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This is intended to be a guide for people to make their own garden sculptures, I choose leaf cutter ants because I like the idea of having a line of leaf cutter ants marching through my garden, and sadly it's the wrong climate to have the real things. They will be joining the various other giant insects that currently prowl the garden.
These ants are about 25cm long, and 20cm wide, constructed entirely out of scrap or salvaged steel. I started off with a single prototype and then did batch building, inconsistencies in the number of ants in each photo are because of this.
The method of painting should ensure they remain rust free for at least 5 years, probably a lot longer, even in a cold humid climate.
I am not a biologist, these ants are not anatomically correct, probably the wrong shade of red, and carrying the wrong kind of leaf.
Asides from correcting my abysmal entomology knowledge, I would love to read any comments you may have.
These ants are about 25cm long, and 20cm wide, constructed entirely out of scrap or salvaged steel. I started off with a single prototype and then did batch building, inconsistencies in the number of ants in each photo are because of this.
The method of painting should ensure they remain rust free for at least 5 years, probably a lot longer, even in a cold humid climate.
I am not a biologist, these ants are not anatomically correct, probably the wrong shade of red, and carrying the wrong kind of leaf.
Asides from correcting my abysmal entomology knowledge, I would love to read any comments you may have.
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Signing UpStep 1Tools and Materials
Tools
You may be able to get away with using less tools than I used, so I shall list them in order of usefulness.
Spot welder
Metal shears
Hammer and anvil
Metal working vice
MIG welder
Metal punch (aka nibbler)
Bolt croppers
Angle grinder
Clamps, lots of clamps
Materials
Improvise, or at a last resort, buy.
Sheet steel - cd drive cases for the Ants (2mm thickness), back cover a gas heater for the leaves (1mm thickness)
Steel rod - 2mm diameter, allow about 30cm for each pair of legs, this is hard to come by in terms of scrap, my stock is salvages from a friend of a friend's workshop that was closing down.
Priming paint - Zinc based preferably, it's proven rust proof for me.
Finishing paints - Whatever colours you desire, "Hammerite" is a good choice for outdoor purposes.
You may be able to get away with using less tools than I used, so I shall list them in order of usefulness.
Spot welder
Metal shears
Hammer and anvil
Metal working vice
MIG welder
Metal punch (aka nibbler)
Bolt croppers
Angle grinder
Clamps, lots of clamps
Materials
Improvise, or at a last resort, buy.
Sheet steel - cd drive cases for the Ants (2mm thickness), back cover a gas heater for the leaves (1mm thickness)
Steel rod - 2mm diameter, allow about 30cm for each pair of legs, this is hard to come by in terms of scrap, my stock is salvages from a friend of a friend's workshop that was closing down.
Priming paint - Zinc based preferably, it's proven rust proof for me.
Finishing paints - Whatever colours you desire, "Hammerite" is a good choice for outdoor purposes.
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P.S. If you dont get it, ask me lol