stephanielsikora@gmail.com Posted December 23, 2013 Report Share Posted December 23, 2013 This isn't exactly a refinishing question, but it's a restoration question, so... A friend enlisted me to repair the wobbly handrail in the kitchen at her new house. It's the end piece of a waist-high... thing. Anyway, it's a post set into the floor, and upon inspection, there's been at least five or six previous repairs to this poor thing. So... in lieu of actually fixing it (there's a tentative plan to replace the whole thing in a year or two), I think it would be much easier to just add a couple mending plates/ brackets to the outside. My problem is... I'm not sure where to look for anything that isn't the basic zinc mending brackets at Lowe's. Since these will be showing, I'd like to have something decorative. I guess what I have in mind is the sort of thing that you would see around the corners/ edges of a treasure chest? I'd love to know where to shop for these sort of hardware items. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted December 23, 2013 Report Share Posted December 23, 2013 Can you post some pics? May help to suggest options.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerrySats Posted December 23, 2013 Report Share Posted December 23, 2013 Sounds like getting something fabricated from a metal shop is what your looking for . Where about in the country are you that might help finding someplace local ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beechwood Chip Posted December 23, 2013 Report Share Posted December 23, 2013 +1 on the pics. Are you looking for something to reinforce and inside angle, like an angle bracket, or something to reinforce a straight piece, like a mending plate? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bombarde16 Posted December 23, 2013 Report Share Posted December 23, 2013 How about you start with the zinc-plated steel from Lowe's and then make it look pretty? Start by grinding a decorative profile in the steel, then blowtorch the zinc away and hit the bare steel with some gun blue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephanielsikora@gmail.com Posted December 24, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 24, 2013 I'm looking for stuff like this: http://www.joelcooner.com/Asian/Asian_Japanese_Kuruma_Dansu/Asian_Japanese_Kuruma_Dansu.html http://www.trocadero.com/stores/petrierogers/items/761086/item761086.html http://nyshowplace.com/Vintage-Reclaimed-Wood-Chest-or-Trunk-with-Metal-Hardware/3_209_object=5449.aspx Jerry - we were hoping to get something pre-fab, so that we can do it on the cheap, so custom work is probably not happening. Beechwood - one of each, I think. Rob - lol, great idea, and great idea, but a little outside of my experience (and equipment) zone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted December 24, 2013 Report Share Posted December 24, 2013 http://woodworking.rockler.com/ppc/chest%20hardware?sli_sid=v9100&gclid=CN2jhprNx7sCFVBgMgodrgkAHg Keywords for searching are important. Search and ask for trunk and case hardware. Also, torching and bluing steel are not difficult if and when you want to try something new. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted December 24, 2013 Report Share Posted December 24, 2013 I'm looking for stuff like this: http://www.joelcooner.com/Asian/Asian_Japanese_Kuruma_Dansu/Asian_Japanese_Kuruma_Dansu.html http://www.trocadero.com/stores/petrierogers/items/761086/item761086.html http://nyshowplace.com/Vintage-Reclaimed-Wood-Chest-or-Trunk-with-Metal-Hardware/3_209_object=5449.aspx Jerry - we were hoping to get something pre-fab, so that we can do it on the cheap, so custom work is probably not happening. Beechwood - one of each, I think. Rob - lol, great idea, and great idea, but a little outside of my experience (and equipment) zone. Can you post a pic of the actual area you're wanting this for? Now we understand the style you like, just need to understand the need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beechwood Chip Posted December 24, 2013 Report Share Posted December 24, 2013 Just a guess without seeing it: you can get strap hinges for gates that are rustic and ornamental. They would work both straight and around a corner. You may be able to find something at a hardware store or home center. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chopnhack Posted December 24, 2013 Report Share Posted December 24, 2013 How about you start with the zinc-plated steel from Lowe's and then make it look pretty? Start by grinding a decorative profile in the steel, then blowtorch the zinc away and hit the bare steel with some gun blue. Not to be the safety police, but I know for sure when welding galvanized steel the white fumes that are given off are considered to be toxic. I don't know if the blowtorch will produce the same fumes or not, but if they do, you should be sure to wear a mask rated for metal working fumes. Just an FYI if you do give this a go in the future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bombarde16 Posted December 24, 2013 Report Share Posted December 24, 2013 Safety police always welcome around here. From what I've read, zinc fumes are said to produce mild headaches but don't cause permanent damage and the effects go away if you get fresh air. I've never seen white fumes coming off the metal when torching hardware. I suspect it's primarily a concern for folks who get into metal casting. (A primary source of scrap lead is old wheel weights and frequently there is zinc mixed in with the lead.) The coating of zinc that comes on cheap hardware is so thin as to be negligible by comparison. Work outdoors or open a window and you'll be fine. (You weren't planning on striking a MAPP torch in a confined space, were you?) It's certainly worth it to be able to make cheap screws and hinges look less ugly. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chopnhack Posted December 25, 2013 Report Share Posted December 25, 2013 It's certainly worth it to be able to make cheap screws and hinges look less ugly. Agreed there! Its very hard to find nice hardware without having to spend an arm and a leg for it. I haven't seen an in between market for hardware. Its either pot metal crap from big box stores or online suppliers or restoration grade hardware.... I just went through this issue getting hardware together for the blanket chest I am building. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted December 25, 2013 Report Share Posted December 25, 2013 If you torch screws and bolts it makes them much softer. I pre screw each hole then remove and only torch the head for color. I reinstall the screws by hand with a good fitting screwdriver or wrench . I hammered and torched regular big box metal strip for this sign I built for a business neighbor. Just used a Mapp gas torch outside. Torching treated wood creates nasty fumes as well, respirator and a breeze helped. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephanielsikora@gmail.com Posted December 28, 2013 Author Report Share Posted December 28, 2013 Thanks, all! I've been AFK for a few days due to the holiday. My friend has decided that she's going to wait until she has the kitchen boxes all unpacked until we tackle this, so I probably have... a while to look around Between you guys giving me some search terms, and shopping around, I have ideas for several projects at this point. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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