No Facilities

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Welding

Things Made of Metal—CFFC

Dan Antion
2 minutes
,

Note: The 5th Annual Thursday Doors Writing Challenge has ended with 74 creative entries, and they are all delightful.

We’re continuing our series that, for lack of a better term, is called: “Things made of stuff.” If you want to see where we’re heading, you can check out the home page for this challenge.

This week, we’re looking for Things Made of Metal.

My featured photo was taken as our daughter was welding back together a metal basket we had cut so it would fit into a bucket we wanted to use as a flower pot.

Good luck finding your photos, as you travel or in your archives. That’s how this works. Have a nice week.

Our public works department runs a recycling operation. They accept scrap metal in bulk.
This metal cutting chop saw cuts at dedicated 90° and 45° angles. The line on the tape helps me make sure the cuts are in the same plane.
A cast aluminum alligator nut cracker I made in 8th grade metal shop
The idea behind my moving the metal working bench near the door was so sparks like these go outside.
Sunflower
These metal flowers adorn each of the corners of the building.
This is a self-etching primer that “bites” into the metal and forms a nice base for the top coat.
My old coffee table. Retired and now living in Florida.
“What? If I’m going to lay on this, I have to check it out.”

“That’s not for you, MiMi”
Looks a little like those experiments in elementary school. Iron filings, as a result of abrasive cutting of the steel for the legs.
Laying out the base after bending and welding. I need to position the legs on this weathered slab.
Looks like I had the snow blower aimed a little low.
Spided web on the fence
The bunny seemed to be checking out the new fence
Flag at Great River Park
Flag at Great River Park

86 responses to “Things Made of Metal—CFFC”

  1. Ally Bean Avatar
    Ally Bean

    I like those metal flowers. Wouldn’t mind a few to perk up the look of this house!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      I think these were done by the artists in residence. That warehouse was turned into a series of workshops.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  2. Rivergirl Avatar
    Rivergirl

    Whew.
    I thought I was going to be bunnyless for a moment there..
    😉

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Not if I can help it.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  3. Dave Astor Avatar
    Dave Astor

    Dan, a great variety of photos, including the ones with metal. (All that’s missing are some concert shots of heavy-metal bands. :-) ) Love the alligator you made as a middle-schooler!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      I wish I had that band photo, Dave. I did see Led Zepplin in the 70s, but no camera.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Dave Astor Avatar
        Dave Astor

        Seeing Led Zeppelin in the ’70s — wow! That must have been an experience. Sorry you didn’t get a photo. (Some of the bands I saw in the ’70s included Yes, The Moody Blues, and Renaissance.)

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        1. Dan Antion Avatar
          Dan Antion

          I did see Yes, but I missed The Moody Blues, which I would have enjoyed.

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
          1. Dave Astor Avatar
            Dave Astor

            Yes was so virtuosic! But our seats were so far away it was hard to see much. :-)

            Liked by 1 person

            Reply
  4. Murphy’s Law Avatar
    Murphy’s Law

    That’s quite an impressive nut cracker you made Dan! I like those metal flowers decorating that house.

    Sorry, the theme is metal, but MiMi and the spider web take the prize!

    Hooray for the metal pole that holds Old Glory up year round so she can strut her stuff!

    Ginger🦋

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    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      MiMi always takes the prize, Ginger. She made sure of that. New flag poles should be up soon at the memorial. For now, I’m using reruns.

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  5. bushboy Avatar
    bushboy

    Great gallery Dan 😀 A good theme. I like the gratuitous bunny photo too 😂 The cat face on the iron filings is cool too

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    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Thanks Brian – River needs her bunny.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  6. Judy@NewEnglandGardenAndThread Avatar
    Judy@NewEnglandGardenAndThread

    Good to see the shop and projects. Go Faith!

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    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      That was a fun project, Judy.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  7. Oddment Avatar
    Oddment

    After seeing all these sparks, both metal and mental, I need more coffee! What a lot of work! The words “Eighth-grade metal shop” conjure up more than aluminum alligators! That must have been a lively place!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Working with metal is interesting. I remember that shop class fondly. I continued taking wood shop and metal shop through high school as electives. I wish more schools still offered them.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Oddment Avatar
        Oddment

        I’m with you on that: more such classes!

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
  8. GP Avatar
    GP

    Your alligator accomplishment was great for 8th grade – it looks professional to me!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      I made a couple sand-cast projects, but that was the most difficult. I made it at the end of the semester so I’d have it for Father’s Day. My dad loved it. I never knew what became of it after he died. After my mom died (almost 40 years later) I found it when we were cleaning out her apartment.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  9. It’s time (get the metal on) – bushboys world Avatar
    It’s time (get the metal on) – bushboys world

    […] CFFC: Things Made of Metal […]

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  10. circadianreflections Avatar
    circadianreflections

    The alligator and your table are so good. Great selections for the challenge.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Thanks Deborah. They were all fun to make.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  11. Suzette Benjamin Avatar
    Suzette Benjamin

    Superbly-themed photos, Dan. I love the drama and blue light captured in the featured photo of Faith welding the bracket.

