[Boomer63]

Great work! If you haven't already, take a look at the parts book from King Metals. When I was last in business, I used to purchase all of my decorative iron elements from King; I couldn't make them as inexpensively as I could buy them from King. I was able to really add decorative design to rails. For example, for an upscale wine shop I built a basic handrail/grab rail, but worked in grape vines with leaves and grape clusters. Very effective.

[MinnesotaDave]

Thank you

That's a good point Boomer - I did check them out for this one, but the scale version of the scroll I drew did not match available ones.

If I end up doing more of these, I'll likely be watching what I draw so that it matches more off the shelf items.

For the small stuff that comes in, like window grates for a bar that I made recently, making a few isn't too big of a deal.

[Boomer63]

Hi Minnesota! For a few years I made a living making custom handrails like you picture here. I did always try to work some custom element into the design. For example, I would try to pick up on design elements in the front of the house for the front rails, etc. I worked with a local glass artist and she was able to do some really nice designs in glass. For one customer, who was a very 'out-doorys' type, I put in four panes of glass, about 4" X 8" depicting the four seasons. Very thick glass, so no real worries about breaking. I miss that kind of work, in a way it was fun! But it was hard for me to start thinking 'outside of the box' and not be so plain and utilitarian.

I look forward to seeing more of your projects!

[MinnesotaDave]

Stained glass work in a black iron railing would look awesome

[Wobulate]

Great job Dave, I enjoyed the pictures and shots of your welds.

Did you build a fixture to assemble the main panels ?

Regards,
Wobulate (Bruce)

P.S.: Looking at your drawings, thats how I start my projects. When I was working I had to use Microsoft Visio Professional, so now that is what I use to finalize my designs.

[MinnesotaDave]

Thanks Wobulate

For a fixture, all I did was clamp 2 angle irons at a 90 on the table.

Then I just laid in the top rail and first post - worked my way across.