Wrought Iron Handicrafts Announcements

The METAL BENDER HD TOOL is a heavy duty tool allowing you to make gradual to very sharp bends in 1/4″, 5/16″, 3/8″, and 1/2″ solid square bar and solid round rod.

Using the Metal Bender HD tool, you can make profiles of cars, animals, birds, bugs, people, plus a wide variety of other designs. This Metal Bender HD Tool is built for HEAVY DUTY use. Approx. weight of tool is 12 lbs. Powder coated in textured red color.

See more information and photos of finished items made with the Metal Bender HD Tool in our online store.

A lot of care - AND SCROLLS - went into creating this fun and unique vehicle.

Thank you to Brian Mentley and his friends for sharing their project with all of us.

HOP IN & LETS GO FOR A SPIN!

1,250 feet of solid round rod was used in making this street legal car. This car is driven on a daily basis.

Its great to see how these folks used our Metalcraft MK3/3 Scroll Bender to produce all the scrolls on this vehicle, but more importantly…..

the family involvement and enjoyment in this project.

HATS OFF (literally) to these folks and thank you for sharing your project with others who enjoy metalworking:

Car designed & built by Brian Mentley and friends of Windsor Ontario.

I am sending you the lastest on my project for 4-H this year. I had a great year and Im already planning next years project for my Grand Finale in 4-H!Once again, Metalcraft deserves the credit for another outstanding year with my 4-H welding project. This year I challenged myself by creating a classic courting bench. Since we purchased our Metalcraft machines at the 2001 Nebraska State Fair, I had made a goal to create a courting bench . A courting bench is seating for each person as they face opposite directions. Years ago these benches were used by young couples for intimate conversations. While the bench is styled after antique benches from the early 1900s, I opted to create my own pattern. This allowed me to determine the amount of materials I would most likely need for this project. My project proved to be unique as it incorporated various welding techniques and positions.This project required a great deal of planning as the construction had to be completed in a specific order. My first challenge was to properly align the three S patterns that are critical in the construction of this courting bench. The metal has a tendency to spring out of shape so stabilizing the S curve used for the seat was very important.I then finished stabilizing the project with the addition of the lower S curve. The next step involved the seating portion of the benches. This was a real challenge, requiring good support. Also, each of the seat lathes was a different length. Thus, one of the more time consuming portions of this project were the measurements needed for this step. It was critical to measure several times.

My next challenge was how to finish the arms of the bench. Since I had chosen to use heavier flat iron, it was not possible to simply twist and curl the arms into position. This was resolved by adding the separate scroll to the finished end of the arms and then blending it back into the rear chair support.

Finally, it was time for my favorite part of this project, making and installing the scrolls (I have the Metalcraft MK3/3 Scroll Former). After making a test scroll to check for length, positioning and appearance, I began making the multiple scrolls with my equipment. I am so glad to have the Metalcraft equipment as the courting bench required a total of fourteen scrolls! Each scroll was fitted and welded in place. I am very pleased with the design of the scrolls as they remind me of butterflies and I believe they bring a classy touch to my project. To accessorize my classic courting bench, I chose to use purchased finials to complete the posts. My parents say it is a pretty hot bench, especially since my jeans accidentally caught on fire while I was welding it together!

As I completed each step, I found it was necessary to clean my welds as in some cases they were not very easy to reach. This was done by hand using a file in tight areas and the larger welds were finished using a flapper wheel grinder.

Once construction was completed, I primed my project and then applied two coats of glossy black paint to finish my classic courting bench.

This courting bench will add to the landscaping of our home as it will be placed near our waterfall and pond. I am extremely proud of my accomplishment and had some of my senior pictures taken with the courting bench. At the 2004 Madison County Fair this summer, I received a purple ribbon and an Outstanding Exhibit award. My success continued at the 2004 Nebraska State Fair where I was awarded a total of 96 out of 100 points on my courting bench which earned a purple ribbon as well as a Special Recognition Award for Outstanding Craftsmanship. A special thanks to Metalcraft for all of their support and wonderful equipment. I am looking forward to next year, working on my projects as a member of the Needles & Knives 4-H Club!

Sincerely,

Ashley Andrews