Stainless koi

[pondman]

Hi all

So around 2 years ago I did a quote for a very large pond cover, I had just learned some new techniques and thought I could make a cover to fit any pond. Well I was wrong and I had to go to the customer with my tail between my legs and admit it wasnt a good idea and although it could be done I knew it wasn't going to look good. They were actually pleased that I had told them that and in stead of taking their deposit back they ordered a dragonfly and asked if I could make a stainless steel koi that could be made to look like its jumping out the water. I said yes and then sat on the idea since and had to find the balls to actually attempt it cause I knew it had to be my number 1 sculpture.

Well I finally got down to making it! :-D I've now got to try figure out a way to stand it in the pond without ripping the liner. then off to the polishers.

Regards

Pondman

 

[chunkolini]

Looking good, this is just the weather for the overwelding business.
Mounting it? easy,
Something like this?

Measure the depth, and sit the ring on the bottom and place a bag of sand on it.

 

[ChrisJ]

nice work mr pondman

 

[blacksmithstris]

nice work, although third pic down it looks like a fish monster-zombie!!!

Always good to admit when something's not going to work. Better looking like you're too optimistic, than a prat if it looks a pig.

I really don' t know how you are so productive though, are you constantly on a red bull drip feed or something?? You seem to be able to churn stuff out, and quality stuff at that!! Wish I could do that!!

are those stainless steel discs as scales? Looks quite effective.

Can't wait to see it all polished up!!

 

[pondman]

Looking good, this is just the weather for the overwelding business.
Mounting it? easy,
Something like this?
Measure the depth, and sit the ring on the bottom and place a bag of sand on it.

Thanks Chunko' a ring was something I will be looking at. I want to make it adjustable so it can be moved to different heights. It's also quite top heavy cause the head is so solid so need to be carefull it doesn't fall over.

I'm waiting to hear back from the customers then Ill make a decision.

 

[pondman]

nice work mr pondman

Thank you Chris! Really liking how your work is coming on too

 

[pondman]

nice work, although third pic down it looks like a fish monster-zombie!!!

Always good to admit when something's not going to work. Better looking like you're too optimistic, than a prat if it looks a pig.

I really don' t know how you are so productive though, are you constantly on a red bull drip feed or something?? You seem to be able to churn stuff out, and quality stuff at that!! Wish I could do that!!

are those stainless steel discs as scales? Looks quite effective.

Can't wait to see it all polished up!!

Thank you!

I love how it looks like a monster fish maybe an idea for another piece!

You're right, Id hate to have a gut feeling about something and then deliver it an it looks awful! It look a lot to make the call but their response made it worth it.

I try to do as much as I can. I've changed my diet loads cause the 15 hour days and cold damp workshop were making me ill all the time. Now I drink a fresh veggie juice mixed with super food powders every morning and its way better than a red bull drip. Just a cup of coffee to kick start the engine. It's really been working great!

They are .5mm stainless disks, I made a tool on the fly press to dome them which gives them a proper scale look I can't wait to get it polished. I'm going to experiment on heat colours today cause Id love to put some awesome colours in it.

 

[chunkolini]

Zombie fish?
I have been looking at the primitive armoured fish for years.
Check out Dunkleosteous a true monster.

 

[bullet]

looks soooo cool, I need to get in my man cave a lot more! once ive completed my bird pens I should have some free time,
atb bullet

 

[pondman]

looks soooo cool, I need to get in my man cave a lot more! once ive completed my bird pens I should have some free time,
atb bullet

Thanks Bullet!

Bird pens sound interesting?

 

[pondman]

Zombie fish?
I have been looking at the primitive armoured fish for years.
Check out Dunkleosteous a true monster.

Wow thats a freaky looking fish!! That would look awesome as a sculpture do it!!

 

[bullet]

Thanks Bullet!

Bird pens sound interesting?

I fly a bird of prey, hoping next year to bred one so need to create more pens, I started out to make the roof and fronts out of steel and have it galved, I managed to do the roof but funds got low to do the fronts so I opted to make it out of wood, it should last me about 5 years before I need to change it,
atb bullet

 

[pondman]

I fly a bird of prey, hoping next year to bred one so need to create more pens, I started out to make the roof and fronts out of steel and have it galved, I managed to do the roof but funds got low to do the fronts so I opted to make it out of wood, it should last me about 5 years before I need to change it,
atb bullet

Nice one! I'd love to have and fly a bird of prey! Is it a lot of work?

 

[pondman]

Messing around with heat colours before I get it polished.

 

[bullet]

Nice one! I'd love to have and fly a bird of prey! Is it a lot of work?

not really, just common sense, just the training is the hardest bit as its down to weight control and commiting the same time of day every day whilst training it, but its only aslong as you make it, like now my bird is in its pen moulting out, I don't need to bother with him, i only feed and change his water, leave his food on the ledge, clean up every so often, but when im flying him Im out with him 5-6 days aweek, anything from an hour to 4hrs
its each to their own, the season starts around September through to about feb,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwV2ixZ3U-0


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zmNxDEEDCg

atb bullet

 

[bullet]

Messing around with heat colours before I get it polished.

looks fab, last pic would be a good one as if it had jumped out of the water!

 

[richi b]

I might be asking you for a pond cover soon. I had a vist from a heron early this morning and it emptied my pond of fish

 

[pondman]

not really, just common sense, just the training is the hardest bit as its down to weight control and commiting the same time of day every day whilst training it, but its only aslong as you make it, like now my bird is in its pen moulting out, I don't need to bother with him, i only feed and change his water, leave his food on the ledge, clean up every so often, but when im flying him Im out with him 5-6 days aweek, anything from an hour to 4hrs
atb bullet

No ways, thats amazing!! is that your bird? I'd love to have BOP, maybe when Ive got more time on my hands and somewhen to have a decent pen my wife wouldnt be to keen! Looks amazing though. Are they hard to train?

 

[pondman]

looks fab, last pic would be a good one as if it had jumped out of the water!

Thats how its going to be mounted in the pond so it looks like its jumping out the water.

 

[strada]

Excellent work pondman,
How do you find working with stainless instead of mildsteel ?
I recently made a small sculpture for a mate who owns a tackleshop in Fuerteventura,it was just the shop logo.I did the lettering out of some stainless i had and it was a pain in the a**e getting the scratches out,and keeping them out
Took it over to him last month, he was gobsmacked,didn't believe i made it ,cheeky sod