"Ignoramus29233" wrote in message
...
Very nice castings. And good point on making something at the cost of
$100 that could be bought for $10...

i

Ain't that the truth. My wife reps lines of household goods. She got a new
catalog the other day from a manufacturer that makes plant stands, wall
hanging shelves, ornamental metal items. Mostly out of curved small rods,
and some light angle and flat bar.

I could make the exact same thing, but it would take me hours and hours to
do it. We bought one REALLY nice looking 3' gate once to keep the grandkids
from going up the stairs. It was solid 1/4" square bar, lots of stamped
designs, lots of twisted spirals, etc. It was $43. I couldn't have built
it in three days, and didn't have the equipment for making the spirals and
bends. Had a really nice layered color paint job, too.

Steve