Dragon Scales

I was inspired by this artist's bottle cap fish to create my own bottle cap dragon. 540 beer bottle caps (170 Amber Bock, 206 Killians, 68 Budweiser Select, 96 Budweiser) make up this 41 x 43 inch piece.

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Step 1: Planning

I took some time to draw out the design in my notebook and to measure the size of a standard bottle cap.

To save on the amount of caps I would need to complete the design, I decided to flatten them out with a hammer; carefully avoiding folding the sides over.

krusty says: Nov 24, 2006. 5:30 PM

That looks super!! Hey, next time you want to make something like this, why not have an "instructables" party and everyone can bring a 6-pack :) That would make for a rock'n night!!

skeplin (author) in reply to krustyNov 26, 2006. 5:05 PM

Yeah 90 six packs would be quite a party. I'm still (slowly) collecting bottle caps -- I need to find a bigger source.

Boppylop in reply to skeplinApr 30, 2012. 12:25 PM

if you go to the beach there are TONS of caps underneath those restaurants that are on wooden platforms.

BarginsTech in reply to skeplinSep 3, 2010. 12:20 PM

It may be more gross of an idea but rummage through some recycle cans on trash day :]

cupojoe999 in reply to skeplinJul 9, 2010. 10:34 AM

see if you can get in to a collage party, there is easily 500+ bottles of beer if you get in to the right party

thepelton in reply to skeplinJun 19, 2010. 2:12 PM

You could go to a nightclub or a bar, and maybe give them some finished art in exchange for the caps.

John Smith in reply to skeplinFeb 21, 2007. 4:15 PM

Hmmm. 540 Beers. Wow.

dodib says: Jul 12, 2011. 1:11 PM

Cool. I have a beer cap project in mind. I wondered if you flattened the caps out before adhering to plywood? thanks dodib

skeplin (author) in reply to dodibJul 13, 2011. 6:40 PM

Yep, I spent many of tedious hours hammering caps flat. By doing so, it made it easier to glue them to the plywood backing.

Orchid-Black says: Sep 20, 2010. 1:14 AM

I do believe I'll have to do this!

BEAST14 says: Jun 19, 2010. 2:38 PM

I like it!!

BEAST14 says: Jun 19, 2010. 2:37 PM

I believe your hunk metal might just be a.... hunk of metal.

nerdy-bot says: Jun 19, 2010. 3:47 AM

I love it! What a lovely dragon for decorating the walll ... it looks awesome .. since i dont drink beer .. i might try something similar with toffee wrappers ...

zipzapper859 says: Jun 18, 2010. 7:59 PM

what is you next project?

PetBennett says: May 5, 2010. 4:17 PM

has any one said "trogdor" yet?

skeplin (author) in reply to PetBennettMay 6, 2010. 6:58 AM

Burnination!

PetBennett in reply to skeplinMay 7, 2010. 2:32 PM

lolz

pontiac says: Mar 18, 2010. 4:07 PM

its really cool but needs sum arms and legs,

moo of the cow says: Jun 24, 2009. 1:02 AM

this must have taken foreva gr8 ible

skeplin (author) in reply to moo of the cowJul 18, 2009. 9:14 AM

I think it took somewhere around 3-4 months to finish. Much longer to collect the caps though. If you went around to local bars, you could probably collect enough caps in a few days.

Jennine117 says: Jul 18, 2009. 1:44 AM

are those bottle tops flattened at all? I can't tell from the pictures. Absolutely great project!

skeplin (author) in reply to Jennine117Jul 18, 2009. 9:13 AM

Thanks!

Yes, the caps are flattened -- a very tedious process. I did develop a method though: I placed a piece of cardboard on the concrete floor and then turned the cap on it's face. The head of the hammer just barely fit into the cap. Then, I would carefully hit it a couple of times making sure to bend the edge out and not over. Once it was pretty well flattened, I would turn it over and hit it a couple more times. Rinse and repeat.

I imagine that someone could develop a machine to do this. Any takers? ;⁾

Shifrin says: Jan 16, 2008. 5:15 PM

Skeplin, This was a great Instructable, this has really inspired me to do some sort of junk pop art, with old bottle caps, or mettle things i find laying around in the house! Favorited! -Shifrin

skeplin (author) in reply to ShifrinJul 23, 2008. 5:38 PM

Thanks! I once saw a picture of an angler fish that someone made out of cut up soda cans that was absolutely amazing. Unfortunately, I have been unable to locate the link again....

skeplin (author) in reply to skeplinJul 23, 2008. 5:51 PM

I couldn't find the angler fish, but I did find some killer can creations made with Red Bull cans:

http://www.redbullartofcan.com

and this awesome bird of prey:

http://www.kiwipulse.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/redbullartofcan8.jpg

Grey_Wolfe in reply to ShifrinJun 25, 2008. 5:37 PM

There's a incredibly unnoticed source of surplus sheet metal just lying around most peoples homes. And the secret ingredient is... ...sopa pop cans (or beer, or whatevever). lol But seriously, I collect the side panel from rinsed out cans to use in just such projects (not that I've actually started any of them yet. lol). It's easy to get, readily available, and chances are you've already got some. It does take some finesse to get clean straight sheets, but that just takes a good blade and a little practice. I also collect the bottoms, as they are thicker metal and quite sturdy.

Grey_Wolfe in reply to Grey_WolfeJun 25, 2008. 5:38 PM

For heavier duty applications, you can use the metal from canned goods, though that also requires better tools to reqlaim, and its not smooth.

Calltaker says: Jan 31, 2007. 5:27 PM

OK, that definitely qualifies as highly kewl. Great idea getting your friends involved, after all, having all the caps but being in the hospital with alcohol poisoning would suck :) Looks great tho!! ~C