2nd plasma cutter project-40" Male Hogfish

[hogsniper]

This is my second pattern. It was derived from my 34" fiberglass mount, just made larger in aluminum. It is cut from 1/8" aluminum sheet with a Hobart Airforce 625. It will have additional cuts in the body to both represent the lines of the hogfish and some artistic flair. These are the favorite target of spearfishermen here in Florida so I want to keep it pretty accurate. I may decide to epoxy the side fin on instead of cutting it from the body and bending it out like I did on the Black Grouper. What product do you guys recommend for aluminum to aluminum bonding?

[Broccoli1]

Both Fish look good:p

[Wylde Blaze]

Hey, Hogsniper! Great work! Is that your first plama cutting ever? If it helps, here's my hog snapper. This was my first one. My second one I actually cut out the fin in the shape of the paint instead of just painting the shape. I'm also in Florida and it's a big favorite.

[hogsniper]

http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb318/hogsniper/P8050073-1.jpg
Hey, Hogsniper! Great work! Is that your first plama cutting ever? If it helps, here's my hog snapper. This was my first one. My second one I actually cut out the fin in the shape of the paint instead of just painting the shape. I'm also in Florida and it's a big favorite.

Yes, I just got a plasma cutter this month, a Hobart 625. I did a tiny bit of metalworking in middle school shop class, but that's about it. I practiced plasma cutting for about 5 minutes on a piece of scrap before starting to cut the grouper pattern. The plasma cutter is so easy to use, the hardest part is not being able to see the line and trying to keep the torch off the material. I also haven't welded since 6th grade so I'm trying to keep my projects simple for now. I have a friend that is an amazing aluminum welder due to building race cars so he can assist in more complicated projects. BTW blaze, I love your razor blade looking fish design on your site.


Actually, most guys start spearfishing just to target hogfish. For the record, they are not snappers at all, they of the wrasse family. Commonly referred to as hog snapper, they are actually named hogfish. Hence my username which is the same one used on the spearfishing websites because it is my favorite fish to hunt and grill. the picture above is of a 17 lb hog I shot in 130' of water in the Gulf of Mexico a couple of years ago.

This pattern was actually taken from my 17 lb hogfish fiberglass mount which is 34" long. I took the digital photo, loaded it to my laptop and used a laptop projector and pencil to transfer the actual shape to the sheetmetal. I backed the projector up until it cast a 40" image. I layed in the floor with a pencil and traced out the whole fish and all it's features. Now that the black grouper is done, I will work on the hogfish. There is a distinct color change along the body where it changes from orange to brown. I think I may use a grinder to cut a distinct line where the color change would be instead of using color. Then apply a different grinding finish to that area so it has a clear but subtle unique look. The teeth and fins will be a challenge due to thin characteristics. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I wanted to use a tiny wire wheel on my dremel to cut the lateral line, but I read that if it is not all stainless steel wheel it would imbed tiny particles into the aluminum piece and rust. Any idea where to get stainless steel dremel wire wheels or another technique I can use?

[Wylde Blaze]

That fish is amazing! Great catch! Well, I got the image of my hog snapper/fish off of the back of a Suburban that was driving in front of me! I took a picture of it and resized it for my pattern. Yours is gorgeous!

Regarding aluminum, I haven't gone that route. I have used mild steel and stainless steel. I've switched to stainless as it's so much easier to use, as I put a finish on every piece I make. Thanks for the compliment on the knife fish. Another decal on the back of a car. HA! The guys on this site recommended flap discs to the finish, which was the perfect solution for me. It's so incredibly easy and the finishes are awsome. I use 120 grit for fine finishes and 60 for deeper finishes or to clean up my pieces.

Your cuts are great! I can't believe you've just started. My cuts are no where near as good. I'm just really good at cleaning them up! I have to get better, but that's the fun of practicing! I only bought my plasma cutter in October, so I'm new, too. I am self taught and learning every day. This is a great site for advise and information. Good luck!

[MichaelP]

Wow! What a beautiful catch!

