How to - welded metal sculpture - Ram Skull - Full Tutorial

[@heardashot]

This guy is quickly becoming my favourite smith on the tube, i think he does not realise just how good he is. Very unassuming no fussing about straight up talking top quality projects. Thanks very much Josh, fantastic work my good man. Really looking forward getting into these projects one day. Every encouragement to you & good luck!

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you very much for the kind comments that's very nice of you. Cheers J

[@heardashot]

You're very welcome Josh, its a pleasure. Keep up the great work from that little shed! Every encouragement to you. Looking forward getting in touch. I'll not leave it too long! Thank you!

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you all the very best to you too. Cheers J

[@danielcyngiel3691]

Jesus Christ, finally a welder with real skills doin' this low poly sculptures! Excellent work sir!

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you. lots more to come soon. cheers J

[@maddesignsllc9407]

Another great piece. I just finished your horse head, and will be auctioning it to raise money for a family fighting cancer. Thank you for sharing your patterns with the world!

[@joshuadelisle]

Wow thank you! How do I find out more about this? Well done! Blessings. J

[@daxinventor3542]

I have seen great metal working, but this is a true master at work. The detail and expertise is beyond anything I have ever seen. Auto body shops would pay you anything that you wanted just to make special parts for their custom motor cycle and car builds. Good video and excellent craftmanship sir.

[@pierdolio]

I will buy your plans even though I may never complete a project because I feel that you deserve it for your fabulous creativity and your decision to share.

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you so much Adam for supporting me and my family. I'm just finishing off the Ram skull ready to take to the summer shows and should hopefully upload a video soon. I've got all the parts ready to build a power hammer also and will start building it soon after. All the very best. J

[@richardhooper5247]

Found your channel on holiday. Almost done all the videos. I don't think you realise how good you are explaining techniques and tips. Love your work, needed an excuse to buy a tig now I have one. Well done and keep it up. Think an Eagle would look the biz.

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you so much! an eagle is on the cards, designing a stag currently, cheers J

[@Dexteran]

Started on my first ram skull today using your design, I had three complete sets watercut from a local shop. Planning on completing them after my dayjob and hopefully before christmas. Its hard work, but genuinly satisfying! Keep up the great work. Norwegian fan.

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you Andreas. Any problems please let me know. All the very best. I've got lots more to come but currently snowed under with current commissions. Got a stag and long horn steer ready to go. Cheers J

[@rodanderson5268]

I'm training to be a blacksmith at HLC and are very pleased to have found your channel, great instruction mate, you are very generous with your expertise! I am most grateful, thank you!!!

[@joshuadelisle]

All the very best. Say hay to Henry pomfret and Adam green for me. cheers J

[@rodanderson5268]

@@joshuadelisle Will do mate, keep up the great work and best to you and family over Christmas and New Year!!

[@-EC002-]

Just the first three pieces looked like a unearthed skull fragment. Stunning sculpture!

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you! it was very satisfying to make and watch it come together so quickly. cheers J

[@weldninja6922]

Saber tooth tiger skull, cow skull, elephant anything, You have given me so many ideas. Thanks for sharing

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you so much. Got a stag and a long horn steer coming very soon. Cheers J

[@davidmartin5637]

Your videos are an inspiration! Thank you for taking the time to share your craftsmanship and artistry!

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you David that's very kind, I feel very encouraged. Cheers J

[@dennishicks8962]

Thank you!! As a new rug welder this is a great way to practice and make something very cool all in one! Great channel!!

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you so much. All the very best. Cheers J

[@alanm3438]

I have watched this before but it was exciting to see it again. You did a wonderful job. I have made a lot of metal art in the past and I sure can relate to what your were doing. I would love to make one of my own but I do not have any customers where I am living at now. The pandemic killed my small metal art business. I do plan on making a life size deer out of rod. You did a nice job on the video, the design and the sculpture. Thanks from Wisconsin, USA. 😃😃😃😃😃😍

[@spencerschreffler4]

I want it! It's be a perfect hood ornament for my old Dodge Pickup.

