building material advice.. what to use...

[robphelan]

i want to build something like this but on a smaller scale - let's say I want mine 4' tall.

any suggestions on what kinds of material I could use? they used rebar, but I don't want/need anything that heavy duty.

more pics1
more pics2

I was thinking about some sort of thin gauge wire. I could wrap it around something tubular to get it's initial shape and encircle it with more wire and maybe solder it in place.. dunno.

ideas?

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

your best bet would be #3 rebar (3/8") and weld it. Not much strength in anything less than that.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

you could just tie-wire it, but it won't look very nice

 

[Chunkee]

thats in DC right? Native American Museum? Lots of cools stuff round there.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

For smooth bends, you'd probably want to get a conduit bender as well. You could use thinner copper pipe and solder it, but you wouldn't want to look at the price tag for it.

 

[Jugernot]

You could use wire conduit, the grey plastic type. it's very flexible and weathers well.

 

[robphelan]

Originally posted by: Chunkee
thats in DC right? Native American Museum? Lots of cools stuff round there.

i think it's the Getty in LA...

that wire conduit sounds like a good choice to start with.

i don't want to invest TOO much in materials, because I bet you find find something similar to what i want for 100 or so.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

Originally posted by: Jugernot
You could use wire conduit, the grey plastic type. it's very flexible and weathers well.

it won't be much if any cheaper than rebar.

 

[jjones]

I'd probably go with aluminum but the cost might be prohibitive - depends on your budget.

 

[Scarpozzi]

You can build anything with JBWeld, Duct Tape, and old coat hangers.

 

[bctbct]

Only thing that comes to mind would be 9 ga. hanger wire for accoustical ceilings. Its galv. some what flexible and would fan out like you want. Tack welding the intersections would look better than tie wire.

Its refered to as pencil wire and avail. at commercial drywall/ceiling suppliers.

 

[funkymatt]

4' high makes those death jags on the edge stomach/chest level- or eye lever for kids. have you thought this out?

 

[pray4mojo]

Originally posted by: Scarpozzi
You can build anything with JBWeld, Duct Tape, and old coat hangers.

man speaks the truth