Wrought Iron Sources (esp Colorado)

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Greetings, I am looking for some sources of wrought iron to do some artwork for the patio. I was thinking wrought iron mostly because of its ability to be bent very well under heat. Can someone suggest somewhere where I might find it relatively cheap. I have tried my local metal dealers and no one stocks it. They can special order it but it would be expensive. I'd rather not pay a fortune for it if it can be avoided. Any tips or hints are appreciated. -- RobertMiller Syncrowave 200 Runner (Home)Victor Journeyman Torch Rig (Home)Jet Horizontal and Vertical BandsawMiller Spectrum 375 (Next on the List)
Reply:You might try King Arch. Metals. They mail order.http://www.kingmetals.com/.No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Hot rolled mild steel bends quite well under heat and without heat.  They (Wrought and mild) are definately "work" differently, though I have only worked with it 3 times.  However I don't know if the effort of locating Wrought iron is worth the different.  I thing the real advantage to wrought iron is corrosion resistance if left exposed to the enviroment.Old fencing from salvage yards is a source.  Might find some vendors on ebay.  Check some Blacksmiths in your area.
Reply:Nobody worldwide has made new wrought iron since the mid 70's, and even then there was only one mill, in Sweden, making it primarily in pipe for chemical plants.No steelyard can special order real wrought iron.So you are probably talking about something else altogether.There are blacksmiths who collect old wrought iron, and forge with it- mostly 100 years old and older, from old bridges, mine railroad track, and very old fences. But commercially, steel replaced wrought iron in most applications around World War 1, so its gotta be pretty old stuff.Wrought Iron has a very noticeable grain to it, due to silica inclusions. It does not actually bend much better when heated than steel- in fact, cheaper grades of wrought iron are more likely to rip or tear than mild steel. But it can be forged much more than steel, with less problems with cold shuts and cracks at the end of pieces. Blacksmiths like it for this increased ability to forge complicated shapes, and for the texture the grain gives it.What do you really want to build?What sizes of material do you need?How much actual bending are you going to do?Its usually easier, with the right tools, to bend cold rather than hot, but it depends on the situation- some things must be bent hot.
Reply:Decorative Steel would be the term The word Wrought Iron is thrown out for just about anything worked by hand to form a decorative shape as the word Wrought does mean To Work.So we end up with Wrought Iron railings made from Mild steelEd Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:As already said, but I'll say it again anyway  , almost all 'wrought iron' nowadays is not really "wrought iron" but is just steel.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wrought_ironSo just go and find and buy some steel.  The best laid schemes ... Gang oft agley ...
Reply:there's still one or two small specialty foundaries that make small drops of wrought iron, but it's pretty expensive and hard to source.people are correct in saying that the term has kind of become a general term for worked iron and lot of decorative iron that is patina'd to look like wrought iron.low carbon mild steel is usually a good substitute but it will rust under normal weather unlike wrought iron.
Reply:Just out of curiosity, why isn't it made anymore? If that is the case then what grades of steel should I be looking for? I want to build some patio furniture with it and I will be doing a whole bunch of bending but I don't want the chair or table to bend cold if someone stands on it either.Miller Syncrowave 200 Runner (Home)Victor Journeyman Torch Rig (Home)Jet Horizontal and Vertical BandsawMiller Spectrum 375 (Next on the List)
Reply:Originally Posted by kraytheJust out of curiosity, why isn't it made anymore? If that is the case then what grades of steel should I be looking for? I want to build some patio furniture with it and I will be doing a whole bunch of bending but I don't want the chair or table to bend cold if someone stands on it either.
Reply:Originally Posted by kraytheJust out of curiosity, why isn't it made anymore? If that is the case then what grades of steel should I be looking for? I want to build some patio furniture with it and I will be doing a whole bunch of bending but I don't want the chair or table to bend cold if someone stands on it either.
Reply:Den-Col supply in Denver has a wide range of premade parts for gates, railings, etc.  I suggest that you stop in and see what they have.As others have said, ordinary mild steel is easy enough to bend, hot or cold.RichardSculptures in copper and other metalshttp://www.fergusonsculpture.comSyncrowave 200 Millermatic 211Readywelder spoolgunHypertherm 600 plasma cutterThermal Arc GMS300 Victor OA torchHomemade Blacksmith propane forge
Reply:Originally Posted by kraytheJust out of curiosity, why isn't it made anymore? If that is the case then what grades of steel should I be looking for? I want to build some patio furniture with it and I will be doing a whole bunch of bending but I don't want the chair or table to bend cold if someone stands on it either.
Reply:Forge. Get a forge if you want the pleasure of hammering out your own shapes. Then it will be hand "wrought" steel.
Reply:Hi Robert. Maybe the thing you are looking for is 'ornamental' iron pieces instead of 'wrought' iron pieces. The co. that DSW mentioned has alot of that in their catalog.If you are wanting to make your own scrolls, etc.  then at your metal dealer ask for steel flat bar. Below is a link you can go to that this person made his own machine to twist flat bar. Some guys have made their scrolls using nothing more than a vice and round bar, pipe, etc. You could do a search at the top for 'scrolls' .http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...sting+flat+bar Hope this helps.Rodney                                   The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it.'  Proverbs 10:22 NKJV