Brandon Allen, a recent graduate of South County Tech, has won Cee Kay Supply's first welding contest. Brandon's Cardinal fever won over the judges with its welding skill and creativity. For winning the welding contest Brandon won a Miller Arcstation 60SX weld table with accessory package. Cardinal Fever is a St Louis Cardinal's baseball themed sculpture. It features a carbon steel base with a stainless steel reproduction of the Commissioners Trophy and a carbon steel cardinal perched on top of a bat that is balanced on a baseball. The Cardinal was cut using an oxy fuel torch. Brandon then added a piece of pipe to give the cardinal more size. He then used MIG welding to fill in the body and a layered TIG process to finish the cardinal. The bat and baseball were created on a lathe and given extra detail by TIG welding a wood grain finish on the bat and laces on the ball. Finally Brandon created the Commissioners Trophy. The trophy's base was created on a lathe. The poles for the pennants had to be specifically cut to create the Commissioners Trophy's distinct look. The pennants were welded onto the poles with TIG welding and the poles were joined to the base by MIG welding. The sculpture's inspiration was Brandon's family’s love for the St Louis Cardinals.
Link to PDF