Frequently Asked Questions

What is wrought iron?
At one time, wrought iron was an iron with no carbon in it. What we use and what is now commonly referred to as wrought iron is actually mild steel. Mild steel is iron with a small amount of carbon added for extra strength.

What's the difference between wrought iron & cast iron?
Wrought iron refers to "mild" iron or steel that is low in carbon content and has been heated up to 2000 - 2500 degrees Fahrenheit and worked with a hammer or bent while hot. Cast iron is iron that has been melted at 2800 degrees or hotter and poured into a mold and allowed to cool. Much of the ironwork in New Orleans is cast iron that was brought from Europe as ballast in the empty ships that were coming to the colonies to pick up goods.

Does wrought iron rust?
Wrought iron/mild steel is commonly coated with a linseed oil finish and will rust if left out doors, however it will not rust if left indoors. To help prevent rusting you can apply boiled linseed oil frequently when signs of rust appear. Forged iron can be primed and painted or coated with boiled linseed oil and/or beeswax.

It is recommended that all metal work for exterior applications should be hot dip galvanized.

Should we use powder coat to prevent the rusting?
You can use powder coat to prevent rusting but it is not as effective as galvanizing. If you hot dip galvanize a wrought iron piece it will not rust.

Where can I get a piece galvanized?
Most cities list galvanizing in the phone book. We would be happy to galvanize your wrought iron piece that we have made for you.

How long will my wrought iron piece last?
Well maintained metal will last indefinitely.

Why is wrought iron so expensive?
Good forged work is very labor intensive, requiring safe handling of very hot (2000 degrees or hotter) steel and manipulating it into various shapes. Grinding, assembly and installation also add to the expense. Maintaining a facility to forge steel requires ovens and extensive steel forming equipment: rollers, benders, cutters and punches as well as safety equipment.

What should I look for in good wrought iron? / What determines the quality of forged metal work?
Several things separate fine hand forged metal assemblies from factory made, stamped out and welded together assemblies, what we call "cut and paste".

a) Surface texture. Is the metal hand hammered or machine rolled? Does it have texture? Is it rusted and pitted? Quality hand forged work has neat, flat hammer marks, not random dents from the edge of the hammer. The corners will not be sharp. Higher quality work will have fewer noticeable hammer marks.

b) Variations in dimension in each piece. As you trace each element through the better works, they may vary from thick to thin. One piece may go from 1" square at one end to 1/2" x 2" in the middle to 1/8" x1/8" at the other end. This can only be achieved by heating and hammering the piece at high temperatures. Heavier elements, 3/4" and heavier, have more labor involved than 1/4" dimension work which sometimes does not even involve heating the metal.

c) The graphic design of the assembly. Is it a unique design or is it a repetitive collection of "C" or "S" scrolls, does it look logical or does it look accidental, like someone welded together things that they found in the yard? It should look like a complete work, not something broken off from a larger piece.

d) The connections in the assembly. Are they graceful? Are they well-formed rivets or collar wraps or are the pieces just welded together with the welding blobs visible? Good assemblies should have clean logical connections. Traditionally, there was no arc welding and all connections were mechanical: rivets, machine screws, hot collar wraps. When welding is used, all welds should be counter sunk and ground clean and perhaps hidden under a wrap.

e) Finish. Is the piece clean of paint and rust so you can see the original finish? Or is it caked with many layers of paint and galvanized? Some old ironwork is literally being held together by the paint layers and when sandblasted, will fall apart and be more trouble than they are worth.

f) Tube steel or solid? Tube steel is much thinner metal and will actually start to rust from the inside out even if painted regularly. It is much lighter than solid steel but can not be forged or shaped like solid wrought metal. It is also usually not very old.

g) Repairs or modification. Look for different textures or dissimilar elements in the same assembly along with welding combined with mechanical connections. This indicates modern repair or modifications to an original piece, lowering its value.

h) Damage. Has the piece been dropped or run over? Has it been in a fire? Is it warped or racked and will it need repair before it can be placed in a new setting? Only someone who is capable of making the piece in the first place is qualified in assessing the damage and what it would cost to repair a wrought iron piece.

How long will it take to finish a piece once it is ordered?
Fabrication time varies with each piece and is generally done on a first come, first served basis. On a medium sized project, completion is 2 months after design is completed and 50% deposit is paid.

When can you get started?
Jefferson Mack Metal works with all of their clients on a first come, first served, basis.

How can we best work with you?
Get plans. The more information you can give us showing exact measurements and ideas, the sooner we will be able to complete the design process and begin fabricating.

What are your prices?
Our prices vary from project to project. What determined the price is the intricacy of the design and the amount of labor required to complete the project.

Will it increase the value of my property?
Not only will you see the difference beautiful ironwork will make when incorporated into your home or business, but good forged architectural elements will increase the value of your real estate.

Why is installation so expensive?
Basically if you have blacksmiths do anything other than blacksmithing, you will be paying too much -- like having an electrician change your light bulbs. We design our pieces to be installed by any competent general contractor.

How can I tell if Jefferson Mack Metal is right for my project?
At Jefferson Mack Metal we encourage anyone considering commissioning us for a project to come in and visit our studio.

PRODUCT QUESTIONS

Can I order a table just like your end table only a little larger?
We would be happy to provide you with any variation on any of our product line designs. However, because we would not be able to use our standard assembly fixtures, it will be charged as a custom project.

Can I put fruit or other edible items in your bowls and plates?
It is okay to display fruit and other similar food items in our products, but they are intended for decorational use and should not be eaten out of or used to cook with.

How were these designs inspired?
When many people come into Jefferson Mack Metal the process of blacksmithing and the designs that Jefferson is creating inspires and excites them. Jefferson Mack created his product line to be able to make the beauty of wrought iron work more attainable for everyone.