DIY Sheet metal welded sculpture finish - Cold gun blue

Watch Joshua De lisle AWCB walk you through the creation process with his hand forged works of Art and Luxury items.
In this episode Joshua demonstrates how he finished the Ram skull welded sheet metal sculpture with cold gun blue.
Download the Ram skull build patterns here:
www.etsy.com/uk/listing/68664...
Full tutorial for diy metal ram skull:
• How to - welded metal ...
Images by Jim Day photography:
jimdayphotography.com/
/ @jimdayphotography7267
/ jimdayphotography
Tools used:
Cold gun blue - amzn.to/2WA4Rxl
80 grit flap disc - amzn.to/311HagH
Spiral bands set - amzn.to/2Z92zTx
60 grit flap wheel - amzn.to/30ZsYER
120 grit flap wheel - amzn.to/2Kn70Ge
240 grit flap wheel - amzn.to/2Icc515
carbide bur cutting tools - amzn.to/2EPxagX
electric die grinder - amzn.to/2WItzLO
air die grinder - amzn.to/2WIqkUA
stainless wire wool - amzn.to/312AezX
Instagram -
/ delisledesignerblacksmith
Facebook -
/ delisledesignerblacksmith

[@RN-SM-SSBN04]

Just awesome. Thank you for sharing.

[@jimdayphotography7267]

Quality video mate. I really enjoyed seeing how you finished this awesome ram skull. It was such a pleasure to photograph this amazing work of art. Looking forward to the next one 😀👍

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you so much Jim! it was a real pleasure seeing your talents and i'm so excited to do future work with you, watch this space people!

[@eliktsur1]

just beautiful - tutorial and design

[@crchuckh6852]

Very well done you are a real craftsman. Thank you for sharing your work.

[@joshuadelisle]

Cheers Chuck!

[@heelf5277]

Came out SO GORGEOUS 😄, you take ages to upp, but when you upp, its ALWAYS something REMARKABLE

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you so much for standing by and supporting me, you can guarantee I will upload again and hopefully more often, however family, work, social and passions are a juggle that I'm learning to balance with a challenge. Because of your support I'll promise to keep sharing when I eventually have the time to create. Cheers J

[@danielcrawford7315]

Awesome as always Mr. D. It turned out really well. So many options and ideas below its killer so many want to help. What a project you've done sirSir. Thank you for sharing these things with us. 🙏blessings abundant sirSir, with peace and prosperity for you and your family, Crawford out 🧙‍♂️

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you so much Dan for your kind encouragement. It means a lot to me. Bless you and yours also. Cheers J

[@richarddavis4378]

Excellent job, I quite liked the rusty look too.

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you Richard. Cheers J

[@markbrinton6815]

It turned out very beautiful! Good work!

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you Mark. Cheers J

[@oliverschnabel8429]

I like it this project which you have done. It is absolutley awesome. This metal sculpture is super fantastic. In simple words.....I love it👍🏼

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you so much Oliver! Cheers J

[@PJTForging]

Glad to see you back Joshua! Skull looks awesome! Still waiting to see your take on the power hammer. ;)

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you I'm looking forwarded to it my self! Cheers J

[@gk6993]

Beautiful work.

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you Gary. Cheers J

[@davewilliams6172]

Good to see you back Josh...hope to see you at the Royal Welsh Show

[@joshuadelisle]

Thanks David! I look forward to seeing you too. Cheers J

[@nathanblanchet2648]

Super cool. I've got some welding to do with my powertig and would love to finish it this way.

[@andycamm6317]

Beautiful work

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you Andy!

[@brucemcnally3924]

Beautiful!

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you!

[@heardashot]

Exceptional high quality work as usual Josh. Fantastic!! Well done fella. That's a strong contender for any competition and the best of luck with the outcome. Thanks so much for great video content. You have a natural delivery and a lot of peeps are very thankful. Learning is so enjoyable. Good man.

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you so much! I don't think it will get placed as its not blacksmithing, but it will be nice to show and chat to people who fancy making one for them selves. All the best and thank you for your support. Cheers J

[@heardashot]

@@joshuadelisle You're very welcome Josh, Shake the tree and see what falls, that's all you can do. You just never know what doors such work can open. You got to keep trying. I'm flat out with a house build but I promise you I'll be in touch before the year is out and we'll get something ordered re plans and such. Really looking forward. Thanks so much, good night to ya.

