How much would it cost for a garage machinists to take a piece of 1" square
rod 6" long ...........

leave the ends like they are one inch on each end ...............

turn down the middle to 7/8" diameter ...........

put lengthwise flutes in it ............

So it looked like an antique wood column when done?

Make 50 of them?

Can be hot rolled steel, can even be scrap, just has to look nice when
finished. Will be painted.

I am interested in having some of these made, and other shapes that look
like old columns, but with a little more designs. On some, the round shaft
can be smooth, and there would be a raised ring between the end square and
the round shaft. Just like an old wood column. That would probably be a
lot easier and cheaper to do than cutting the flutes, right?

Will consider any and all ideas.

Answer here or e mail me.

Steve