[@joshuadelisle]

Great Idea! Cheers J

[@luciotravaglini4748]

Respect to dirty fingers! Hats off to you. There's no way one can have clean fingers without getting a bit "dirty". Stay the course . All hails to you 🤟🤓

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you. You're too kind. Cheers J

[@flyingdutchmanforge5795]

I know I’m watching this 2 years later. But I’d leave it raw! The tempering colors from the welding almost look tribal! I need to order the templates, (and a tig welder) and make one!

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you so much. It would be awesome if it was stainless or even Ti to get those colours even more vivid. Cheers J

[@flyingdutchmanforge5795]

@@joshuadelisle Thank you for all you do. I know making these vids takes a lot of time and effort. I’ve tried!! I have a broken ankle at present and also an axe injury to my left thumb. (Long story) So I’m binge watching KZbin. I love your power hammer! I especially liked the moment in vid #4 where you whispered to the camera about the music in your vids. I have 2 kids myself, 7 and 4. So when I’m out in the shop my sound track is very similar to yours lol. Anyway I’m rambling, keep up the awesome work!

[@joshuadelisle]

@@flyingdutchmanforge5795 thank you so much for your kind encouragement. I pray you make a swift recovery and get a ton of inspiration while you do. All the very best. Cheers J

[@ct4sberg]

So happy to find your channel! Your design creativity, and metal working skills are inspiring. If I ever win the lottery I will build you a giant, state of the art workshop. What you are able to accomplish in such small shed is incredible. Thank you Joshua.

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you so much. cheers J

[@ivanwalker3391]

There is some serious "skulduggery" going on in your shed. Brilliant, maestro!

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you. Cheers J

[@jalalghiasbeygi5609]

I found this video randomly, it did help me a lot on my project thanks alot

[@dennishicks8962]

I was thinking the same as you. Gun blue would look really good. The hot salt method and not the cold blue style. The hot salt just gives such a deep rich color

[@Ipschnug]

Just bought the plans! I'm always happy to support such amazing art and craftsmanship!

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you so much! Your support enables me to do this. Cheers J

[@stevenlarsen1691]

Wish my Chromebook would download your stuff; I would own them all.

[@joshuadelisle]

Your very kind. You should be able to download to chrome book though. What troubles have you been getting and I'll see what I can do to help? Cheers J

[@MarkMorris-ld5bw]

Absolutely perfect design! I didn't hesitate to buy the templates, I've already built one using expanded PVC and super glue. I intend to build one out of steel next. I'd love to see the big cat design you mentioned or the Saber tooth tiger other people have suggested. Thanks, your cannel is informative and entertaining!

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you so much. hopefully lots more designs coming next year . cheers J

[@grahamsales1249]

Very Inspirational, you've certainly got me going. The paper/cardboard model is KISS principal to a T. I find the Tig welding colour has a special effect for me on this metal sculpture. 10 points. Graham NZ.

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you so much Graham. Got lots more to come. Just quit my job so I can do more. Cheers J

[@grahamsales1249]

@@joshuadelisle You've been seduced by the artistic passion for what you do. All the best. Your videos are a great tuition lesson for me every time.

[@joshuadelisle]

@@grahamsales1249 thank you. God willing passion will pay off. Cheers J

[@EVeys-ro6zu]

Love the humble, no nonsense approach! skills also..

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you, your very kind. Cheers J

[@rodrigomundim4963]

Thank you for the presentation. I'm starting on metal art and your vídeo helped me a lot. My best wishes from Brazil.

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you so much. I've got lots more coming soon. Cheers J

[@robertcoyle1532]

I've done a lot of this type of sheet metal welding. I used to use jigs and magnets. now I pretty much use strips of masking tape to keep every things aligned in 3D. Works great till you can get a tack in. Things don't move around and you can adjust it with no trouble.

