"Metal Art" Turkey

"Metal Art" Turkey FARM HOME Novelty Items 32-2-42 "I like to do metal artwork using old machinery parts and recently made this colorful turkey. It's one of my wife's favorites," says Arnie Johnsrud, high school ag instructor/FFA advisor in Kewaunee, Wis. Johnsrud made the turkey using the gas tank off an Allis Chalmers WD tractor for the body. An æS' tine off a Brillion harrow serves as the neck, and a combine header pea guard forms the head. A mower sickle guard is used for the eyes, with lengths of roller chain forming the wattle. The beard is made from a few metal strands off a yard rake. The wings are the notched paddles off a New Idea manure spreader, and the fan tail was made by welding together several paddles. A large notched disc blade is inside the fan tail. The feet were made by welding together the shovel points off a field cultivator. The legs are off a New Holland silage chopper, and the knees are the knuckles from a shaft on the chopper that was used to turn the chute. The body is spray painted brownish black, and the face has a bluish tinge. The outside tips of the wings and fan tail are painted a cream color. "This is the second turkey I've made," says Johnsrud. "The first one was made for a local implement dealer who developed severe health problems. One of his relatives asked me if I could make something out of equipment parts that he sold, so I did. After my wife saw it she asked me to make one for her. When the dealer died, the turkey was on display at the funeral home for everyone to see." Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Arnie Johnsrud, Ag Instructor/FFA Advisor, Kewaunee School District, 911 Third Street, Kewaunee, Wis. 54216 (ph 920 388-2951, ext. 140; fax 920 388-5165; ajohnsrud@Kewaunee.k12.wi.us).

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