Madonna Stainless Steel Kinetic Sculpture

10-foot section of 1-1/4" x 3/16" thick stainless steel* flat bar
grinder and buffers
cotton buffs
sandpaper for the grinder wheel: 50-, 100- 150- 220- 320- and 400-grit
vices
fulcrums
eye protection
respirator
belt sander
micrometer
hacksaw
emery and white buffing compounds
drill press
drill bits
tig welder
car wax
* Cut the stainless steel flat bar with either a band saw, plasma cutter, laser or water jet.

2. Belt sand the edges with 50-grit sandpaper until it's nice and smooth (figure B). Cut the tips off with a micrometer until it measures 3/16 inch.

3. Using the grinder, sand the metal, all sides along the grain with 50-grit sandpaper. Sand until the grain of the metal is clearly visible. Change to 100-grit sandpaper and sand across the grain. Use 150-grit sandpaper and sand with the grain. Continue changing the sandpaper and the direction of sanding until you get to 400-grit.

5. Drill a hole in the end of the metal about 1/8 inch deep (figure C).

6. Bend the metal into desired forms. While bending, buff in the tight places for ease in positioning the metal (figure D).

7. Continue buffing after bending. Buffing is a lengthy process that requires time and effort for satisfactory results.

8. Balance the center piece on a pointed end of an object (figure E). Note: This is all done by trial and error.

9. Tig weld the part of metal that will fit into the granite base (figure F). Then buff out the weld because the metal will change colors. Drill holes in the granite base (figure G).

10. Place the bearing into the drilled hole after bolting the sculpture down on the granite (figure H). Make sure that the sculpture is balanced.

11. Wax the sculpture with Mothers Car Wax.

E-mail: kineticsteel@aol.com

Website: www.kineticsteel.com