    MiMi and the bunny are so cute! Remarkable work on your 8th-grade project. That alligator nutcracker looks very well crafted…Wow.

    Excellent capture of the sparks on the workbench, and the spider web. Love the metal flowers, are they whirligigs?

    Some brilliant ideas, Dan. Thank you.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Thanks Suzette! The nutcracker was a fun project to make. Welding, grinding and cutting are always exciting. I prefer working with wood, but there s something exciting about working with metal.

      The flowers are stationary. That’s an old railroad warehouse that was turned into space for artists.

      MiMi was always curious. She had to inspect everything new.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Suzette Benjamin Avatar
        Suzette Benjamin

        You are very talented and creative Dan. Thank you for sharing your work and for the additional information. Cheers..

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
  12. marianallen Avatar
    marianallen

    I’m more into wood than metal, so I much appreciated the shots of that gorgeous piece of wood. Also, of course, MiMi! But I’ll gladly follow you through any project you care to share. People making things is one of my jams.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      I prefer wood to metal, too (that’s next week). Sometimes, metal work is necessary, I’m not good enough to do artwork, but I can generally get the results I need when I need them.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  13. lois Avatar
    lois

    You made that in 8th grade!? Pretty darn impressive, Dan. Catholic school didn’t have shop. I think we missed out on a lot of cool stuff. MiMi–of course that table was hers! What were you thinking? 😆

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      I wouldn’t have made it through school without shop classes, Lois. MiMi always had to investigate.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  14. Author Jan Sikes Avatar
    Author Jan Sikes

    Great collection of metal things, Dan! Love that alligator. :)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Thanks Jan. That’s the only thing I have from shop class. My brother has one other item. It’s a nice memory.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  15. Tails Around the Ranch Avatar
    Tails Around the Ranch

    Love your school shop project. That nutcracker is amazing!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      That was a fun project. I made it for my dad.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  16. Things Made of Metal—CFFC

    […] week for the Fun Foto Challenge, Dan wants things made using metal. Understandably that means some railway images from me 🤣 […]

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  17. 2e0mca Avatar
    2e0mca

    A fascinating selection Dan – seems you have quite a workshop! Love the coffee table 😎👍And, curiosity got the better of MiMi 😅

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Thanks. My shop is better suited to working with wood, but sometimes, metal is required.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  18. For Dan’s CFFC: Things Made of Metal… – Suzette B's Blog Avatar
    For Dan’s CFFC: Things Made of Metal… – Suzette B's Blog

    […] Dan’s Cee’s Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge #CFFC), Things Made of […]

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  19. A Metall by any Other Name Would not be Copper – pictures imperfect blog Avatar
    A Metall by any Other Name Would not be Copper – pictures imperfect blog

    […] Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Things Made of Metal […]

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  20. eklastic Avatar
    eklastic

    Great variety as always, Dan. I adore the crocodile you might yourself. Very talented 8th grader (or any grader, for that matter).

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      It was sand-casted. You make the mold then pour in molten aluminum. 90% of the work is getting the sand fine enough.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. eklastic Avatar
        eklastic

        Well done! Thanks for sharing.

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
  21. Liz Gauffreau Avatar
    Liz Gauffreau

    My favorite is the alligator nutcracker!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      I enjoyed that project, Liz.

      Like

      Reply
  22. CFFC – Things Made of Metal | Mama Cormier Avatar
    CFFC – Things Made of Metal | Mama Cormier

    […] …Thanks to Dan from No Facilities for hosting CFFC https://nofacilities.com/2025/06/02/things-made-of-metal-cffc/ […]

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  23. sandyjwhite Avatar
    sandyjwhite

    Metal, metal, everywhere. Great gallery!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Thanks

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  24. CFFC – metal | teleportingweena Avatar
    CFFC – metal | teleportingweena

    […] Things Made of Metal—CFFC […]

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  25. Metal Beach Art – Ruth Blogs Here Avatar
    Metal Beach Art – Ruth Blogs Here

    […] beach art from Stonehaven on the North East coast of Scotland for this week’s Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Things Made of Metal […]

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  26. sustainabilitea Avatar
    sustainabilitea

    What a nicely eclectic gallery, Dan.

    Like

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    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Thanks Janet.

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  27. Teagan Riordain Geneviene Avatar
    Teagan Riordain Geneviene

    Cool gallery, Dan. Metal can make really interesting and attractive art. When I saw the title, the first thing I thought of was that alligator. :) Hugs.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Thanks, Teagan. I remember that being featured in one of your serials.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  28. John W. Howell Avatar
    John W. Howell

    Great photos, Dan. That nut cracker is special.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Thanks John. That was a Father’s Day gift I made for my dad. I’m very happy to have it back.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. John W. Howell Avatar
        John W. Howell

        Very special.

