Next, I use a cardboard pattern to draw out the figures. Here you see
the medicine man pattern, and 2 of them drawn. Below, you see the medicine men, mermaids and a
giant figure that uses the dark spot.

 

And here are the mermaids and medicine men freshly cut out.

Next, I use the welder to join the bases, and fish, to the figures.

See the gallery section for the finished pieces.

I use the angle grinder to the left to smooth the rough edges, or to polish as seen on the mermaid below.

Above, are the Oxygen gauges. (Brand new since Katrina, thanks Sue and Dan). If you look at them correctly (right side up), the one on the right shows how much O2 is in the tank, pressure wise. The gauge on the left, how much pressure is going to the torch. I use 35lbs to cut the 1/8" steel.
To the left, is the Acetylene gauge. I use 7lbs of this to cut.Mr Spot

 

These are the Oxygen and Acetylene tanks, and the torch that mixes these gases to cut the steel. You might think the process is just burning, or melting the metal. But that is not the case. The Acetylene torch cuts by oxidizing the steel. Yes, rusting is oxidation. The torch speeds up this process. And, with a little practice, can be controlled (HA!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the process. 
updated 8.7.2006

To the right you see a photo of a sheet of steel. They begin as 4' x 8' sheet, 1/8" thick. This particular piece was purchased months ago, cut into thirds and allowed to "season",
or rust. The spot you see upon this has the imprint of a leaf in it. Don't know why it's
dark like that.