Steel Rose Workshop - Valentine's Day

The Steel Rose Workshop was hosted by students at the University of Minnesota for Valentine's Day 2017. The event required no metalworking experience and attracted many people who might not typically complete DIY projects.

Many thanks to colleagues at the Georgia Tech Invention Studio for sharing their steel rose template and describing how the workshop is run on their campus.

Supplies (per participant):

• Rose petals: 6"x6" steel sheet, 0.03" thick (22gauge)
  
  • See template files below for shape of petals and leaves.
  • We cut these out with a water jet cutter. As a low-cost alternative, a few participants traced the shapes with a Sharpie marker and cut them out with snips.
• Rose stem: 1/4" diameter steel rod, 1' long.
  • We cut these to size with with a band saw.
• Epoxy, Quick Setting
  • Use an epoxy that sets in 10-15 minutes.
  • Clamps and vices are very helpful when adhering components.
• Stick and paper plate (for mixing and applying epoxy)
• 2 Pairs of Pliers
• Hand File
• Snips, also known as shears
• Mallet
• Steel Wool
• Safety Glasses
• First Aid Kit

Time Required:

• 1-2 hours

Purchases:

Approximately $110 for 60 roses

• Steel, 0.03" thick (22ga), 2'6"x2'6" sheet, shear cut. Quantity 3. $22 each. Purchased at Discount Steel.
• Steel, 1/4" diameter rod, 12' cut in half. Quantity 5. $2.50 each. Purchased at Discount Steel.
• Epoxy. Quantity 2. $16 each. Purchased at Menards.

Step 1: Workshop Preparation

Prepare petals and stem for each participant prior to the workshop. Create at least one rose in advance to use as an example.

Our petals were prepared using a water jet cutter. Three sheets of steel were stacked and cut simultaneously.

Step 2: Clean Metal With Steel Wool

Step 3: Remove Petals From Sheet

Step 4: Cut Tabs Off Petals

Step 5: Smooth Edges With File

Step 6: Fold Petals Into Rose

Participants can shape their roses however they wish.

Step 7: Connect Petals With Epoxy

Step 8: Bend Stem

Bend the stem by hand or with the help of a mallet.

Step 9: Bend and Connect Remaining Pieces

Patience and creative clamping may be required while epoxy is setting.

Comments

[ericsnis]

This was a fun event.
I threaded the end of the rod with a #6-32 die at the attachment point for the petals. I also drilled a 9/64" hole in the center of the petal pieces for the threaded end to fit into. A acorn nut holds the whole assembly together. This avoids waiting for the epoxy to cure and will probably be a more reliable joint long term.

[rheagill]

I work for a welding company and we'd like to feature this as an article - can you please let me know if this is something you'd be interested in?
Thanks and look forward to speaking with you

[sheetmetalguy]

can you post a link for the template?

[josh_halverson]

Will do! Hosting the workshop tonight, and will add more info this weekend.

[Swansong]

This is really pretty :)