Blimey, how'd you get into metal working?

[Eepers]

Noticed your wind sculpture page and was wondering how you got involved with that and how much general metalworking skill crosses over when working with copper.

I've been thinking of attempting some metal work (decorative type) for a while now, but feel like I should take some official classes. That's the road I took for woodworking and it paid off by knowing how not to kill myself, haha.

I could of asked this with private message, but figured others might be interested.

[BlimeyCabrio]

Interesting OT question. :)

I grew up on a farm. My dad was a farmer, carpenter, handyman, mechanic, inventor, etc. Which every good country farmer used to be. From a very early age I watched and helped him take stuff apart, put stuff back together, and build stuff that we needed. I'm trying to teach some of the same stuff to my kids, but it's harder now... (we didn't have Unreal Tournament back then... :p )

How I got involved with sculpture? I've been a fan of kinetic sculpture for 20+ years. Watched "Twister" (the movie, not the car) a few times too many and admired the wind sculptures depicted there. Researched available work and decided to take a shot a building one. Did, loved it, built another, then another, and I was off. Been doing it about 5 years now and have come a ways, especially with advanced construction techniques and finishing techniques.

All my metalworking skills (beyond some basic stuff from watching other people) are self-taught or learned by reading. No formal training. So far haven't killed myself or lost any digits or eyeballs. Just ordered a MIG machine, should have it next week. Already have a plasma cutter and some torches, lots of grinders, sanders, drills, punches, etc.

For me, figuring stuff out (both new designs and new techniques) is the fun part. I may take some welding courses at some point to get good with TIG and advanced techniques... but for now I just like "playing" (safely) with the tools and experimenting...

Happy to host anyone at my studio who is interested in seeing how I do some things. Some things are surprisingly simple. Some are surprisingly "brute force" oriented. Others take some skill / faith...:)

[UN4G1VN]

The unreal tourney statement is histerical. I would like to see some of your wind sculptures. I really liked the ones in Twister. How can I do this?

[BlimeyCabrio]

The unreal tourney statement is histerical. I would like to see some of your wind sculptures. I really liked the ones in Twister. How can I do this?

Several opportunities to see my stuff:

1) Visit Twister (the man, not the movie) - he has one in his yard that's actually nicer than anything I have in my own right now...
2) Visit me in Holly Springs - I always have several pieces on display, though most are getting long in the tooth now - I've been so busy building ones for other people that most of mine are several years old and are early pieces or prototypes - my finishing skills are much improved now. :)
3) There is a large piece on display in front of the Amarr Garage Doors headquarters north of Winston Salem.
4) There is another large piece on display as part of the Chapel Hill Public Arts "SculptureVisions" show - see details here (http://www.chapelhillarts.org/programs_sculpture_curr.php).

And always lots of photos on my website (http://www.aerokinetic.com).

[UN4G1VN]

Those are really nice. I look forward to seeing them in person.

[minianni]

Cool Paul, Love'd the one you did for Mark. I got the Tig if you want to come play. If you can do Oxy, you can do tig. I also got a Henrob that is really cool and might work well for your type of work.

Steve (mr.minianni)

p.s.sawyou at the
Dragon didn't get a chance to say Hello.

[Eepers]

I'll have to scoot over there sometime when the MINI gets here, I'd love to see your studio, people's working areas fascinate me when it's techniques I'm interested in.

[MidnightDave]

Let's find somewhere to eat around there and do a "drive to" event?

I want to get one for my wife, sometime--the interior remodel is taking more of everything, time, money, patience, than planned, so we haven't moved to the outside yet. ;-)

[BlimeyCabrio]

Let's find somewhere to eat around there and do a "drive to" event?

I want to get one for my wife, sometime--the interior remodel is taking more of everything, time, money, patience, than planned, so we haven't moved to the outside yet. ;-)

I'd be all for hosting whoever wants to come over for a studio visit drive sometime later in the summer - and we'll find somewhere to eat - Xios is only 10 minutes away, there a good draft house 5 minutes away...