Art Designed for Outdoor Living

Welding isn’t just for the oil field and construction workers anymore. In fact, works of art, intricate furniture and unique sculptures are easily designed, welded and pieced together to create unique adornments for outdoor living spaces. With a plasma cutter and a welder you can bring the indoor lifestyle to an outdoor porch or deck. It’s adding an extra room home, without added square footage.

Welding shouldn’t be intimidating. With the right gear, trial and error and an instructional class, you can become the next backyard artist. Plus having a welder around the house or garage can come in handy for general repair. “Welding is a lot easier than you think,” said Will Hyde, a do-it-yourselfer, artist and founder of Mile High Landscaping (Denver,CO), a firm dedicated to creating outdoor spaces for enjoyable living. Hyde credits his mechanical and artistic mind for helping him maneuver around a welding machine. He practiced his craft and played with different ideas until he became more comfortable. “It’s important to create outdoor spaces that my clients want to show off and enjoy. Life is stressful. There isn’t a more peaceful way to unwind, than to sit outside and relax.”

Hyde started welding customized pieces after noticing the demand for outdoor art with his clients. He creates functional metal structures like gates, arbors, trellises and water features that have an artistic flair. Hyde knows that working with metal ensures a strong and sturdy piece that lasts longer than other materials. “Increasingly, we are getting more clients who are requesting outdoor pieces of art to accentuate their landscaping projects. I found that combining my artist ability with a welding torch and a plasma cutter was much easier and less expensive for the client. I was first intimidated by the thought of welding, but once I started practicing, I found that welding is truly an easy hobby that anyone can do.”

Hyde is armed with a Forney 190 multi-process (MP) welding machine that is a perfect fit for any do-it-yourselfer or experienced welder. He enjoys the Forney 190 MP because its 3-in-1 function that allows him the ability to work on any scale project or metal thickness. The benefit of having a 3-in-1 is the ease of switching between the MIG, stick and TIG welding processes. The multi-process machine is also spool gun capable for aluminum welding. Hyde enjoys the adjustability, long power cord and lead he gets with this welder. Hyde says, “it runs very smooth, leaving a cleaner weld line with no burn through.”

With the use of the new welder, Hyde’s creations convert a simple backyard into a unique outdoor oasis. From planters, water features and sculptures to furniture and art, the comforts and aesthetics of being inside can now be relocated outside. According to Hyde, “outdoor art is the cherry on the top. It’s what makes your landscaping and outdoor room pop.”

Founded in 1932, Forney is one of America’s most established family-owned welding and metal-working companies. Today, the company offers 6,000 products serving the automotive, hardware, farm & ranch and do-it-yourself markets. Forney offers a new line up of welders that include two multi-processors and four MIG machines. Other protective equipment that Hyde uses and is available through Forney Industries are protective helmets and welding gloves.

Mile High Landscaping, 1101 Santa Fe Drive, Denver, CO 80204, 303-595-0404, www.milehighlandscaping.com.

Forney Industries, Inc., 2057 Vermont Drive, Fort Collins, CO 80525, 970-482-7271, www.forneyind.com.