Dog statue

My wife loves our Lahsa Apso, Murray, so I am making a little statue that she can put on her desk at work.
It's a secret project and I am sending it Fed Ex to her.... Gotta get brownie points whenever you can!! :)

This is what I want him to look like....
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d8...t/IMG_5085.jpg

First, I drew up an idea.....
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d8...t/IMG_1028.jpg

Draw and cut out a body shape...
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d8...t/IMG_1029.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d8...t/IMG_1030.jpg

Bend front arms and weld them on...
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d8...t/IMG_1032.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d8...t/IMG_1035.jpg

Next are the back legs...
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d8...t/IMG_1036.jpg

And weld them on....
My dog is missing a toe in the back and I couldn't remember what side so I left most of the toes off till I could check his feet.
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d8...t/IMG_1037.jpg

I started on some eyes but I think they might change....
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d8...t/IMG_1043.jpg

More to come as I work on it.....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CGCINC

My wife loves our Lahsa Apso, Murray, so I am making a little statue that she can put on her desk at work.
It's a secret project and I am sending it Fed Ex to her.... Gotta get brownie points whenever you can!! :)

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Man do I feel like an inferior husband .... I suspect your wife is going to love it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by undercut

Man do I feel like an inferior husband .... I suspect your wife is going to love it.

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Lol... I've just learned over the years that this stuff helps out when I screw up!! :D Like when I brought home a brand new Mustang without talking to her...:O I had a brain fart that day!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CGCINC

Lol... I've just learned over the years that this stuff helps out when I screw up!! :D Like when I brought home a brand new Mustang without talking to her...:O I had a brain fart that day!!

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Car or horse?

Cool little project.

Long as you do not bring home any cougars.

Changed the eyes this morning. Started going with the nut and bolt thing but this doggy has evolved..lol

This is good practice because TIG'ing tiny stuff is not easy!

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d8...rbust/eye1.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d8...rbust/eye2.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d8...rbust/eyes.jpg

thats neat , cute

Wouldn't it have been easier to simply dip the dog in plaster of Paris, hold it there until it stops moving, then allow the plaster to set up,
carefully cut it apart to remove the plug, and use the mold to make a bronze? :P

Seriously, I admire (and envy) your artistic sense. I'd like to be able to do stuff like that, but my level of artistic talent is such that when I can draw a straight line with a ruler and a pencil, I'm pretty pleased with myself.


Pithy quote:

"Anyone who hates kids and small dogs can't be all bad."

-- W.C. Fields

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Slartybartfa

Wouldn't it have been easier to simply dip the dog in plaster of Paris, hold it there until it stops moving, then allow the plaster to set up,
carefully cut it apart to remove the plug, and use the mold to make a bronze? :P

Seriously, I admire (and envy) your artistic sense. I'd like to be able to do stuff like that, but my level of artistic talent is such that when I can draw a straight line with a ruler and a pencil, I'm pretty pleased with myself.


Pithy quote:

"Anyone who hates kids and small dogs can't be all bad."

-- W.C. Fields

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This has turned into more than I planned..... :)


Working on the snout....

Cut tubing....
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d8...ust/mouth0.jpg

Heat and bend...
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d8...ust/mouth1.jpg

Make tongue... :)
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d8...ust/mouth2.jpg

Still needs some work but getting there....
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d8...bust/mouth.jpg

Last post for the week.... Real work has gotten in my way of progress... :)


Cut snout to fit dog body with twisted head....
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d8...orbust/7-1.jpg

Fit to body and figure out how to hold it while welding....
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d8...orbust/6-5.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d8...orbust/5-5.jpg

Weld it on....
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d8...orbust/3-7.jpg

Say hi to two toed Murray!
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d8...orbust/2-8.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d8...orbust/1-9.jpg


Next week will be the ears

Nice eyes! It's coming along very nicely.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Slartybartfa

Wouldn't it have been easier to simply dip the dog in plaster of Paris, hold it there until it stops moving, then allow the plaster to set up,
carefully cut it apart to remove the plug, and use the mold to make a bronze? :P

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Oh, that is sooooo bad! ;)

I need some idea's on how to make the body "hairy" looking. I'm thinking maybe just a rasp at an angle or a die grinder to make light grooves down the back bone...????

I might pulse TIG it on the sides for texture, the rough it up with sand paper?

Kidding, but magnetize the area you want hair on (wire and battery) and bring it here, I will roll it around on the ground. Will have little plasma/mig steel all over it.

It is actually coming along quite nice. Looks cool. Did Rod say cute??

Quote:

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Originally Posted by everlastsupport

Kidding, but magnetize the area you want hair on (wire and battery) and bring it here, I will roll it around on the ground. Will have little plasma/mig steel all over it.

It is actually coming along quite nice. Looks cool. Did Rod say cute??

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I wish it was that easy because I have a pile of shavings that would work perfect! :)

So did someone say it's freakin hot outside!! Holy cow, I think I've lost 4lbs. in sweat today

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CGCINC

I need some idea's on how to make the body "hairy" looking. I'm thinking maybe just a rasp at an angle or a die grinder to make light grooves down the back bone...????

I might pulse TIG it on the sides for texture, the rough it up with sand paper?

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How about soldering some of those copper pot scrubbers to the body. It would add "hair" and start you towards the coloring you're after.

Can you take a shot with a ruler/tape next to it. Easier to get an idea based on the size. Copper pot scrubber might to it, color wise if you can get the coating of it and let it oxidize.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by everlastsupport

Can you take a shot with a ruler/tape next to it. Easier to get an idea based on the size. Copper pot scrubber might to it, color wise if you can get the coating of it and let it oxidize.

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Those little Stronghand magnetic triangles are about 2" x 3" so I would say the pouch is just over 6". There are all kinds of solutions for coloring copper. For that matter you can easily electroplate the whole dawg with copper, then fool with colors and have a rust resistant finish.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rambozo

Those little Stronghand magnetic triangles are about 2" x 3" so I would say the pouch is just over 6". .

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Looked up the size of the magnet i used... Dimensions: 2 5/16in.H x 2in.W x 5/8in.D, so about 6" or 7" long maybe?
I will take a pic with a ruler next week.

Don't bother on the ruler, I totally missed the magnet. I was just wonder if this was 3", 6" or 12" thing for ideas on the hair..

Another idea for hair. A little labor intensive, but could be interesting. Take your MIG welder, and with some small MIG wire, zap a bunch of pieces to the body, about an inch or so long. Then you can shape them to suit. Bada bing, instant hair. You could even copy the curls and such.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rambozo

Another idea for hair. A little labor intensive, but could be interesting. Take your MIG welder, and with some small MIG wire, zap a bunch of pieces to the body, about an inch or so long. Then you can shape them to suit. Bada bing, instant hair. You could even copy the curls and such.

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I thought about that but he would look like a pourcupine!! :P