I wondered where you all had gone
 

I have been missing a lot of my favorite metalshapers for quite a while now. I didn't know where you all had gone. The other side of town sure ain't what it used to be. Anyway, I finally found you.

I am a former wooden boatbuilder turned sculptor. I work primarily in sheet metal during the summer, when I am at my shop in California, and in bronze casting in the winter at my shop in Mexico. Most of my sheet metal work is in 1100 aluminum and 304 stainless. Let it be known now that I truly hate stainless steel. A more obnoxious metal to work with has never been created. It dulls your tools, eats up your sandpaper, work hardens almost instantly, and refuses to be formed unless it's red hot. But still I keep doing it. It's just so damned gorgeous when it's finally done and polished.

Here's a piece I made this past summer:
http://i774.photobucket.com/albums/y...re/9-small.jpg

http://i774.photobucket.com/albums/y...re/7-small.jpg

My name is Rasper over on the other side of town, but I figured I would sign in here as myself. Rasper is the name I use in internet poker games.

Anyway, it's good to find some old friends.

Richard

What a beautiful sculpture!!

Welcome aboard, it's about time :lol:

Richard, welcome, glad to have you as a member. You are correct about 304 stainless, it will work harden in a heartbeat. There is a saying 303 she's for me 304 she's a whore. The 303 still work hardens but not as quickly. Thanks for joining us, please show us more of your work.

Welcome aboard, Richard! Gorgeous work!

Tim D.

Glad you found us. Show us more. :)

John

Welcome aboard Richard!

I have nothing but admiration for you folks who do the stainless work. I've often considered it, but I've always chickened out for all the reasons you listed above.

That piece you showed us is a beauty, thanks for sharing.

Ken

Welcome Richard. Are you also on the Metal Artist forum?

http://www.metalartistforum.com/maf/

There are a bunch of guys there who are into casting.

Your sculpture is beautiful!

Beautiful!

Welcome!

I think your work is beautiful
The flow of the circle is really clever and the space in the middle (negative space) works really well.

I'd like to know how big it is, as the photo gives no indication.

Mark's Mrs (Sarah)

Nice piece Richard.

It has kind of an oriental feel to it. The steel pieces of the support look like Kanji brush strokes. Does it represent a glyph? and if so what does it mean?

Ms. Sarah,

I would guess table top size 22"tall maybe a little less. It is being photographed on seamless. The base looks like stone veneer which typically is 3/4 or 7/8 inch. the work on the steel support suggests that it is made of 1/4' stock which also agrees with the 3/4" base theory.

Gene