How Wrought Iron Railings Are Made. As you read through this article, you will learn how to ask better questions when you are considering commissioning a set of Wrought Iron Railings.
Starting Material and Preparation
A blacksmith begins by working with mild or wrought iron bar stock. The bar is cut to the appropriate length to form the rails, uprights and any scrolls, and then the correct proportions are established for the early stages of development to avoid excessive alteration later on.
Heating the Metal
When worked with, iron is a very flexible material and can be shaped in a number of ways without splitting. However, it does have a tendency to crack when it is cold, so the blacksmith first has to heat it up in a coal or gas forge until it reaches a bright orange or yellow heat. At this temperature, iron can be worked without cracking.
Shaping by Hand
While the metal is still hot, the blacksmith uses hammers and an anvil to shape tapers, twists, collars and scroll ends to create each individual part before they harden.
Assembly and Joining
The individual parts of the wrought iron railing are then joined up by the blacksmith. He can use either forge-welding, where two pieces of iron are heated up and then hammered together, or modern MIG welding, for example, where the metal is melted using an electrical arc.
Finishing and Rust Protection
Once assembled, the wrought iron railing will be wire-brushed and then primed and painted with a special rust-inhibiting finish. There is more on Wrought Iron Railings at https://donkeywellforge.co.uk/what-we-make/wrought-iron-railings/.
Knowing the individual steps involved in the making of a Wrought Iron Railing will help you in your discussions with any Blacksmiths you approach.
