Water feature

[badersbus]

A mate of mine has recently revitalised his pond and needed a water feature. With a nod in Chunky's direction for inspiration i decided to make a leaping Salmon / Trout to go at the side of his pond.
It will be bolted through a stone plinth at the side of the pond , and fed by the usual pump and pipe set up. Dont know how to finish it in colour , thought about Ammonium Chloride and then sealed , but will this kill any fish , wild life etc ?? . Any ideas out there
Started with a couple of curves in some 6 mm round bar , then made the ribs with 20 x 3 mm flat bar. Head , fins etc are 20g sheet steel and the water pipe is 10mm microbore copper pipe out of a skip.

 

[Rooster#1]

Work of art mate !

How did you cut the "gills" ?

 

[chunkolini]

Nice one, the head is lovely. a very grumpy looking salmon.

Re finishing, I cant see any problem using ammonium Chloride to accelarate the rusting process, scrub it on wel with a scotchbrite pad, and leave it for a few days, and mist it lightly with water every now and again, until you have an even thin coat of rust. This will also wash off the chloride'
Then go over it very lightly with fine sand paper to remove any loose rust and give it a few coats of yacht varnish, to give a nice aged patina, should look lovely.
I guess the gills were cut with a nibbler

Photos please.

Chunko'

 

[peterd51]

Hi,

beautifilly done. Looking at the bricks I'd say that's around 25" high?

He has quite a nasty 'sneer' on his face, evil eye, but then I'd say if he'd been caught while jumping out of the water he has a right to be miffed! :-)

Regards
Peter

 

[badersbus]

Work of art mate !

How did you cut the "gills" ?

Thanks for the comments chaps. The gills were cut with a monodex hand cutter just like this one

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MONODEX-SHEET...temQQimsxq20090929?IMSfp=TL090929134001r38700
In fact if that one stays at that price it is a very useful tool to have in the box. Start with two 3mm holes , slip the bottom jaw in and use it like a pair of sheet shears. It produces a nice roll of metal , like an Arctic chocolate roll LOL.
Chunko .. Where are you buying Ammonium Chloride these days , Chemist Maybe ??
Thanks
Kirk

 

[Arsonista]

That fish looks really pi$$ed off. Nice work, looking forward to the pics of it installed.

 

[Jake]

dont let it rust. after your hard work man

 

[badersbus]

After lots of destractions onto other things , Fish is now finished to a point where it is ready for installation. Pond is frozen over though at min LOL
Finished it as Chunko suggested , Ammonium Sal , then two coats of yacht varnish , interesting finish and patina , may not be to everyones taste , looking forward to experimenting with different applications , and materials with Ammonium Sal
Kirk

 

[Wozzaaah]

Great stuff Kirk, that looks fabulous!

 

[runnach]

Nice work Kirk, I worked with a guy who did similar, not a fish, a dragon with the copper to take gas from a plumbers type bottle for soldering, obviously real flames for effect. This was done safely!

Keep up the good creative work!!

Cheers.......

 

[Sturge]

Really cool! Gives me inspiration that's why I love the projects section

 

[Sam]

Nice work Kirk, I worked with a guy who did similar, not a fish, a dragon with the copper to take gas from a plumbers type bottle for soldering, obviously real flames for effect. This was done safely!

Keep up the good creative work!!

Cheers.......

'Hamish Gilchrist' that was installed at a house opposite where I used to live, was wondering what the hell was going on when it was installed he had thrown a party and was showing it off all I could see was these flames from my window every now and again.

 

[1192simon]

Beautiful bit of work mate.. Would you mind putting up the fully finished and installed photos up ? Would really like to see them. Thanks

Si

 

[badersbus]

Beautiful bit of work mate.. Would you mind putting up the fully finished and installed photos up ? Would really like to see them. Thanks

Si

Now that the weather seems to be turning the corner , and summer may be on its way. My mate has installed the fish.
He wants a bit more squirt out of it ,so he is getting a bigger pump but i think it is fine. To much water noise makes me want to pee , but that might be my age

 

[chunkolini]

Nice one, I may even take inspiration from this myself.

Also it is good to see updates and a conclusion on the projects thing.

Chunko'.

 

[Alfaman]

Very, very nice!

Good work chap. Nice to see that creativity is still valued, and we're not all content to go just to B&Q and buy some horrible, uninspiring, DIY valley of the dead creation imported from the Far East

 

[Nivag]

Very well done. Proportions are spot on.
Nivag.

 

[jugs]

Excellent work badersbus,
trouble is mrs jugs has seen it & wants one (so I've shown her where the mig is )

Pee S.

You say
"To much water noise makes me want to pee , but that might be my age "


perhaps you should change your name from badersbus to bladder bust

 

[badersbus]

Bladder Bust Lol , nice one.
Thanks for the kind comments everyone , it turned out pretty well , to say it cost next to nothing to make
I have another one in the process at the min for a lad at work , but slightly smaller
Thanks again

 

[mike os]

very nice mr peepee dude