[@joshuadelisle]

@@heardashot Bless you and thank you! all the very best with the house build I would love the chance to do just that. catch up again soon. cheers J

[@heardashot]

@@joshuadelisle You're very good Josh. Thanks very much. Will be in touch, keep up the great work & mind you & yours. God bless indeed.

[@snakeplisken3931]

Very nice work Joshua! Just found your channel and I'm glad I did.

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank so much I hope to do more soon. Cheers J

[@JesusvonNazaret]

good work, i like the result

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you so much!

[@girliedog]

Just found your channel, and am very impress with your skill, impressive work.

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you so much. Cheers J

[@sigaither]

I like to use a foam paint applicator to apply the cold blue solution, let it dry for a minute or so, the go over it with steel wool before dipping in water to neutralize. I do this for as many coats as it takes to get the bluing to my desired darkness. A fine steel wool works wonders smoothing everything out. That piece turned out fantastic. Hope to try it one day!

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you that's a great tip! Cheers J

[@railsonbarbosa5483]

Parabéns Joshua!!!!!!!!!!

[@tomthompson7400]

looks great

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you!

[@IanPaiceMetalArt]

Amazing. Love it :-)

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you!

[@ameenghuloom1346]

by the way I made one of your artistic works which is a horse with a candle. i do done it with wood and fiberglass. Thank you very much and wish you prosperity and success in your most wonderful work.

[@joshuadelisle]

I just saw when I looked at your image. you did a good job! i'm flattered..

[@DrLeFree]

wonderful! thanks for sharing that! :-)

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you Geoffroy!

[@trevorjarvis3021]

That’s some real skill you have there Joshua, credit to you!

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you Trevor! That's very kind. Cheers J

[@CoreniaBug]

Awsome!!!! :)

[@chrisedward7659]

Awesome

[@Izzy-qf1do]

Great videos

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you Izzy. Cheers J

[@Tylerthemusicophile]

I actually used this video to make one but instead of welding I brazed mine with brass and then blued it. The brass lines really make it pop.

[@joshuadelisle]

That sounds awesome well done! cheers J

[@SuperiorEtchworx]

A microfibre cloth really helps give consistant results with chemical patinas. The cloth needs only be wet but not dripping and you get a lot of control

[@joshuadelisle]

I tride one but didn't work so well, i'll try it again next time if you think so. cheers J

[@SuperiorEtchworx]

@@joshuadelisle when I use them , I keep rubbing it over the surface to build the colour. The solutions also work better on warm metal

[@joshuadelisle]

@@SuperiorEtchworx Thank you I'll remember that. cheers J

[@auto-did-act]

Good call. I was going to suggest a damp sponge dragged slowly across each surface with a fair amount of pressure to ensure coverage. You can get some fairly precise wedge-shaped sponge "brushes" at art supply stores for small areas

[@simoncook8772]

You could even use an oxy torch to blue it?

[@sayooj2k379]

More skulls ☠️ yoo U got the thing for this

[@olivergreaves5665]

Hey man, great stuff. I liked the original heat-pattern from the welds, good visual texture. I was thinking of a sheet metal "Gargoyle" (the original down-spout style), and just starting to watch this vid when you say "...it just started raining." My mind flips to the Japanese shishi-odoshi mechanism (water fountain "deer scarer" that makes a periodic "Thunk...." by using running water and a counterbalance). Into my head pops a gargoyle with a moving jaw that opens and vomits water, then closes with a soft "Clang". It is a thing that should exit, you are certainly capable of making it! Love the power hammer too by the way. Can't wait to see the two forms meet (sheet metal and blacksmithing). Maybe you've already done it, I'm new to the channel. Subscribed.

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you. That's a great idea. I'll have a think on that. Cheers J

[@wallacedavis8922]

We use a scotchbright pad to apply the chem then wash with water and backing soda to stop the oxidation then just dry. Most work is then sealed with lacquer

[@joshuadelisle]

That's sounds like it works well. Cheers J

[@artirjaj-l3481]

well done Man

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you very much!