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
  29. Gwen M. Plano Avatar
    Gwen M. Plano

    Wow, quite a nutcracker, Dan. You amaze me! BTW, my dad was a farmer and a welder. He made and repaired equipment. Seeing the photos brought back memories, all sweet.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      I’m glad you can relate to that kind of welding, Gwen. I weld things that need to be welded, but I don’t have much in the way of artistic skill with metal.

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  30. memadtwo Avatar
    memadtwo

    The alligator seems to be a favorite! I like the coffee table (with cat) too. And the spiderweb. Great photos as usual. (K)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Both coffee tables have moved on to other homes. In both cases, a coworker fell in love with them. I gave one to my boss when he retired and one to a coworker when I retired. MiMi would have destroyed the one with the worm holes 😊

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  31. 2025 CFFC: Things Made of Metal – Gfpacificbee’s Insights & photography

    […] Cee’s Fun Foto […]

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  32. Sculptures of metal – Geriatri'x' Fotogallery

    […] CFFC Fun Foto Challenge: things made of metal […]

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  33. philosophy through photography Avatar
    philosophy through photography

    Beautiful collecton for this theme!

    spider web wit metal, my favourite .

    philo

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  34. CFFC: Made of Metal – This is Another Story Avatar
    CFFC: Made of Metal – This is Another Story

    […] CFFC […]

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  35. norfolk heron – IN PRIMO PIANO – a photo blog Avatar
    norfolk heron – IN PRIMO PIANO – a photo blog

    […] Linked to CFFC […]

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  36. marina Avatar
    marina

    So many interesting objects!!! I love, love, love the alligator nutcracker! The iron filings are so cool. And Mimi… adorable, looks like my Nutella!

    Mine is here

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  37. Metal Widely Used | Out of My Write Mind

    […] CFFC:  Things Made Of Metal […]

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  38. Dawn M. Miller Avatar
    Dawn M. Miller

    Good collection here, Dan. I love your spider web capture. They are not always that easy to get.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      I try every time, Dawn. Sometimes I get lucky.

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      1. Dawn M. Miller Avatar
        Dawn M. Miller

        I know EXACTLY what you mean!

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
  39. Cee’s-FFChallenge-Made-of-Fabric – WoollyMuses Avatar
    Cee’s-FFChallenge-Made-of-Fabric – WoollyMuses

    […] Cee’s Fun Photo Challenge:…Made-of-Fabric […]

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  40. Metal Gate Open to a Spring Day | The Day After Avatar
    Metal Gate Open to a Spring Day | The Day After

    […] Fun Foto Challenge: Things Made of Metal […]

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  41. Cee’s-FFChallenge-Made-of-Metal – WoollyMuses Avatar
    Cee’s-FFChallenge-Made-of-Metal – WoollyMuses

    […] Cee’s Fun Photo Challenge:…Made-of-Metal […]

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  42. robertawrites235681907 Avatar
    robertawrites235681907

    A great set of pictures, Dan. Do you use a camera or your phone?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Thanks Robbie. I use both my phone and a camera. I have a compact point and shoot camera. It has a nice zoom feature

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      1. robertawrites235681907 Avatar
        robertawrites235681907

        Thanks, Dan. My iphone has x15 and my camera has x400. The expression of measurement is different, but my camera is better for birds and closeups of animals.

        Liked by 1 person

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        1. Dan Antion Avatar
          Dan Antion

          Your photos are always wonderful, as are your videos. Do you use the iPhone for video?

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  43. norasphotos4u Avatar
    norasphotos4u

    Here is mine for the week

    https://norasphotos4u.wordpress.com/2025/06/07/cffc-things-made-of-metal/

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  44. Jennie Avatar
    Jennie

    This was wonderful and right up your alley, Dan. Great photos!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Dan Antion Avatar
      Dan Antion

      Thanks Jennie. Next week is ‘stuff made from wood.’ My happy place.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Jennie Avatar
        Jennie

        Ooo, definitely your happy place. We are hooked on The Repair Shop, a terrific TV British show. It’s right up your alley.

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply
        1. Dan Antion Avatar
          Dan Antion

          I’ll have to look for that. Thanks.

          Liked by 1 person

          Reply
          1. Jennie Avatar
            Jennie

            You will LOVE it…really.

            Liked by 1 person

            Reply
  45. 2025 CFFC: Photos taken from below—low angle – Gfpacificbee’s Insights & photography

    […] beginning of July already and it is time to participate in another Fun Foto Challenge. Dan from No Facilities has chosen the theme of Perspective: View from Below—Low […]

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  46. 2025 CFFC: Photos with a Vanishing Point — 07.08 – Gfpacificbee’s Insights & photography

    […] Dan from No Facilities is the host for Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge and this week he has chosen the theme of Perspective: Photos with a Vanishing Point. […]

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  47. 2025 CFFC: 21 July — Perspective_Alongside – Gfpacificbee’s Insights & photography

    […] Dan from No Facilities is the host for Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge and this week he has chosen the theme of Perspective: Alongside.  […]

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