Recycled Scrap Metal Sheep // Mark II

After having already mad a scrap sheep last summer, and with all the positive comments received as a result of it, i decided to make a new one! This time I took photos throughout the making process. I hope you like it!

Step 1: Step 1: Sourcing the Metal

As an agricultural contractor, my dad is forever buying new parts for farm machinery, which often leaves the scrap bin brimmed full with old useless metal parts. Many of these parts are what are known as tines; spring like metal coils with long extensions. These then became the base of my sculpture. Each tine had to be steam cleaned and cut to size, then the paint ground off to allow for welding.

Step 2: Step 2: Assembling the Frame / Legs

The sculpture would be extremely heave, and so it was essential that the base frame was solid. A pair of 'legs' was welded to each end of a thick bar, then supportive smaller rods welded to these. The spring sections were then welded around this to form a 'belly' and an arch for the girth of the body.

Step 3: Step 3: Filling It In

Now it was a case of building up the body, a rather tedious task! Each spring was steam cleaned, grinded and welded into it's specific place.

Step 4: Step 4: Making the Head

The head was perhaps the most tricky part. Two springs were heated using a gas torch, then pulled and distorted to form horns. Smaller springs were used to form the main nose arch, then larger springs to form eye sockets in which a bolt would be welded to form the eye. To attatch the head to the body, a thick rod was welded to the inside of the chest of the sheep up to where the head would be, then the head was welded to this. The neck was then filled in with the remaining springs.

Step 5: Step 5: Final Touches

Finally, the whole structure was set alight (in a controlled manner of course!) to remove the paint, which will now allow the sheep to rust and create that rustic outdoorsy look.