[hogsniper]

That fish is amazing! Great catch! Well, I got the image of my hog snapper/fish off of the back of a Suburban that was driving in front of me! I took a picture of it and resized it for my pattern. Yours is gorgeous!

Regarding aluminum, I haven't gone that route. I have used mild steel and stainless steel. I've switched to stainless as it's so much easier to use, as I put a finish on every piece I make. Thanks for the compliment on the knife fish. Another decal on the back of a car. HA! The guys on this site recommended flap discs to the finish, which was the perfect solution for me. It's so incredibly easy and the finishes are awsome. I use 120 grit for fine finishes and 60 for deeper finishes or to clean up my pieces.

Your cuts are great! I can't believe you've just started. My cuts are no where near as good. I'm just really good at cleaning them up! I have to get better, but that's the fun of practicing! I only bought my plasma cutter in October, so I'm new, too. I am self taught and learning every day. This is a great site for advise and information. Good luck!

It looks like your hogfish inspiration came from some great guys in East Florida that designed that logo for an apparel brand called Headhunter. The website is www.hogfishworld.com, they have some cool clothes with the logo. They are friends with some of my dive club brothers. You might contact them and work out a trade for some apparel.

I use a 60 grit flap wheel at 20,000 rpm to get the initial layer of metal off and get ready for 3" die grinder sanding. The aluminum tends to clog up the flap wheel very quickly though, and they cost $12 each, so I use them sparingly. I also have played with 2" and 3" scotchbrite pads on my die grinder for a smoother finish and deburring. The smoother finish does not have the brilliant shine though, you have to get the aluminum pretty roughed up to get that terrific glare. I also experimented with using a full aluminum polishing regimen with 3 different compounds and buffing wheels, but I think it would work better on stainless. The aluminum scratches way too easy once it is polished.

[Wylde Blaze]

Wow, that's amazing that you knew where that decal came from! It didn't have any words on it, just the fish, so I had no idea. Cool.
That sounds like a lot of work on the aluminum. I was spending hours flap discing mild steel and it still didn't look as nice. Got a great deal on a ton of stainless and switched over. It's so much easier and lighter. Time is of the essence, so I'm happy with the stainless. It's just so much more expensive. That's the only downfall. Yours looks great, though!

[Wylde Blaze]

By the way, I've e-mailed Head Hunters to see if they'll let me continue to make my fish. I had no idea it was anyones logo! My niece works at Boaters World and said that they sell a bunch of different fish decals. My fish actually isn't exactly their logo, but it's very close. We'll see what they say. I offered to send them one! Thanks for the info!

[smyrna5]

It would be pretty difficult to make a stylized horse, cow, fish, parrot, etc that didn't look like someone else's somewhere, somehow.

[Wylde Blaze]

True. Actually, Brad at Head Hunters was great! He was thrilled that I had chosen his fish to duplicate and asked if I would make them one for their office. He told me to not only post the pic of my hog fish on their site, but to add my info to it, as well. Very nice guy. He said I could continue to make it, but I could easily have modified it so it wouldn't have been exact anyways. Great guy. Thanks!

[hogsniper]

True. Actually, Brad at Head Hunters was great! He was thrilled that I had chosen his fish to duplicate and asked if I would make them one for their office. He told me to not only post the pic of my hog fish on their site, but to add my info to it, as well. Very nice guy. He said I could continue to make it, but I could easily have modified it so it wouldn't have been exact anyways. Great guy. Thanks!

I am thinking of using epoxy to attach the side fin on the hogfish instead of cutting it from the main body and bending it out. I have a 2 part epoxy that is made for metal to metal bonds. I plan on cutting the fin from a piece of scrap, beveling the end on a sander, and grinding the contact point on the main piece. I think this is an easier approach to welding for right now.

Anyone have experience at this?

[hogsniper]

Just finished the pattern for the 40" Hogfish.

[Wylde Blaze]

Hey, Hogsniper!
Sorry for the delay, I've been crazy busy! I'm glad to see you finished your hogfish! He looks great! I've updated mine by using candy colors for the paint instead of the matte red. Check it out!