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| The pan that almost got junked was a typical 12" aluminum Teflon frying pan. It occurred to me that it is totally ideal for a birdbath. The right size and weather-proof. The design of the curly art nouveau looking vines was based on the consideration that birds will need them to perch on if they prefer not to be in the water. You will see three holes also along the edge. The pan can also be hung from a tree branch.
The graphics were carved using a rotary burr/file with a Dremel tool. The leftover black Teflon coating is a perfect background to show up the carved graphics. You can find thousands of graphics of all styles on the internet. Just print it out on a piece of paper. Using spray-on adhesive, you can attach the graphics on the pan. Then using the rotary tool and follow the design on the paper, trace and carve away. No great skill is needed to put a fancy design on the pan. How to cut aluminum: 1. It is not that difficult to cut thick aluminum with an electric reciprocating jig saw with a wood cutting blade.
The solar pump: I was pleasantly surprised at how well and powerful that tiny solar pump works. The pump has a high-tech motor. It is similar to the fan motors in a computer. It uses Hall-effect devices so it is a brushless DC design. It is normally rated for 50,000 hours and uses very little electricity. Using carbide bits, I drilled a hole thru a pebble for the fountain. I have not decided on what spray pattern I want yet. The pump is so small so it is very easily hidden by the pebbles. The solar panel comes with a long cord and can be positioned any place where you get the best sun. I bought the solar fountain on eBay. Not very expensive. The solar panel sends plenty of power to run the fountain non-stop. Because the water is being re-circulated, there is no waste of water. More---- You can find a plug-in DC power supply/charger to run this indoors.
Let me know if you need more information. For those of you who make and sell things, this one should do very well for you. dcarch
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Follow-Up Postings:
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| Is that tape on the inside of the pan? |
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| Thank you for sharing both your idea and your method! I'm amazed (and excited) that metal cutting shears were enough to cut this. I knew aluminum was soft...but geez, those frying pans seem so sturdy! I may actually give this a go since it can be done without power tools, although I really should get over my fear of those :) As for the spray pattern - I really like the 2nd last one. Keeps the pebbles evenly moist, shouldn't have too much water loss over the edge, and since it emerges right from the rock it's very visually appealing. (Did you drill that rock too? I'm not afraid of drills lol) Thanks again!! Sheryll |
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- Posted by luna_llena_feliz 5B (My Page) on Sun, Jul 18, 10 at 19:32
| Wow, I didn't realize that you cut the edges of the pan to form the vine-like perches. Very cool. Did you have to file down the edges after cutting them? Did you do it with a Dremel tool? As for the spray, I like the water coming out of the rocks too. Although birds do seem to enjoy showers too. lol I also like how this would look hung from a tree branch, roof's edge or shepherd's hook. Thanks for all the info including the solar pump. I was wondering how well they worked. |
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- Posted by jeannespines 4 Iowa (My Page) on Sun, Jul 18, 10 at 20:29
| Very cool, artistic birdbath, dsarch! TFS the instructions & also the solar pump info...50,000 hrs. is great! Jeanne S. |
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- Posted by grandma_cindy 5 (My Page) on Sun, Jul 18, 10 at 23:54
| Wow that is just so gorgeous! Again, WOW! |
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- Posted by concretenprimroses 4B NH (My Page) on Mon, Jul 19, 10 at 6:00
| what an absolutley terrific re-use of what most of us think of as junk! Thank you for sharing with us. If I can manage to make one, I think I might know what I'll be making for gardeners' Christmas gifts! I don't know if I'll be able to. I'm still trying to figure out how to bend forks, lol. Kathy |
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- Posted by excessfroufrou 7 (My Page) on Mon, Jul 19, 10 at 12:04
| That is spectacular. Unreal that it was once a frying pan. Your projects are usually out of my leauge, but I think I have a frying pan just waiting to be worked on. I do worry about the teflon coating and the birds, I didn't think it was safe for humans, what about birds? Frou |
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| Again, thank you very much for your kind words. Here are answers to your questions: 2. I used a file to smooth out any rough edges. Very easy. 3. I used a masonry carbide drill bit to drill thru a pebble for the fountain. Very easy. 4. Teflon possible can be harmful if it’s overheated in an enclosed room. It should be very safe for this birdbath. dcarch |
