Earlsart

No. Those are a list of options. I cut the fish out with a 4-1/2" grinder and 1/16" thick cut off wheel while trying to limit waste, then follow up with a nibbler I found online recently that connects to a standard drill. It's low cost, it works, but requires a bit of stabilizing. The nibbler gets me up pretty close to the line with some measure of control. From there, it's a step down of measures to get right up to the line using a bench grinder on down to a dremel to get into the tight spots behind the fins. Small mistakes show up in the end result. I think a plasma cutter would be the fastest and easiest.

Please review Step 6- Cutout

Welded art is both exciting to make and rewarding. Go for it!

$850! You already got me beat. KOI are expensive either way. Go for it!

My intent for making this 'ible' is so that others with the wherewithal can make some bucks. The cost of materials is low, but if one has the time and the proper equipment... Would love to see the end result of your work.

Bang out a fish and see what happens. These school of fish sculptures can bring in some extra retirement income while having fun in the process. Go for it. You can always email me if you have questions.

Thank you for the nice compliment.

Rock on!

Thanks for your vote! The tree has been next to the Marquette post office since 2013. I hope it will still be there in 2525, if man is still alive. :e)

Excellent instructions by Ben Starr. He's already got me trying to think of some way to work it into one of my Living Tree Art trees, but not as a ball shape. This may require some kind of welded fixture. If I can figure something out for this winter, you can be I'll make it into an instructable to share.

A jellyfish tree! Now, that's something different.

Thanks!

I'm a big movie watcher. Will have to look that one up.

Very cool! Maybe that is something I could employ as a wintertime display idea on one of my Living Tree Art trees. Not sure what the fixture would have to look like to attach to the pin posts on the ends of each branch, but I'm sure I could figure out a way to make it work. Did you do an instructable on this?

Pretty awesome for a first attempt at 3-D metal sculpture. I used to use a ball peen hammer to make fish sculptures until a fellow artist suggested an air hammer like the body shops use. Way faster! Thanks for the follow.

I've heard that comparison before. As a matter of fact, my sister once commented that the extensions looked like testicles. She meant tenticles. :e)

Thank you. Glad you like it! I think there is potential for many variations.

Thanks, Penolopy! Although they might look fancy, material cost is negligible. A piece like Glamour Girl costs less than $.50 to make.