculptures, you can go to his YouTube account here –>

lrg_handson

Hands On -- commission, City of Avondale Avondale, Arizona -- steel, powder-coated steel 168" x 145" x 146" -- created 2009

lrg_Aspire

Aspire -- steel 102" x 21" x 21" -- created 2004

]]> http://joewelder.com/2009/10/28/of-hand-trees-and-railroad-ties/feed/ 0 Dreaming Up Some Welds http://joewelder.com/2009/01/06/dreaming-up-some-welds/ http://joewelder.com/2009/01/06/dreaming-up-some-welds/#comments Tue, 06 Jan 2009 08:30:49 +0000 Editor, JoeWelder.com http://joewelder.com/?p=1696 “You dream it and I weld it“.  That’s the motto of Jesse Hornberger, welder-and-sculptor-at-large.  He welds mainly in steel, and many of the ideas for his sculptures have come from things that friends and family have suggested to him over the years.  Examples can be seen HERE ->

Artist turns dreams into steel sculptures (with photo gallery and video)
BY LISA ROOSE-CHURCH • DAILY PRESS & ARGUS • SEPTEMBER 7, 2009
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You dream it and Jesse Hornberger can weld it.
That’s the motto of the 22-year-old Oceola Township man as he combines his welding degree and artistic talent to create steel sculptures that are the centerpiece of any room. His talent has led him to the Grove Gallery Co-op in East Lansing, where he is the gallery’s featured artist for September. (photo gallery)
There is a reception to recognize Hornberger from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at the co-op, 325 Grove St., Suite A, East Lansing. Wine, cheese and desserts will be served.
“It was kind of a hobby,” Hornberger said about his art. “I started doing sculpting in high school. My first major piece was an eagle, and that’s on display at the gallery. My senior year I made a big sculpture that’s at the courtyard at the (Howell High School) Freshman Campus.”

Artist turns dreams into steel sculptures (with photo gallery and video)

BY LISA ROOSE-CHURCH • DAILY PRESS & ARGUS • SEPTEMBER 7, 2009

You dream it and Jesse Hornberger can weld it.

welderThat’s the motto of the 22-year-old Oceola Township man as he combines his welding degree and artistic talent to create steel sculptures that are the centerpiece of any room. His talent has led him to the Grove Gallery Co-op in East Lansing, where he is the gallery’s featured artist for September.  (photo gallery)

There is a reception to recognize Hornberger from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at the co-op, 325 Grove St., Suite A, East Lansing. Wine, cheese and desserts will be served.

dragonfly“It was kind of a hobby,” Hornberger said about his art. “I started doing sculpting in high school.  My first major piece was an eagle, and that’s on display at the gallery.  My senior year I made a big sculpture that’s at the courtyard at the (Howell High School) Freshman Campus.”

The inspiration behind that sculpture, which is about 8 feet tall, was a doodle drawing Hornberger made one day.

“A lot of my inspiration comes from my family and things they want to see,” he said.  ”My motto is, ‘You dream it and I weld it.’  I’m trying to test out my motto.”

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