[slather]

I was wondering if I could get some suggestions on what to make an olive branch for my dove progect out of. I am thinking that I could make it out of thin copper or tin sheet stock and heavy copper wire (soldering the two together). But if I do what kind of a finish can be applyed that will stay stuck and not fall of over time and be specals on the base in a little while. As always I really apprecaite the help. Al

[mark yundt]

I have used the methods you described with success. I soldered the heavy wire ( house wiring) into clumps to form stems and branches and covered them with "bondo" . I have made leaves from sheet brass and soldered them to the branches.Many of the displays at the Worlds are done this way. The sheet brass ,which can be very thin works great as a leaf. Veins and creases can fairly easily be pressed into them and makes them very real looking.Compound curves can be tricky,,but gentle tapping can stretch the metal enough to allow it to curve in many radiuses. If it gets work hardened a bit of heating will make it soft and pliable once again. One thing to watch for is ANY residue from flux WILL cause you headaches.Be sure to remove any trace of it or paints have no hope of sticking.
All the soldered joints can be easily blended with a file,or a dremel type rotary tool and a bit of sanding.
I used automotive type primer after giving them a good sanding to create enough "tooth" for the paints to stick.Once primed, go ahead and use whatever paints you like. Hope this helps

[slather]

Thanks Mark, That Was Excellant Advice , Helps Me A Lot ,. Al

[AlArchie]

Al, that's all good advice from Mark...pretty much what I do for aquatic plants for fish carvings. If that copper wire proves too flexible you can pick up brass tubing and rods that work real well and are a little more substantial than the copper wire. You can find these at most hobby shps and some craft stores. If you don't have a hobby shop around that handles small diameter brass rod, check with a welding supply, local welder, machine shop or mechanic for brazing rod.

Oh, ya, some of that brazing rod comes coated with a white flux. All you have to do is tap that crud with a hammer and it crumbles off. Then just buff the rod with steel wool or sandpaper to fully clean it.

And to join the rod to the leaves, grind a very low angle on the rod, bend it to fit before soldering and simply solder it onto the leaf

Al