Garden Arbor

[Blacksmith]

I made an arbor last night for my wife. She had bought some cast fleur de lies at a garden show this spring. They had a square opening about 7/8 inch in the bottom. I cut some 3/4 inch square two inches long and welded it into the larger one. On the advice of a friend who teaches welding, used some of the 7018 that came with my rod keeper. Couldn't decide on 105 or 120 amps, started with 105, he suggested 120 (1/8 inch rods) and I used 120 amps the rest of the night. Bent two 10 foot 1/2 rods (A-36) into graceful curves, welded them to the 3/4 inch with my favorite 6013. Put in two 1/2 inch cross pieces, welded the three little castings to three pieces of 1/2 inch (more 7018) then welded them in to form a suggestion of an arch underneath.

She loves it, now I just have to make two more - darn it.

Blacksmith

[Planet X]

How about some pictures so I can add to my 'creativity'?

[ChadRat]

I would like to see some pictures too. How did ya bend the rod?

[Blacksmith]

Garden Arbor

I'll post pictures as soon as I get some. I don't have a digital camera, still believe in 35mm SLR - I tried sticking the photo into the CD burner - doesn't work! Maybe the kids will take a picture with their Kodak disposable digital cameras we bought them for the end of school.

As a Blacksmith, I always have access to rigs, jigs and just plain contraptions. In this case, someone drug a 1 foot long piece of old cast iron pipe about 2 foot in diameter out to the shop. It has a hook welded to one end and I just stuck both 10 foot pieces of 1/2 (hot-rolled and therefore ductile per my earlier post) under the hook, sticking out about 3 inches and rolled the pipe across the floor with my foot, while pushing the long ends down. Lay them on the floor on either side of the top fluer de leis and then continue tweaking the curve until it looks right.

There's an artist inside me, trying to burn his way out!

Blacksmith