Wexford People

Expert craftmansh­ip is a must when you’re investing in bespoke projects

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NEW gates or railings can be a tremendous addition to any home or business property – making that tell all, brilliant first impression, but to really make an impression there’s nothing like a bespoke metal piece.

From a bridge, gazebo or specially designed sculpture piece in the garden, to a one-off metal fireplace or a signature building entrance there are a huge range of options for anyone considerin­g adding a striking and eye-catching new feature to their property or business.

Bespoke metal fabricatio­n is a service that many companies and designers turn to when they are working on custom projects and there are many Wexford and Wicklow fabricatio­n firms that offer the services needed to turn a dream into reality.

Such projects are complicate­d and can be costly so there are a number of things to consider before moving forward on any bespoke work.

What form of welding is best?

There are two popular forms of welding both of which have pros and cons in terms of speed, cost and quality. MIG (Metal Inert Gas Welding) produces less welding fumes, and a faster method of joining two metals together. MIG Welding uses a solid wire electrode alongside gas to protect the metal from reacting to its environmen­t, to ensure welding is fast and continuous.

TIG Welding (Tungsten Inert Gas Welding) requires a skilled fabricator due to its more complex method.

TIG Welding uses a tungsten electrode rod which creates a short arc to bond heavier metals.

Choosing a Fabricator

Choosing the metal fabricator that can best meet a project’s needs is an important decision that can affect the final product.

It can be helpful to note which industries a shop normally services, as well as the sorts of products or processes it specifical­ly focuses on. It is also important to learn about the fabricator’s experience with the type of metal needed for the project as some fabricatio­n firms, while widely experience­d in all areas, can also specialize in one or two specific types of metal fabricatio­n.

Also is precision fabricatio­n required? Precision metal fabricatio­n relies heavily upon rapidly evolving computer technology. Many companies who specialize in precision fabricatio­n use CAD/CAM software to design and layout the products to be manufactur­ed. CNC computers are programmed to perform specific tasks and achieve the incredibly exact specificat­ions required to manufactur­e many products.

The Environmen­t

There is a large range of materials to choose from and all of them, while durable, will behave differentl­y depending on its setting and use. When choosing a form of metal for your project, it is important to understand what environmen­t it will be in. Each metal has its own individual reaction to interior and exterior settings, with risk of faster deteriorat­ion in certain environmen­ts and this is a vital considerat­ion in any bespoke project. What works well and looks good as part of a fireplace may not be suitable for a garden.

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