[@joshuadelisle]

Cheers Robert. J

[@Edgunsuk]

there is a special tape for welding called p.e.t. tape high heat low residue and reusable,im sure a google can find it

[@BuildswithBrian]

You are very creative and talented my friend, especially liked seeing those horns come together 👍

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you. you're very kind. Cheers J

[@lukearts2954]

finishing suggestion: anneal the unaffected parts too, then acid bath to create oxidation and leave it unfinished, or matte clearcoated.

[@lukearts2954]

awesome video tutorial, by the way! I've already forwarded it to friends to check out your channel :))

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you very much Luke! I like the sound of that must try it. Cheers J

[@RN-SM-SSBN04]

Amazing work. Well done. I love watching you work and how you explain your processes.

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you so much. Cheers J

[@ChristCenteredIronworks]

Really love this Joshua! You sir are and have always been a great artist and craftsmen...don't ever stop my friend and may God bless you on your Journey! P.s I will watch more of this later when I get done working :-)

[@joshuadelisle]

Thanks Roy so much for your support, I've got a mini clip publishing very soon tonight! keep watching, cheers J

[@ChristCenteredIronworks]

@@joshuadelisle very welcome your worth it! Keep up the great work brother and I'll be looking forward to the video later as well :-)

[@joshuadelisle]

Thanks Roy, blessing to you and your family!

[@jamesrobinette3038]

Really awesome work! Please build a pronghorn antelope head....that would be really cool

[@JesusvonNazaret]

you did a great job explaining all the steps and the skull looks amazing

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you very much! I'm really glad you liked it. Cheers J

[@rafasamurai]

Dude this is amazing, I’ll totally learn how to tig weld, you have inspired me! As soon as I buy the gerar I’ll buy all your templates! Thank you very much. Also I would like to ask you to show us your design process to achieve this amazing forms. It wold be incredible to see your approach to design a tiger or some big cat! Thank you so much!

[@joshuadelisle]

I really want to do a big cat. But I'm doing a stag next by popular demand. I won't be giving away the process or I'll loose my USP... But I will share my inspiration. I have a large library of images of things I like, every time I see an image that I like the shape or composition, or emotion etc I save it. When I look back through it helps me understand what exactly what it is that has such appeal. I like to analyse what makes something look cool and then I try to replicate it in my own work. Cheers J

[@Speedlaw2000]

I’d like to see a Tyrannosaurus Rex! Thanks for posting!

[@joshuadelisle]

Yes I will, stag next and lots more. cheers J

[@jeffpeterson6335]

Excellent! Looks a bit tougher on this one. I Still vote for a bison head or boar head.

[@MadixLP]

Wow, first the horse head, now this. I'm really tempted getting a tig welder now :) I'd love to see your take on a dragon (like already mentioned) or even better, a fox. Keep up the awesome work and I really hope that your channel gets the attention it deserves. Cheers!

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you so much, a fox is good idea! You should get a TIG welder, they are very cheap to buy now, you can spend a lot on one but i have a cheap one and its fine, I use a more expensive industrial one at my day job that is all singing all dancing but you don't need much for this kind of work. All the very best. J

[@tomwagemans1872]

I would like the Fox to. I live in a Belgian village that translates into Fox Village. Could be cool to have one.

[@heelf5277]

Fantastic, PROPPA project mate, WE LOVE YOU 😄

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you very much, your support is very appreciated. cheers J

[@paschalia100]

Great work Joshua, Beautiful piece of art Thanks for sharing

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you for watching Brenner!

[@garyhuston]

Fantastic Joshua! What a great build. I can't wait to put one together! I know you have a big cat in mind but i would love something like a red kite as we have so many round here I would love one in my garden 🦅

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you Gary I hope you have great fun making it.. I like the idea of kites, I did think barn owl too.

