Welding Tips and Tricks

To make roses, I first cut three circles about 3.25" from thin sheet metal. I'm using an old fender. I clean up the circles with a flap disk. They don't need to be perfect. Then I mark an approx 3/4" circle in the center of each and five equally spaced lines around the outer edge. I find just eyeballing these is close enough. Center punch and drill a hole in the center of each circle for the stem. I use defluxed and polished 1/8" rod for the stem. Cut from the five marks on the circumference to the edge of the 3/4" circle in the center. Then fold the petals so that you can round the edges on a flap disk. Using pliers, carefully bend the petals into a sort of U shape. For the innermost row of petals, bend the U a little tighter and for the outer, a bit less. Fold the petals in with one edge overlapping the petal next to it. The center row will, of course, need to be folded the tightest and the outer, the least. I then weld each ring of petals to the stem starting with the center ring. I twist each ring around and experiment with the position until I like how it looks. I don't know what to call the piece that goes just below the flower but I make it from a four pointed star with a hole in the center. weld it to the stem then bend the arms down and curl the tips up. The leaves are cut from the same thickness as the flower but I use 3/32 rod for their stems. The pattern on the leaves is simply stamped with a chisel. Once it is all welded together, I look it over and give it little tweaks here and there, bending the petals out a little on the edges. Don't worry about being symmetrical, it's the little imperfections that give it character
I usually heat-blue and clear coat mine but I'm sure any finish could be used.

Cheers
-Eldon

Awesome post. A very detailed and easy to follow guide from start to finish.

really great post
thanks for sharing.
craig

Beatiful work.

I might have a pattern on pdf. If anyone is interested I can post it.

Good stuff there thanks for sharing.

AndersK wrote:Beatiful work.

I might have a pattern on pdf. If anyone is interested I can post it.

I am! Thanks Eldon, the pics help alot. How do you get the veining in the leaves? Looks like a chisel and piece of wood?

I use a chisel but work right on my steel welding table. Wood might let it stamp a little deeper. I'll try that next time.
Cheers
-Eldon

Also I usually tig these together but my argon is empty so I used mig. Sort of burned thru the leaves but I don't recommend that step.

Made these the wifes birthday.

Very nice. I like the look of six petals vs five on each row. Gonna try that next time.

Rah...is that one flower copper? That is too badazz. How did you do it?

This is awesome! lovely roses you have made, it seems to be difficult for me to make this but i gonna try it as my wedding anniversary is coming on march and i will gonna give it to my wife

I couldn't understand after picture number 4 how did you cut the steel in the shape of petals?

AlexG wrote:I couldn't understand after picture number 4 how did you cut the steel in the shape of petals?

It looks like he plasma cuts them and them slips a cutoff wheel in the slot to clean them up.

Thanks for posting this How To. This was my First Attempt it Didn't come out too bad. The only thing I did that I would change was the metal thickness. The stuff I used was .050 thick stainless which was a little tough to bend correctly. I really like the copper one that may be my next one to try

AlexG wrote:I couldn't understand after picture number 4 how did you cut the steel in the shape of petals?

In pic 4 one of the circles I cut out is shown bent so that the corners can be rounded on a flap disk. Then I flatten it back out. I should have made that clearer. Hope this helps.
Eldon

exnailpounder wrote:Rah...is that one flower copper? That is too badazz. How did you do it?

One is copper and one is stainless steel. I found a website that has printable templates.

Very cool project,can't wait to try it out!

xwrench wrote:

AlexG wrote:I couldn't understand after picture number 4 how did you cut the steel in the shape of petals?

In pic 4 one of the circles I cut out is shown bent so that the corners can be rounded on a flap disk. Then I flatten it back out. I should have made that clearer. Hope this helps.
Eldon

Now i got it thumbs up.

Heres the pattern I mentioned earlier
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B4jhtlZ ... cslist_api

Shout if the link doesnt work

Tip,
either laminate or glue the print to cardboard before cutting.
Makes it easier to scribe the metal with thicker pattern.