Gary Mulkey 1,171 Posted November 9, 2019 Today I got started on a mosaic pattern that may be my most ambitious. I'm going to attempt to build & inlay a live oak tree into a mosaic billet. I got the billet that I will use for the leaves made as well as another that will be the Spanish moss. Much of the rest will need to be done in a canister with different powders. I didn't get photos of each step so if you have questions, feel free to pose them. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Conner Michaux 199 Posted November 9, 2019 I’ve already got the popcorn ready, this one is gonna be good! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnK 23 Posted November 9, 2019 Curious me but how would it work forged out? A beginners assumption that it would squish the tree shape. If it was cut into wafers and laid/welded onto another thin billet it would resemble a forest. Im probably quite wrong but either way its very beautiful. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Will Wilcox 250 Posted November 9, 2019 Whoa... that's crazy looking so far. Cant wait to see it progress. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gary Mulkey 1,171 Posted November 9, 2019 31 minutes ago, JohnK said: Curious me but how would it work forged out? A beginners assumption that it would squish the tree shape. If it was cut into wafers and laid/welded onto another thin billet it would resemble a forest. Im probably quite wrong but either way its very beautiful. I'm going to have to be careful to not distort the tree as I forge it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Joshua States 1,239 Posted November 9, 2019 OK. You got this. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alan Longmire 2,089 Posted November 9, 2019 Ambitious indeed, but you can do it. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnK 23 Posted November 9, 2019 @Gary Mulkey indeed. Still beautiful! I'm partial to the forest idea 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Clifford Brewer 327 Posted November 9, 2019 Your work never ceases to amaze me.............. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Charles dP 386 Posted November 10, 2019 Oh wow On 11/9/2019 at 1:50 AM, Gary Mulkey said: if you have questions, feel free to pose them. I wouldn’t even know where to begin. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Doug Lester 216 Posted November 10, 2019 If anyone can do it you can. Anxious to see how it comes out. Doug 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gary Mulkey 1,171 Posted November 11, 2019 I got my live oak profiled today. I'll try to get the Spanish moss added tomorrow. The profile here is of 15N20 .065 bar. The leaves on the end of each branch are damascus as willl be the moss. This entire unit including the cardboard on which it is glued will go into a canister. I will then fill the inside of the tree with a 2% nickel powder to match the 15N20 and everything outside of the tree with 1084 powder . 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
James Higson 78 Posted November 11, 2019 Epic. That is all 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alex Middleton 329 Posted November 11, 2019 I can't wait to see how this one turns out. Out of curiosity, do you plan on forging this one to shape, or grinding it complete to minimize distortion? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gary Mulkey 1,171 Posted November 11, 2019 (edited) 16 minutes ago, Alex Middleton said: I can't wait to see how this one turns out. Out of curiosity, do you plan on forging this one to shape, or grinding it complete to minimize distortion? I will forge the clip, ricasso (choil). and tang but I'm sure that I will do more stock removal than normal on this one so as not to disturb the pattern any more than necessary. Edited November 11, 2019 by Gary Mulkey Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chris Christenberry 219 Posted November 11, 2019 I'm just sittin' here, quietly, because I know not what in God's name you are doing. This ought to be frikkin' interesting, to say the least. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gary Mulkey 1,171 Posted November 11, 2019 49 minutes ago, Chris Christenberry said: I'm just sittin' here, quietly, because I know not what in God's name you are doing. This ought to be frikkin' interesting, to say the least. Hopefully I'll be able to show you the process. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Joshua States 1,239 Posted November 11, 2019 2 hours ago, James Higson said: Epic. That is all Yeah. Second that. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alan Longmire 2,089 Posted November 11, 2019 9 hours ago, Zeb Camper said: Third! Motion passes! 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Clifford Brewer 327 Posted November 11, 2019 ,,,,,,!! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gary Mulkey 1,171 Posted November 11, 2019 (edited) I got the Spanish moss (W pattern damascus) added and the canister made. The next step will be to add the two powders. The outside will get a 1084 powder and the inside of the live oak will get a 1084 plus 2% nickel. My biggest concern is upsetting the pattern while welding the canister. I'll probably give it an extra long soak @ welding temp and then lightly work the canister by hand before going to the press. Edited November 11, 2019 by Gary Mulkey 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Conner Michaux 199 Posted November 11, 2019 Now that is going to make something cool... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alan Longmire 2,089 Posted November 11, 2019 Even if you just leave it as a plaque it will be pretty awesome. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chris Christenberry 219 Posted November 11, 2019 Talk about a newbie!!!!! I'm TOTALLY in the dark on this one. Just sittin' here in my warm house (15 degree wind chills here) wishin' I understood what you're doing Gary! I'll go back in my shell and just wait and see. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