[@wilfredoperdomo3797]

Joshua is awesome really awesome

[@miles3787]

A wolf would be awesome. Either the skull, or even the entire body.

[@joshuadelisle]

A wolf would be great! Thank you for watching. Cheers J

[@derby1919]

A suggestion for another project, what about an Elephant?

[@jasonsquibb9581]

That came out fantastic! Love the video too! Thank you.

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you. Cheers J

[@marcoaescobar7097]

This is an ''EXCELLENTE ART'' Felicidades Congratulations.

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you so much. Cheers J

[@arifkocum6598]

incelik zerafet ustalık çok güzel ellerinize sağlık teşekkürler

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you so much. cheers J

[@gregkral4467]

That looks really cool. Thanks for sharing.

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you for watching!

[@erictaunton2183]

Hi Joshua I have been watching your videos and I think they are very impressive well done 👍

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you Eric. Your very kind. Cheers J

[@tomthompson7400]

very nice , great follow along video , most folk could tackle that ,,, may be do half of it with a mig , most folk have a mig ,, , great not to just use a wheel or a shrinker stretcher etc ,

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you Tom! You could definitely do it with a mig. I will do another video at some point making a sculpture with all the welding processes such as stick(MMA), gas, tig, mag, solder etc. All the best Tom. J

[@tomthompson7400]

many thanks ,,, its just to keep things in reach for the average diy welder . a bull and a cow would be a nice project , nearly the same , but so different ,,, i really must get round to doing a horse .

[@joshuadelisle]

Thanks Tom I like the Idea of doing a bull. cheers J

[@tedhargiss1056]

That is the coolest thing ever! I'm relatively new to tig and want to try my hand at sculpting.

[@workingwithiron]

Really like this dude!! Well done and some great b roll to boot. Wolf head or even a full body wolf would be cool, or a rhinoceros or maybe a triceratops 😂 whatever you do it's gonna be good!! Hopefully see you at bringsty soon!

[@joshuadelisle]

Thanks Nath! Wolf is in the lead so far in the comments. I like the idea of doing a Dinosaur! Good one

[@TaWelding]

Best tutorial ever. Thanks for the amazing video bud.

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you!

[@johnlansdowne6050]

WOW that’s bloody brilliant!

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you John. Cheers J

[@SLfamily1]

U r a good teacher for me . Really . Thanks

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you. Cheers J

[@kimberleydiann771]

Thank You very much for sharing your Beautiful work! ✨✨✨

[@dennishicks8962]

A Samir’s star or a Spartan helmet would be great to learn how to make too!

[@joshuadelisle]

Sounds like a good idea. Cheers J

[@dennishicks8962]

Was supposed to be Sailors star like a compass star. Anyway great job!!

[@lorasmith8622]

Love your work... have your horse head plans. Getting these now.... would love to c a dragon. Keep up the amazing work my friend.

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you Lora. A dragon would be awesome! Cheers J

[@atmm89]

how about an 8 leg woof spider as large as your ram head, I am 3 years too late I think but well done and all the best to you from Australia

[@yalafilmsdavidjwoodall9201]

Nice piece man!!!!!

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you David. cheers J

[@xmradio11]

Good job! I'd like to do it made of stainless steel and polish it to look like chrome since that's the kind of work that I do. I've made a few polished stainless sculptures but mine have all been abstract designs. I like to bevel the edges so there's a fine seam and then fuse weld it. That leaves a slight radius to the joint but I'm ok with that. That leaves almost no grinding clean up before polishing. Too bad that fusing doesn't work well on steel. Again it was a pleasure seeing the work that you do because I've seen a lot of what to me is total butcher work on metal in other videos.

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you so much! I would love to do Titaium but I haven't got the money that just yet. cheers J

[@alexandrapanayotopulos1273]

DRAGON!!!!!!

[@akittredge]

I'd love to see a triceratops!

[@joshuadelisle]

That would be awesome! Cheers J

[@adrianw.1638]

thanks a lot! appreciated that you keep it simple!

