Part 3: Building "The Good Bean" Rolling Ball Sculpture - Big Spiral, Forming and Adding Track

I am creating a special themed sculpture to benefit the National Kidney Foundation during the month of March, National Kidney Month. Titled "The Good Bean," this sculpture has a kidney-shaped frame to highlight its connection with the NKF's efforts in raising awareness of kidney health.
In this installment I show the creation of another spiral and discuss a few particulars about proper track support. I weld then weld the spiral to the frame. Finally, I form and add track that runs from the large spiral to the end of the sculpture. It's really looking like something, but there are still cool things to come!
If you are interested in commissioning a themed piece for your own event, company or organization, please contact me at one of the links below. I'd be happy to speak with you about the possibilities.
Web site: www.tomharold.com
Facebook: tomharoldart

[@paulconrod4504]

Excelent work tom, BUT if I may point out,,,,,it is NOT a "spiral" it is a "conical helix"!!!!! A spiral is two dimnesionsl (flat) a helix is three dimensional

[@ericfuc]

Hey Tom, I love your art and I like your tutorials. I was curious, is it possible to make a reverse spiral? In other words, starting in the center and finishing on the outside. I just started my first copper sculpture and wow there are a lot of things to learn. You are very talented.

[@TomHaroldArt]

Thanks very much for the compliments, Eric. Yes, it is possible to do a beehive shape or inverted spiral. I saw a giant one many feet tall in a museum. You just have to make sure you control ball speed so that the ball doesn't fly off, and if you make the drop too steep that will happen as well. It's absolutely possible, though. I started in copper as well. It takes a bit of work to get the hang of things, but it's a great payoff! Keep at it!

[@MrBetovolador]

Thanks Tom for the turtorials , ¿ is this galvanized wire?

[@TomHaroldArt]

You are welcome. Thank you for the comment! No, this is not galvanized wire. It is stainless steel. If you weld galvanized metal it creates a poisonous gas! Do not weld galvanized metal!

[@PhuongNguyen-dk5sx]

Hi Tom, I watched your entire series. I'm really impressed with your skill and design. I wonder how you straightened your wire?

[@michelevitarelli]

great video. thanks for sharing.

[@TomHaroldArt]

Thanks so much for the compliments, Michele, I appreciate it!

[@garciarosa100]

Different size marbles have different track spacing. What are those track sizes? A 1" ball from center of the 1/8" rod to the center of the other 1/8" rod? From center to center is__________".

[@TomHaroldArt]

Track spacing is .80" center-to-center.

[@marblelegends-mastersofmar5033]

Hey Tom I am always excited when your videos show up on my to watch list! Good to see ya. Thanks for the lesson!

[@TomHaroldArt]

Hey, thanks so much for checking things out and leaving a comment! There is another one coming for this series. It's starting to really look like a piece of art now!

[@jeffreyboarman4032]

Tom do you build and sell any of your units

[@TomHaroldArt]

Yes, Jeffrey, I do. There is more info on that in the caption area of the video. You can go to tomharold.com for more info.

[@mehmetkaraqus]

Hi what is your weld machine name? Thank you

[@TomHaroldArt]

I put together a question and answer page on my web site that has that information plus more! You can find it here: tomharold.com/other2 I hope this helps.

[@mehmetkaraqus]

+TomHaroldArt great merci

[@wally3557]

Tom, I just watched one of your video's Part 3 of The Good Bean. I noticed you are TIG welding and occasionally you use some filler wire. What amperage are you using there?

[@TomHaroldArt]

I was doing similar welds tonight with the welder set at about 45 amps, Wally, but I use a foot pedal and was not stepping on it all the way. I sometimes set it as low as maybe 30 amps if I'm doing a tough weld and concerned I'll get it too hot and burn through. It's nice to have the extra heat if I want it, though, and just control it with the pedal. The filler wire is just standard 308 or 316 stainless, maybe .030 or .040 I believe. Thanks for watching!

[@wally3557]

TomHaroldArt Tom, I promise I won't continue to bug you but may I run a couple of details by you regarding my learning to weld. I'm trying to figure out why I am having trouble making these welds. I'm getting plenty of heat to the rods but the metal just won't flow between the joining rods. I have sanded them and cleaned them with acetone. Can you think of any suggestions or is this a lack of practice on my part? Again thanks Dean

[@TomHaroldArt]

Wally I don't mind helping at all. I had to start in the same place. Actually, I have one video on making a butt weld that you might want to check out and see if it answers any questions. I started practicing by making lines, "strings," of welds on a flat plate of steel. Have you had any success with that sort of thing? I'm assuming we're talking about stainless, but plain steel should be the same. Make sure the parts fit together well! A loose fit will give you issues similar to what you describe. Clamp them together if possible. What thickness of material are you using? If you have other questions, there is a Facebook page dedicated to Rolling Ball Sculpture with a bunch of cool people who would be happy to help you, plus you can post pictures and see photos of other people's work to help you along. Keep asking questions, and thanks again for checking out my work!

[@wally3557]

TomHaroldArt Thanks, Tom, I will look up that video right now! I think it may address these issues. Yes, I have practiced laying straight beads on stainless plate but I think I may need to do some more. I appreciate your willingness to help me out - I know you are very busy with your work. After I watch the video I may have another question or two. Dean

[@TomHaroldArt]

Wally Feel free to ask further questions, Dean.

[@TomClb15]

What kind of materials do you use?

[@TomHaroldArt]

I put together a question and answer page on my web site that has that information plus more! You can find it here: tomharold.com/other2 I hope this helps.

[@TomClb15]

TomHaroldArt Thanks so much =)

[@TomHaroldArt]

You're welcome. Glad to be of help!