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Small Scale Steel Wire Welding
In this demo-focused virtual class students will explore creating small wire structures and cage forms using mild steel wire through oxy/acetylene welding. Participants will start by learning the basics of welding with the Smith Little Torch including tool usage and set up as they gain an understanding of the welding process. Working with a variety of gauges will be covered, to complete vessel-like forms, in both two and three dimensions of their own design. Finally, basic steel patinas and other finishing processes will be discussed to complete the wire creations.
Meet the instructor
Christine Clark is an artist living and working in Portland OR. Her work focuses on public art, installation art and abstract sculpture in steel, steel wire and mixed materials. She has had numerous solo and group exhibitions locally and nationally. She is a two-time recipient of the Oregon Arts Commission Fellowship Grant as well as a Professional Development Grant. She has been awarded residencies such as the John Michael Kohler Arts and Industry residency and the Ucross Foundation in Wyoming. She is a former Professor and Head of the Metals department at Oregon College of Art and Craft. Clark is a member of the Nine Gallery, an alternative art gallery that exhibits experimental and installation-based work and is co-owner of Ninety Twenty Studios, a maker/education space in Portland.
Materials & Tools
The following supplies will be used for course demonstrations and objectives. A suggested item and/or vendor has been provided below for reference. Click the vendor name to be redirected to a page where you can view the item. The quantities needed for each item are listed first. If ordering, please be aware that some items may come in larger quantities than needed for this class. We recommend not opening an item's packaging until the day of the workshop. Student participation during or in-between class sessions is not required - observers are welcome.
Metal/raw materials:
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1/4lb spools or larger x black annealed wire - .035, .041, .048, optional .063 (McMaster)
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8oz x black magic patina (Sculpt Nouveau)
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8oz x metal degreaser (Sculpt Nouveau)
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8oz x metal oil (Sculpt Nouveau)
Hand tools:
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1 x round nose pliers (Rio Grande)
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1 x chain nose pliers (Rio Grande)
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2 x flat nose pliers (Rio Grande)
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1 x snips / flush cutters - for steel (Rio Grande)
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1 x bench pin (Rio Grande)
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1 x half round hand file - #2 cut (Rio Grande)
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1 x half round forming pliers (Rio Grande)
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1 x rawhide / plastic mallet (Rio Grande)
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1 x steel block / steel surface (Rio Grande)
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1 x small steel ruler (Rio Grande)
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1 x ball peen hammer (Rio Grande)
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1 x brass hammer (Rio Grande)
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1 x bezel mandrel - 1mm to 5mm - optional (Rio Grande)
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1 x bracelet mandrel - optional (Rio Grande)
Torch setup:
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1 x fireproof area - steel sheet, tiles, etc. (Amazon or Home Depot)
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1 x torch - Smith Little oxy/acetylene (Rio Grande)
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1 x #4 and #5 torch tip (Rio Grande)
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1 x welding glasses / goggles - #5 shade (Cyber Weld)
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1 x striker or lighter - Silversmith system has one (Rio Grande)
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2 x 3rd arm (Rio Grande)
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2 x cross lock tweezers (Rio Grande)
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1 x crock pot or lidded glass container (Rio Grande or Amazon)
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1 x tempered glass container or sink - for quenching and rinsing
Other/miscellaneous materials:
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hard work surface
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fan and open window or ventilation system
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safety glasses
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pencil, Sharpie, notebook
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black and silver Sharpie markers
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cotton rags
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2 to 3 cheap 1" brushes