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you. Cheers J

[@JCMakerspace]

Excellent video, thanks for sharing your skills.

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you very much!

[@pistolpeds]

Looks great just how it is. Wonderfull vid and musc

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you. Cheers J

[@DirtyShedCreations]

Love this, really interesting technique!

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you!

[@tomayrscotland6890]

Excellent Sculpture, That will be worth a few bob worth all the time spent on it, Putting one of those lights that change colour would be a novelty?

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you. Cheers J

[@MrFERENGI]

very nice work , and very informative

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you. Cheers J

[@girliedog]

Fantastic work.

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you. Cheers J

[@petechamps2897]

An English Bulldog would be wonderful please

[@diegomontes9365]

I think an elephant wold be a really sweet idea.

[@joshuadelisle]

Sounds like a good idea. Cheers J

[@radharamanan5003]

thanks for sharing your technique

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you!

[@guidoluisarganitorrez3078]

Me encanta lo que haces, yo soy artesano en metal y me dedico a hacer casi lo mismo pero necesito las plantillas, gracias.

[@julianjaramillo645]

Thanks awesome work

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you for watching. Cheers J

[@vadimandruzhechkov5753]

You should try brazing it with SiB siliconebronze it would look really cool!!

[@joshuadelisle]

I like the sound of that! Cheers J

[@stevenlarsen1691]

Look'n good. Damn good. Thank you for sharing.

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you for watching. Cheers J

[@railsonbarbosa5483]

Parabéns!!!!!!!!!! uma aula!!!!!!!!

[@mikemoeller660]

outstanding work sir! Joshua I used a dishing stump for rounding edges on some of my pieces on the horse, didn't know if you had any experience using one for these for curves/bends. small stumps are free!!

[@joshuadelisle]

I tried to design it in a way that the pieces should only curve in one plain in any segment, if you curve them in 2 plains the parts might not fit as well as they could. Its mainly to make it more simple for people to build as raising and dishing stretches or contracts the steel distorting its original shape which can be hard to replicate if you're a beginner. Using stakes and dishing bowls are great for making armour though. I would use a fuller or like I did on the horse also using a simple round bar and soft wood v block. All the best Mike. Cheers J

[@ramiropita269]

Amazing!!!Thanks for sharing!!!

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you for watching! Cheers J

[@jessbubb6339]

Really good effort trying your hand at metal sculpting... keep practicing you might get to art sooner than you think but for now your basic layout model looks ok.

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you Jess I'll do my best. Cheers J

[@TheAntipedy]

unreal mate

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you. Cheers J

[@waterboy8999]

Nice work.

[@joshuadelisle]

Thanks David!

[@user-it4ts7uj8r]

keep going my friend . awesome awesome

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you!

[@davidbeecher5698]

Awesome the way you explained everything thank you have you done a white tail deer head.

[@joshuadelisle]

Thanks David, i'm doing a stag next. cheers J

[@notasbignow1]

Hi how much would be to buy that Ram’s skull that I just watched you making that amazing Ram’s Skull as myself and my wife are Arises and it matches my Tattoo on my chest totally amazing as I don’t think I can make it please 🙏 I would love to buy this for my wife for Mother’s Day

[@marcusvandermerwe261]

Excellent work

[@alevorato9797]

Hello Joshua! First of all, congratulations on your wonderful work. I would like to know what was the thickness of the sheet metal you used in the project? Thank you so much!

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you so much. I recommend 1mm thick steel. cheers J

[@StargaardArt]

Fun fun fun!!

[@derby1919]

Joshua you are a very tallented guy, I enjoy making things, and I would love to do what you are doing. Im in Preston lancashire are you nearby? Regards Chris D

[@malj7890]

Thank you great

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you for watching!

[@GMetalArt]

Nice

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you

[@viatronmac]

Would really love a good elephant template?

