Iron fence

[Bulldog]

Hi guys,
My wife would like to have a little fence around the front entrance of our house. I was going to buy one of those vinyl fence kits at a home store then I thought that it would be nice to build one out of 5/8 square stock and put some arrows or something like that. I have looked on the computer at what fence companies sell and it shouldn't be hard to produce something along those lines. Any suggestions? What is the difference between wrought Iron and the 5/8 square stock that I buy from the local steel yard? My plans are to build a fence then powder coat each section before I install it.
Bulldog

[wrench3047]

I'm not a metalurgist or even a good welder yet, but I believe wrought iron is just straight iron with a carbon layer on the outside. 5/8" tube is steel iron/nickel? alloy for strength. I think thats right info from HS shop class

[walker]

Wrought iron is not commercially available anymore. What is being sold as wrought iron is really just steel, usually hot rolled. Tubing is what most fences are made of. I usually use 1 1/4 .065 square for the frames and 1/2 .065 for the pickets.
I'll try to post a pic for you. If you are going to build a fence, may as well build a real nice one. It is pouring rain in the Pic, but you get the idea. Also, there is a scrolled detail in the rectangular gap between the picket sections that didn't show up in the picture

[walker]

Here is another shot of the gate. The horse on the beam is one my wifes grandad cut out of sheet metal 40 or 50 years ago.

[karish]

Walker,

Very nice fence work. What did you use to bend the 1/2" tube?

[Bulldog]

[SIZE=5]WOW! Walker Great job on the fence. I am very impressed. I will be asking you some questions...
Bulldog

[walker]

Thanks, I used a couple of blocks of wood and a hard rubber hammer. It bends easy enough with no collapsing due to the fact that it is so small. I just drew the design on the ground and beat the pieces till theyy lined up with the drawing.
This is a bed I made using the same method, although it was made from flat stock.

[aametalmaster]

Bulldog, Here are some link's for fence part's...Bob

http://www.wroughtironconcepts.com

http://www.archirondesign.com

[dyn88]

walker that is some nice work. how long did it take you to make the bed?

[HAWK]

Thanks, I used a couple of blocks of wood and a hard rubber hammer. It bends easy enough with no collapsing due to the fact that it is so small. I just drew the design on the ground and beat the pieces till theyy lined up with the drawing.
This is a bed I made using the same method, although it was made from flat stock.

I don't know if it is possible for you, but I'd love to see how you work that metal with the mallet and blocks. Do you think somebody could take a picture of you doing that? I have seen experienced guys with scrolls jigs and benders whose work was not that clean! Very nice!!!

[fun4now]

woow

thats some sweet work

[Steved]

That is real nice work.

My wife was impressed and has indicated that she would like the same!!

Cheers!

Steve

[walker]

Thanks for the compliments. Hawk, it really was not that difficult. I used a cut off from a beam that was about 8" x 12" and nailed a 2x4 on one end. I used a rubber hammer on the 1/2" tubing. For the flat stock, 2"x1/4" HRF, I used the same block but used a 3# hammer. Hammering on wood does not mar the steel like hammering on an anvil so there is very little finish work to do afterwards.
Dyn88, I made the over two weekends. Steved, tell your wife that was a custom bed that I made earlier this year at the request of one of my customers. I generally do not copy custom designs, however, if she is interested let me know and I could make one of her own design. Unfortunately I think shipping might be prohibitive from Arizona.