Hi everyone,

new to forum, but have a unique issue with experience working in minture wire subjects.

Trying to make wings from wire in the shape of wings, its very difficult even though I studied the way resl fence is made I cannot seem to get an even consistent links.

Any suggestions

Maybe go to Michaels or something like that and see if anyone there can show you a technique.

It is the technique that causes the wire to act strange. Now there are two ways around this issue. One is to use blue masking tape and cover the wire and bend the mesh over an armature. the blue masking tape holds it in place as it is manipulated. The other way is to get the mesh hot enough to soldier with a propane torch. This takes a lot of practice and you MUST solder the wire over wood. The wood is sacrificial and this method is HARD to do. A least if the wire is soldered (Brazed) the links cannot distort when the mesh is bent. You might also try to find pre-brazed wire mesh. Some stores carry it and Micromark was one of the few online stores I seen actually carry it in steel and brass!


For what you are doing though try the Tape Method. And for your bending armature all you need is a curved surface to bend the work piece over. Look for something that is as versatile as a French Curve for drawing. You should get good results with this. Make sure your tape is perfectly flat on the work piece. The more contact the better. And blue tape will separate cleaner than conventional masking tape. If you need less tack or "stickiness" look for "Tack Free" Masking tape. It is typically white and peels real easy!!!

Thank you for your reply, I will try this.

SuzieQsf2

Is it possible to commission you or someone you know to do this for me? The sculpture will be bronzed and then the wings attached later, there will be up to 100 bronze statues, so the commission will be professional. And of course, will be paid as I get each paycheck as well.

I have no welding experience, but am very serious to either learn or have someone with your experience collaborate on the project.

Let me know if this is an option.

Thanks again AndyBgood

SuzieQsf2

I'm leaving for three weeks come Tuesday! If you are working with steel or iron look up Brass Brazing. It isn't AS strong as welding but it is easier to do. If you are actually working with bronze then you need to find a metal shop that knows how to weld bronze. Many community colleges have welding classes. It does take practice because welding has inherent issues.

Dang...you guys are making this hard....

Expanded metal mesh. You can get it are scrap yards and metal recycling places. Trace and cut out the wings with a $20 grinder/cut off wheel. Then just distort them to the shape you want to give it flow. You just got to solder two attatching rods to port it to the body of the statue.

I ain't any good at working with other artists but you should probably approach a local high school or college or technical school and ask the teachers who do shop classes if they would be interested in having thier students fabricate a set of wings from expanded metal.

I bet you would get some cool results.