[@user-vm9mu7mv6p]

I would like to get a set of your templates

[@notasbignow1]

Hi I am wondering how much would be to buy that Ram’s Skull that I just watched you make the amazing skull as myself and my Wife are both Aries’s and I would love to buy this for my wife as it would be awesome for my wife’s Birthday and Mothers day 🙏

[@joshuadelisle]

Hi. Thank you. If you would like to DM me on Instagram or Etsy I can give you my prices. Cheers J

[@andrewtucker1812]

AWESOME Work !!!

[@sportflyer]

Marvellous.

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you very much!

[@mikemoeller660]

I am building this now. A couple of areas I had a very very hard time on are the rear of the skull and the horns are very difficult. Wish You would do a video of just the horns coming together and not sped up as that to me was by far the hardest part. The backside of horns never really lined up for me but I am not as skilled as Josh either.

[@joshuadelisle]

Hi Mike. What thickness did you use? Thicker is harder to form but easier to weld, for 2mm I use a stiff pair of flat bit tongs and large pair of scrolling tongs. The tacks if they have a little gap can be compressed shut with a plannish of a hammer. I'm using 1mm steel in the next videos coming up to make it easier and I'll demonstrate how to weld thin material. If one side is too stiff from tacking and not meeting the other side's then break the tacks and bring the other side closer first and gradually bring all sides together at the same time by moving one part a little bit, tacking then moving to the next, all most like your spiralling around the horn as you form it. Hope that made sense. Cheers J

[@mikemoeller660]

@@joshuadelisle I use 14 gauge steel for the Ram. Thanks for all the great info and I ill keep workin on it with my son. I have another set of pieces to start a second one right away but I want to make all my mistakes on this one first! I may have to get some better tongs from your advise as well. Many thanks and god bless.

[@r-joule]

Are you planning to make any more designs soon bud? I can only see the 2 animal sculptures on your Etsy shop, great work

[@joshuadelisle]

Hi Robert. Yes my new stag sculpture will be released this Wednesday. Soon I'll also release my longhorn steer. Then I've got plans for a hammer head shark, then I'm open to doing either a wolf, bear, dinosaur, full size horse, hawk, dragon etc. All the very best. Cheers J

[@r-joule]

@@joshuadelisle wow, cannot wait for that stag head! It's my wife's birthday at the begining of March so I'm hoping to make it for her. Couples of questions if I may, the piece of wood with a slot in, I'm thinking is it about 10mm wide? I was wondering how to make it, clamp 2 pieces of wood together and drill through the centre seam? Also, do you have a way to pay for plans outside of Etsy to save yourself some fees? Thanks

[@joshuadelisle]

@@r-joule hi. You could do that with a drill press, I think I actually just used a saw to cut a V shape. I would say 20mm will work well. I like Etsy because its automated, keeps all my invoices organised, I get data about how things are performing and they advitise relative to the interest the shop gets, so Im ok with giving them a very small cut for the service they provide me. Depending on your location there is VAT added on though. Cheers J

[@r-joule]

@@joshuadelisle thanks, as soon as I see the stag on there I'll check out and get it straight on my laser cutter. Btw, anyone looking for pieces being cut, drop me a message, I'm located in the UK and only have a £25 minimum order charge (delete if not allowed). Thanks

[@messylaura]

would using the white vinegar + water trick work with this to make it look rusted without actually being rusted, you can clear over it after

[@joshuadelisle]

I think that work fine. I've done something similar with a lacquer that made it look like leather. Cheers Laura. J

[@perfectcraft6142]

Just wow, u r damm talented, I wish you give training to me at your work place.

[@joshuadelisle]

Thank you! I may be doing classes at some point in the future. I need a bigger workshop for that though. All the very best. Cheers J

[@perfectcraft6142]

Whenevr you start your class, pls let me know Sir, my contact no 918982348081 M huge fan of yours

[@michaelbrown3712]

A great video great work