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- Posted by toomuchglass 53172 (My Page) on Mon, Jul 19, 10 at 20:03
| Dcarch .......you are such a great friend to all of us . Thank you so much for taking the time to take pics and share your step by step instructions. ((( What a Pal ! ))) I can only hope to do what you do ! Maybe I'll make a "happy mistake" and come up with something new !!!!!!! |
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| WOW that is so amazing. What an artist you are!! None of it looks easy to me. It's just beautiful. TFS? |
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| Thank you. You guys are the greatest. Recycling is the most important concept in this century. dcarch |
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| Your work is, as usual, stunning! We are so blessed to have you come up with these fabulous ideas and share them with us. This is one I feel qualified to try, and I will be looking for one of those pans on my next thrift shop visit. I am awed by your ability to take an ugly piece of trash (which is how I usually look at those old pans) and make it into a beautiful, useful, piece of art. Yet another reminder that there is beauty and use in everything, no matter how humble :-) Patty |
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| Dcarch, I've marveled at some of your CF creations, but this is the pièce de résistance! Curious about the solar pump. Why is there a need for any electricity? |
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- Posted by bozogardener z4 MT (My Page) on Wed, Jul 21, 10 at 14:22
| The electricity is needed to power the pump. |
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| Then what's the solar panel for? |
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| No, you don't need electricity. The solar panel powers it plenty good. I was saying in the winter time if you don't need the birdbath outside, you can find one of those plug-in DC chargers to run the fountain indoors. You may be able to run the pump indoors with the solar panel if you have a sunny window. dcarch |
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- Posted by bozogardener z4 MT (My Page) on Wed, Jul 21, 10 at 16:51
| Oh, sorry natal, I misunderstood your question! I had forgotten that he mentioned the DC converter. |
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| Oh my word! I so want to make one of these! As if I didn't have enough projects on the back burner! Thanks for the beautiful work!! |
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- Posted by luvstocraft z9 Ca. (My Page) on Thu, Jul 22, 10 at 11:07
| Talk about trash to treasure! I could not believe that you could turn an old skillet into something so beautiful! Great job, you are very talented. Luvs |
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| My gosh! Incredible! You have mad skills. OT: have been reading your entries & comments on epoxy and other adhesives. Very interesting. Thanks for the info. |
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| Thank you, thank you and thank you. The point is, this kind of projects require patience, but not much skills. Have fun. dcarch |
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| it is beautiful....lot of hard work for you there....but if a scratched aluminum pan is not good for me....how will it be for birds |
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| Not sure, twomonths, but I believe some of the problem comes from heating and eating the food that is cooked in the old pans. I don't think it would harm the water, or the birds. -Sprout |
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| Aluminum forms aluminum oxide which is very stable and will not react with other chemicals much. Teflon will not change properties unless it heated to above 450 degrees. Both are extremely safe. Theere are billions and billions cookware in use everyday. dcarch |
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- Posted by lynnmariep86 8 DFW (My Page) on Sun, Jul 25, 10 at 14:57
| Now that is impressive. Simply amazing! |
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- Posted by briergardener 7 (My Page) on Fri, Jul 30, 10 at 13:58
| Hm, can't see your pictures. Can you repost please? |
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| To all, My pictures are not visible due to a Photobucket problem. I was told that the pix will be back in a few days. sorry. dcarch |
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| this is most impressive.. i love the step by step photos . at first I'm thinking.. hmmm ok but by the end I'm like I want that, it is so unique.. WOW, so neat, great job!! |
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| I am speechless!! |
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- Posted by a.girl.named.max 4a (My Page) on Sun, Jan 30, 11 at 9:18
| I'm so glad that this post resurfaced. I love this piece! |
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- Posted by threekittens_ia (My Page) on Sun, Jan 30, 11 at 10:25
| Wow. If only I had a fraction of your imagination. |
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| wow! work of art!!! |
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