No Project Too Big
For Moran Iron Works
At 5, Tom Moran knew he wanted to be a welder. He had no idea how big or creative some of his creations would be as owner of Moran Iron Works in Onaway, Mich. It’s hard to miss Big Gus, the world’s largest working chainsaw at 22 ft. long by 6 ft. tall and dozens of other sculptures scattered around Michigan and in a few other states.
Founded in 1978, Moran’s fabrication facility is known for the big boats, turbine components, greenhouse gas reduction modules and equipment made for marine, power, industrial and hydro companies. Located 20 miles from Lake Huron, custom orders of all sizes can be shipped all over the world. Or they can be found as close as the 85-ft. aluminum ship built to ferry passengers to and from Mackinac Island.
“There’s less competition in manufacturing large,” Moran says. He figured that out in the 90s after successfully building the housing for the world’s largest Gemini telescopes in Chile and Hawaii.
Moran notes that he started small, learning by trial and error to weld broken desks and chairs at his school and graduating as the school’s unofficial repairman. When he started his business, he advanced his welding skills by learning from welders he hired.
When his business started to do well, he gave back to his community by welding a set of logging wheels for Onaway’s Fourth of July celebration as a nod to the local lumber industry and his father, who had been a logger.
“It was a great hit with the locals,” Moran recalls and started his tradition of creating sculptures every year.
He built the 3,500-lb. chainsaw when his business had extra conveyor chain and a V-8 engine from manufacturing work. It’s now one of the displays at Yooperland in Ishpeming. It’s also home to Big Ernie, the world’s largest working rifle at 35-ft. long and 4,000 lbs. and a giant hand-cranked water pump.
As his tools and skills improved, Moran welded more polished projects, including the head of George Washington. It has become a landmark in Onaway and started Moran on a journey to learn more about art.
He’s pleased with more recent projects such as his Atlas Holding the World of Tools in Chesterfield, Mich., and a gargoyle sitting on books reading a book at the library in Oscoda, Mich. Residents of a Colorado town appreciate his giant butterfly.
“My favorite one is always the next piece. I always know where I could’ve done better. My style changes and I hope it continues to change. It’s why I always want to do something new,” Moran says.
There are no specs with art, so welding sculptures is relaxing. Occasionally, students at the welding school he started also help with sculptures.
Along with commissioned work, Moran has created more than 70 welded sculptures. Many can be seen at Awakon Park in Onaway.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Moran Iron Works, 11739 M-68/33, Onaway, Mich. 49765 (ph 989-733-2011; sales@moraniron.com; www.moraniron.com).
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No Project Too Big For Moran Iron Works AG WORLD At 5 Tom Moran knew he wanted to be a welder He had no idea how big or creative some of his creations would be as owner of Moran Iron Works in Onaway Mich It’s hard to miss Big Gus the world’s largest working chainsaw at 22 ft long by 6 ft tall and dozens of other sculptures scattered around Michigan and in a few other states Founded in 1978 Moran’s fabrication facility is known for the big boats turbine components greenhouse gas reduction modules and equipment made for marine power industrial and hydro companies Located 20 miles from Lake Huron custom orders of all sizes can be shipped all over the world Or they can be found as close as the 85-ft aluminum ship built to ferry passengers to and from Mackinac Island “There’s less competition in manufacturing large ” Moran says He figured that out in the 90s after successfully building the housing for the world’s largest Gemini telescopes in Chile and Hawaii Moran notes that he started small learning by trial and error to weld broken desks and chairs at his school and graduating as the school’s unofficial repairman When he started his business he advanced his welding skills by learning from welders he hired When his business started to do well he gave back to his community by welding a set of logging wheels for Onaway’s Fourth of July celebration as a nod to the local lumber industry and his father who had been a logger “It was a great hit with the locals ” Moran recalls and started his tradition of creating sculptures every year He built the 3 500-lb chainsaw when his business had extra conveyor chain and a V-8 engine from manufacturing work It’s now one of the displays at Yooperland in Ishpeming It’s also home to Big Ernie the world’s largest working rifle at 35-ft long and 4 000 lbs and a giant hand-cranked water pump As his tools and skills improved Moran welded more polished projects including the head of George Washington It has become a landmark in Onaway and started Moran on a journey to learn more about art He’s pleased with more recent projects such as his Atlas Holding the World of Tools in Chesterfield Mich and a gargoyle sitting on books reading a book at the library in Oscoda Mich Residents of a Colorado town appreciate his giant butterfly “My favorite one is always the next piece I always know where I could’ve done better My style changes and I hope it continues to change It’s why I always want to do something new ” Moran says There are no specs with art so welding sculptures is relaxing Occasionally students at the welding school he started also help with sculptures Along with commissioned work Moran has created more than 70 welded sculptures Many can be seen at Awakon Park in Onaway Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Moran Iron Works 11739 M-68/33 Onaway Mich 49765 ph 989-733-2011; sales@moraniron com; www moraniron com
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