How to Make a Sculpture out of Railroad Spikes - Kevin Caron

Kevin explains how he built a base from found materials, then shows how he welds on the spiky "branches" he built, and then begins the bending to create a new version of an ocotillo. He got really creative with this one - see the twists and turns for yourself at http://www.kevincaron.com/art_detail/twisttie.html

Category:

Education

Tags:

• railroad
• spike
• sculpture
• making
• oxygen
• acetylene
• welding
• Kevin
• Caron

[kevinacaron]

Thanks. This is a very complicated piece. There were lots of bends to keep track of has I was heating and bending. It only takes a second to lose track of which parts are cool enough to touch and which parts will set your glove on fire when you grab it. Because of the time it takes to get each spike hot enough to bend and the gas the torch burns I will post a different video on the bending later.

[kevinacaron]

I can make a video on the machines. I will try to get it up in a few days. Thanks for the suggestion.

[VisorBlue]

Cool. Is there going to be a part 2? Bending?

[AsktheBuilder]

Kevin,

Can you make a video explaining the actual welding machine? How does it work? You never have a welding rod in your hand. How does the welding wire come out of the tool tip? Many questions from those of us who don't weld.