[@artirjaj-l3481]

@@joshuadelisle this is pleasure to me look at Your amazing work , I'm sculptor this is my work -kzbin.info/www/bejne/eXiyp6allLiimqM ,,, it is not easy to impress me and You did ;) congratulation You are very talented Man

[@clydeulmer4484]

I was thinking that if my heat treating oven were several times larger, and I had a big drum of boiled linseed oil... But it isn't and I don't, so when my welding skills improve to the point where I attempt one of these I might very well blue it. I think a dim red LED behind each eye to make an infernal ram would be cool, but then I have a warped sense of humor :-) Clyde

[@joshuadelisle]

Ha ha brilliant Clyde! Love it. Cheers J

[@johnnyalphabet]

I think that the blue/rust mix looks amazing. If the rust process can be arrested and then lacquered, that's what I'm doing on your horse head sculpture that I'm currently making 😃

[@joshuadelisle]

Nice 👍 thank you. Cheers J

[@crackersbagina4317]

I find the best way of getting a beautiful deep blue effect is using a blow torch, if ur quick enough with heat and try not to miss blue or it will go brown. Sand down start again.. easy peeasy

[@realeyesrealizereallies6828]

Think I prefer clear coat for the skull as opposed to the bluing, and maybe gold horns...Silver and gold...But, that turned out nice too...

[@tomayrscotland6890]

Minted work of art.

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you Tom. Cheers J

[@barrymay4017]

I have just bought a blued rams head from EBay as I loved it so much which is how I found your channel mate - I don’t know if it’s one of yours but it’s been done to a very similar standard. Great job and thank you

[@joshuadelisle]

That's great 👍. It's likely not to be mine as I only sell my originals at galleries but I'm glad someone is doing well with my patterns. Cheers J

[@barrymay4017]

@@joshuadelisle it has had a stand made to allow seated display, attached with two screws but am thinking of removing it to wall hang and light as you suggested. Great site mate 😎👍

[@barrymay4017]

@@joshuadelisle I’ll stop bothering you now lol, following you on insta, cheers 👍

[@joshuadelisle]

@@barrymay4017 thank you so much. I'm glad you came to find me, Im pleased to know you like my design. All the very best. Cheers J

[@joshuadelisle]

@@barrymay4017 your always welcome. Let me know what other designs would be good to make. Cheers J

[@philipdunn7538]

That is looking cool. Ever tried to convert rust into magnetite? You have to let the iron rust and boil the entire piece in water. It'll leave a super even and durable finish. There are some solutions that you can apply to speed up the rusting process. The more cycles (rust and boil), the better.

[@joshuadelisle]

I havent but that sounds interesting. what solution do you boil it in?

[@philipdunn7538]

@@joshuadelisle Only water. Bring a pot to boil and keep it boiling. Submerge the entire rust covered piece and hold it there for 5 minutes. Then go back and create more rust....boil...rust...boil.... until you happy.

[@leehotspur9679]

Just a tipn have done some bluing on barrels Try warming in hot water Works better

[@ChristianH.1]

First, let me say that I love this sculpture. I’m not a fan of the bluing on this sculpture, but to each their own. I liked it how it was before you tried to blue it. I had a thought: would it have worked if you put the chemicals into a small plastic paint tray and used a small foam roller? Also, I have blued some engine parts under my hood. I have found that when cleaning the rust off… in addition to using wire-wool, spraying WD-40 onto the wool and then cleaning the rust off, it gives a better final appearance. Just my thoughts. Love the skull!

[@yojnespitteler]

Try wetting the part before brushing on the solution?

[@JayP0205]

There is a company in Santa for springs California that sells the avid finishing you were using and many more styles. They recommend to use another chemical to stop the reaction of the first chemical you used. As I was watching I knew immediately it was going to rust if you waited too long. If you wife and use that stopping chemical as the second step it would have kept the first awesome color you got!

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you. I'll look into that. cheers J

[@ameenghuloom1346]

First thanks for the excellent video and explanation. Second you look beautiful without beard 😎

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you!

[@drewskips6318]

Have you seen that EzCoat fluid to get a real pop in colour ? Loving this ram!!

[@joshuadelisle]

I haven't but I'll check that out thank you! Cheers J

[@joydeep1st]

Hi Joshua, awesome skull, I really liked it. I want to make metal statue like this but with sleeping eyes (like a sleeping doll you know). Any hint or any information to do it - would be helpful :) Thanks.

[@BILLBRAZIL100]

Hello. Absolutely awesome talented ! Please tell me what kind of finished you used on the horse head that you have outdoors near your shed that protects from the weather. Thanks a million and congrats on your channel.

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you. Its hot dip galvanized with a graphite patina. All the very best. Cheers J

[@crackersbagina4317]

Gentle heat metal before blueing it should help preventing rust colour..

