DIY Welding Project: Raven Sculpture Art | MillerWelds

DIY Welding Project: Raven Sculpture Art

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Get wild and create a one-of-a-kind raven sculpture that brings nature indoors!
See Project Plans >

 

SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate/Advanced

TIME COMMITMENT: 10–20 hours

Here's what you'll need to get started.

Millermatic® 142
 4 ½ in. Angle Grinder
Bench Vise
 Simple Hand Tools (hammer,   vise grips, etc.)
Torch
 Welding Gloves
 Safety Glasses
 Welding Jacket
 Welding Helmet
 Sheet metal, 18 ga. -   1 ⅛ in. thick
 Recycled/repurposed metal   objects: sprockets, old tools,   ball bearings, nails and bolts,   saw blades, etc.
 

Tools used in building but not required:

  • Metal Shear
  • Air Die Grinder
  • Bolt Cutter
  • Fume Extractor

Step By Step

step 1

STEP ONE:

Select a good reference photo for the raven you want to make. Scale the image so you can have accurate measurements for the pieces you will use. In this demonstration, we scaled the image so the final sculpture would be 24 inches long. Each piece of this wildlife sculpture is different, and no two will be the same. Keep an open mind and pay close attention to dimensions and proportions as you build.

step 2

STEP TWO:

Begin by creating six-inch legs, each bent at a midpoint and form an angle between 30 to 40 degrees. Next, create assorted toe lengths, with the longest toe measuring 2 ½ inches. Then, form the claws at the ends of the toes using small, bent nail ends.
step 3

STEP THREE:

Shape the beak to ensure it has the correct curvature and sharpness of the raven in the reference photo you are recreating. Once the beak is formed, proceed to sculpt the head.
step 4

STEP FOUR:

Weld the eyes to the head keeping about 3 inches distance from the tip of the beak to the eyes. Then, create the eyelids by using washers and small round stock.
step 5

STEP FIVE:

Begin by welding the legs to the table,  then, once the legs are in place,  construct the neck that will hold the head approximately 8 inches above the legs.
step 6

STEP SIX:

Create the tail feathers and attach to the upper portion of the legs. These initial tail feathers will be about 12 inches long.
step 7

STEP SEVEN:

Carefully cut the legs free from the table,  then proceed to weld the toes made in Step 2 to the legs. The bird should be free-standing now.
step 8

STEP EIGHT:

Create the bottom layer of the wing feathers with curved scrap material and weld in place. This will be the base for the other “feathers” as you move upward.
step 9

STEP NINE:

Select randomly cut pieces of sheet metal and items like saw blades, and alternate placing the pieces on each side while welding them in place, moving toward the neck and head.
step 10

STEP TEN:

Start construction of the neck area using pieces with aggressive texture. Small sprockets or gears work well for this part.
step 11

STEP ELEVEN:

Next, form the wider section of the upper legs. For this demonstration, I used old saw blades I dulled down.
step 12

STEP TWELVE:

Then we want to create the bottom/belly of the bird. This was made primarily with cut pieces of ⅛-inch sheet metal scraps welded to the bird.
step 13

STEP THIRTEEN:

Fill in small areas between the neck and body, creating the neck of the bird. You can do this using small pieces of scrap metal and random small pieces of cut sheet metal.
step 14

STEP FOURTEEN:

After, you’ll want to fill in fine details in the face and head. Once again, use small pieces of available scrap. Things like washers, snap rings and hand tools were used for this section.
step 15

STEP FIFTEEN:

Finally, you’ll need to clean the sculpture with a wire wheel and debur any sharp or rough edges.

About David Groenjes

davids headshot

David, a Midwesterner with a passion for nature, turned his love for the outdoors into a successful sculpture business. While studying natural resource conservation and working for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, he honed his artistic skills. A move to rural Wisconsin in 2015 led to the creation of DG Sculpture & Design. Inspired by nature, David's sculptures have gained international acclaim through exhibitions and media features. Through his art, David aims to foster appreciation                          for the environment and wildlife.

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