I contrived this T-Rex sculpture from old tools, car and bicycle parts as well as other bits and pieces. Here is a quick list of what I used: pliers, bicycle chain, transmission gears, bolts, drum brake pad, nuts, socket wrenches, screws, u-bolts, and even a few driver bits.
I find most of my materials in junkyards, metal recycling centers, thrift stores and flea markets. I am usually hunting shapes, sometimes I find an item that needs to be turned into something else! When I am in create mode, I walk around my workshop, where I have all the materials organized, and I just see what could be, get an idea and get started. I begin by designing in my mind, find the parts that fit and let it flow. I use old tools, kitchen items, car parts, and other scrap metal. I don’t clean parts before creation; all materials are used in their found state. I typically start by building the frame, then I puzzle out what parts fit into the shape. Sometimes I have to cut parts with my plasma cutter and occasionally I will use a torch to soften and bend a stubborn piece, then I use a wire fed mig welder to weld all the pieces into place.