[@franky1l]

How do you make your own templates? Do you use a certain program?

[@aigretbenoit]

try 3m cubitron fiber discs and pferd polyfan curves instead of flapper discs and cutoff discs

[@banpalman77]

good~~~~~

[@rodriguezrodriguez9392]

You should try reheating it you’ll get the same effect if not better

[@truenough86]

Hey mate awesome skull I noticed you had what looks like a cheap ebay tig (same as me) how did you get a pyrex cut to fit ? They on ebay or you custom make it fit?

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you. I did a video on it.kzbin.info/www/bejne/fqnOfIGrnNZ1g5Y

[@cerocero2817]

When are you going to show us the new power hammer in action?

[@joshuadelisle]

Next video when I can fit the time. Its going to be awesome, I've wanted power hammer again for a long time and this one is definitely cost effective. Cheers J

[@mikemoeller660]

Cant find that phillips professional blueing solution anywhere. Where did ya get it if you dont mind?

[@joshuadelisle]

Should be a link in the description. Cheers J

[@davidrichards3605]

Hi Joshua, as a matter of interest when you say you are going to wax it what do you use? Just Bees wax on its own or a mixture like wax, linseed oil and turps?

[@joshuadelisle]

Hi David. I use a micro crystalline wax, renaissance wax is a good one to use. cheers J

[@davidrichards3605]

@@joshuadelisle Many thanks

[@albertocosta3536]

Hi, which thickens are you using for the stainless steel sheet? Around 2mm?

[@joshuadelisle]

I would use 1.5mm for stainless. This one I did was 2mm mild steel.

[@user-xi2mq8tq3d]

А есть размеры, чертежи этого изделия?

[@NollieHofmans]

Hi joshua can you tell me where i can buy those drawings 👍

[@joshuadelisle]

There is a link in the description. cheers j

[@SnorrioK]

Did you know, you can get the same effect but without the brush strokes by using a gas torch?

[@joshuadelisle]

Yes heat blueing I know well and doing in a precise oven can get a good homogeneous finish. Is that what you mean?

[@SnorrioK]

@@joshuadelisle - I do mine with a propane gas flame. It's a bit irregular which adds to the art. It can be a bit difficult controlling it because if you go too hot, it will just become grey again.

[@joshuadelisle]

@@SnorrioK yes I use it on stainless and titanium parts mainly. I normally get steel parts hot dip galvanized but I thought I would experiment with cold blue as I've never used it before and the chemical reaction apparently helps rust and corrosion resistance. Cheers J

[@hyperhektor7733]

it would be interesting if you made it mirror polished + golden :D (with annealing en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tempering_(metallurgy)#Tempering_colors ) you just need an oven where it fits in. But a gasoven/torch wont work since the temperature must be even and precise (+-10degrees C). Gastorch works with smaller parts and patience, i did it with a knife , looks awesome.

[@timmmmy39]

would you have a pattern for a Bull's head?

[@joshuadelisle]

I do. I have a long horn steer coming soon

[@guidoluisarganitorrez3078]

Yo te pedi que mandaras porfavor las plantillas para poder hacer lo mismo, pero no respondes.

[@Edgunsuk]

oi oi im a gusnmith and a blacksmith the cold blueing like acid etching only really works on carbon steels ( i am typing this before i watch the video) but i am assuming it wont be that "blue"

[@joshuadelisle]

That's good to know cheers. It came out ok in the end.

[@robroyaquascapeandvivarium3806]

Next time try and temper it in an oven. Might be really beautiful

[@joshuadelisle]

That's a good idea. That would work well with stainless steel or titanium! Cheers J

[@joshuadelisle]

That's a good idea. That would work well with stainless steel or titanium! Cheers J

[@charleslake8231]

How much for ram skull

[@joshuadelisle]

£450 + delivery

[@boonedalton6201]

Use the foam brushes instead of the hair brushes

[@RX7UP]

How much for the ram head?

[@joshuadelisle]

There is a link in the description. Cheers J

[@earlparker9919]

How about a rottweiler head? I am retired now and got the time. Thanx

[@joshuadelisle]

Great idea. I love Rotties. Got a stag next. Cheers J

[@charleslake8231]

Dip it

[@EvelioPerez]

if you skip all the talking is actually a rather nice video

[@guidoluisarganitorrez3078]

No tiene sentido tu gravacion si no la compartes, y eso se llama egoismo