Iron rails are increasing in popularity for their sleek and modern design, which creates a contemporary look in the home. They’re not only beautiful but are also functional when they’re used on stairwells and balconies. If you want to make DIY iron rails for your residential property, there are a few main steps to follow to tackle the project with ease.
Get the Right Tools
You’ll need to have a few specific tools on hand to start your project, which includes using a leveler and tape measure. Use a pencil to mark the two spaces where the iron railing will be mounted. Measure between the two spots on the top and the bottom. Take notes of the measurements to ensure you know how much material to purchase at a home improvement store. Obtaining excess metal can allow you to compensate for any mistakes you may make during the process.
Cut the Metal
There are a couple of options available when it’s time to cut the metal, and it all depends on the design you want to do. With a decorative ironwork book, you can look through the many designs to find the one that’s right for your project.
A metal cutting bandsaw will work well to ensure you can perform cuts with more precision multiple times, which makes it a simple and efficient process. The balusters will be longer than what you’ll likely need for your railings, making it necessary to cut them off to length with the bandsaw you’re using. You can consider cutting the balusters at 32 inches for the proper height.
When you cut multiple balusters at the same time, they should be going the same direction to ensure they’re all the same length. You can make markings on each baluster with a white pen or pencil to ensure they’re cut on the right spot. You can now cut the top and bottom rails.
Use an angle grinder to cut through the metal, as well as bar clamps to cover the width and height of your railing. Plates can be used for mounting brackets on the top and bottom rails. You can also bevel the edges, which is easier to do now than when they’re already welded. Beveling the edge offers more surface area to weld.
Weld the Iron Railings
When you plan to weld your own iron railing, you’ll need to use a template that allows you to have proper spacing between each iron post when you weld the metal material. You can use a basic beginner’s welder to weld the metal and balusters that you may have ordered. This will keep the posts in place and will prevent them from moving around or shifting as you spend time working on the project.
By following the right steps, you can create professional and quality iron railings that you can show off in different rooms of the home or on the exterior of your home. This can enhance the design of your space and also boost the value of your property.