RG 45 is a mild steel gas welding rod.  The rod is steel but has a copper sheath.  For you and I this means that we get the color of copper and at the same time the strength of steel. 

RG 45 is easy to get and quite reasonable in cost.  Since it's a welding rod you can get it at your welding supply. 

It comes in 36" lengths and in different diameters such as 1/16th, 3/32nd, 1/8th, 5/32nd, 3/16th and 1/4".

Since the late 60's I've used literally tons of this material for trees, bicycles, fences and components for structures such as covered bridges and barns.

The rationale for this video is that today there is a once again a market for these pieces.  It's a cases of "what goes around comes around".  What old is new for those who are decorating in what is called "retro decorating".

The term for this type of sculpture is "Mid Century Metal Sculpture".

I had never heard this term, but one of my son's and his wife live in Chicago and told me "Mid Century" is very big.

It's particularly appealing to younger generations who did not experience the 50's and 60's.

Featured in this video are three pieces.  The first piece is quite easy to do, the next is a little more difficult and the third is more challenging. 

Below are the three pieces and the sizes I used in the video.  However, they can be made larger or smaller.  I've done the sunburst as large as 48" diameter.

19" X 14"

27" Diameter

Each half is 16" height - 8" width

Click for larger images

This piece can be positioned in any number of ways.

An example

From these three pieces you'll be able to branch out to similar design and then develop your own variations.

Materials are primarily the RG 45 rod which as mentioned above is easy to obtain.  The cost for the materials is quite modest.

For the sunburst you'll need some sheet copper.  For the sunburst in this video I used scrap copper that was left over from other sculptures.  (If you want you could substitute brass, stainless or just plain sheet metal).

This is definitely a "step by step" video.  As always if you have any questions you can email me.

The techniques involved are rather simple:  Wrapping a few circles, cutting some shapes and brazing with the oxygen acetylene torch.

 Running time:  66 minutes.