| FAQ
Frequently
Asked Questions
Does Wiemann Metalcraft
work outside of Oklahoma?
How
do I get Wiemann Metalcraft to offer a proposal for my project?
Does Wiemann Metalcraft
offer ball-park pricing?
Does Wiemann Metalcraft offer "Value Engineering" or
can Wiemann Metalcraft offer improvements to specifications,
materials, finishes, fabrication processes which would improve
the price or schedule of the work?
Does
Wiemann Metalcraft offer discounts to designers, architects,
builders, or similar?
What
is Wiemann Metalcraft normal lead time?
How does Wiemann Metalcraft measure for a curved stair railing?
Does
Wiemann Metalcraft ever ship work for others to install?
What
materials and processes are commonly used by Wiemann Metalcraft
?
Does
Wiemann Ironworks offer Design services?
What
types of finishes does Wiemann Metalcraft offer?
How can
I keep my project within budget?
Why is Wiemann Metalcraft bid so much more expensive than
some of the other bids we received?
What
is the difference between Wrought Iron and Steel?
What is the difference between Cast Iron and Wrought Iron?
What
is the difference between Brass and Bronze?
Does Wiemann Metalcraft ever work with Laser Cutting, Water Jet
Cutting, or CNC Milling of metals?
What
are the CAD capabilities of Wiemann Metalcraft?
Can Wiemann Metalcraft send me samples or mock-ups for review
or approval?
How
does Wiemann Metalcraft warrant its work?
Does Wiemann Metalcraft ever work for or with other businesses
or ornamental metal shops?
I have an existing exterior iron railing which is rusting, what
is the best way to maintain it?
Does Wiemann Metalcraft install electronic gate operating systems?
Does
Wiemann Metalcraft offer design services for Gated Communities
and Gated Entries for Communities?
What
is the best gate operating system for my residence, my gated
community, or subdivision?
Why
does custom ornamental metalwork cost so much?
What
affiliations does Wiemann Metalcraft maintain?
Does
Wiemann Metalcraft work outside of Oklahoma?
Yes, we work nationwide including
Hawaii, the Caribbean and internationally as well.

How do I get Wiemann Metalcraft to offer a proposal
for my project?
For the most timely, accurate,
and cost effective bid, please provide the following information
to us via mail or email:
1. Your
architect’s or landscape architect’s plans and specifications
2. Any
site measurements and photos if applicable
3.
Job site location
4.
Timeframe for completion,
5.
Any other sketches, designs, photos, or magazine clippings
which may help us understand what you want.
As with any form of custom work, the more information you can
give our estimator, the more accurate and timely our response
and your proposal will be. If you come to our shop in Tulsa,
we will gladly set an appointment and consult with you free of
charge about your work. We have a showroom full of samples and
finishes to offer better insight into what your particular project
may need.

Does
Wiemann Metalcraft offer “ball-park” pricing?
No. Ball park prices
are not offered because they are almost always inaccurate and
often do not take important factors into account which would be
caught during the normal estimating process.

Does Wiemann Metalcraft offer "Value Engineering"
or can Wiemann Metalcraft offer improvements to specifications,
materials, finishes, fabrication processes which would improve
the price or schedule of the work?
Yes. The more information
we receive during the estimating phase, the more accurate we can
be with our proposal. If you indicate up front that your project
is extremely budget driven, we will offer VE ideas from the outset
in order to make it as affordable as possible. Alternately, if
you provide us with a budget number in advance, we can submit
for consideration the type of metalwork we can provide for that
price.

What is Wiemann Metalcraft normal lead time?
Lead time depends on the size and complexity of the project
and the backlog of work already underway. We generally quote the
time frame expected for completion for any particular project
at the time of the proposal, however, because approvals are often
lengthy and delay commencement for weeks or months, we reserve
the right to redefine the project length at the time that all
approvals are received. We can turn many projects around
in 12-16 weeks from approvals however.

How does Wiemann Metalcraft measure for a curved
stair railing?
We must physically measure or template your curving stair
which generally involves a crew from our shop traveling to the
jobsite by air or by truck and working on site for a few days
making a steel or aluminum template of your stair.
We also use state of the art digital measurement systems to help
ensure the accuracy of our work and provide more cost effective
solutions to our clients.

Does Wiemann Metalcraft ever ship work for others
to install?
Yes. We have excellent
discounts with our freight carriers. We often manufacture
products for others to install excepting most stair railings.

What materials and processes are commonly used by Wiemann Metalcraft ?
Wiemann Metalcraft commonly
works in cast and wrought steel, stainless steel, iron, aluminum,
copper, brass bronze, and monel metal. Wiemann Metalcraft
also fabricates, forges and cast in iron, stainless steel, steel,
brass, bronze, copper, aluminum and other alloys.

Does Wiemann Ironworks offer Design services?
Yes, We can offer design services
on an hourly basis including the preparation of shop drawings
and specifications for bidding. Depending on the type and complexity
of your project we also recommend you consult with a local
architect who can help coordinate our work with the other trades
that may be involved, while addressing building code related issues

What types of finishes does Wiemann Metalcraft offer?
Wiemann Metalcraft offers all of the traditional and contemporary
finishes for ornamental metalwork. . For example, we offer
traditional finishes of wax and linseed oil on forged iron,
patina finishes for ferrous and non-ferrous metals, as well as
complex catalyzed paint and primer systems. Be aware that
with ornamental metalwork, specialty finishes can sometimes cost
as much as the fabrication of a product. If you do not have
a finish specification for your work, we can offer one to suit
the requirements of the installation.

How can I keep my project within budget?
If you choose to share your
budget with us, we will help design and/or value engineer your
existing design to stay within your budget. If we provide
you with a fixed price proposal for your work, we will hold that
price unless the scope of work changes.

Why is Wiemann Metalcraft bid so much more expensive
than some of the other bids we received?
Wiemann Metalcraft never strives
to be the low bidder, but we instead prefer to be the best bidder;
bringing together the right balance of quality, service and experience.
Unless we are instructed otherwise, Wiemann Metalcraft will
always assume a very high level of finish joinery and finish quality
on the proposed work. In addition, our professional project managers
and detailers, along with our skilled craftsmen offer a
turn-keyproduct that does not leave the customer
with surprises at the end of the job or project management responsibilities.
We will decline to bid projects where the details do not meet
our standards for joinery or finish.
And concurrently, when specifications and details are clear,
our bids are almost always equal to others.
This is the reason you need to provide as much information as
possible to each bidder, so you receive a fair and accurate apples
to apples result.

What is the difference between Wrought Iron and
Steel?
The terms iron and steel are
often used interchangeably today. So, unless it is “cast”
iron you are referring to, iron and steel mean the same thing
to the contemporary metal fabricator. “Wrought Iron” usually
refers to the process of iron or steel being “wrought” by hand
or machine and implies a degree of decoration is involved.
(e.g. “I would prefer a wrought iron fence” and “ I would
prefer a decorative steel fence” means the same thing) However,
“wrought iron” is also a very specific type of iron which was
the predominant metal used for ornamental and structural work
prior to 1920s. When modern smelting processes and higher
grades of “steel” became available and “wrought iron” was discontinued
in favor of the new alloys. Since “real” wrought iron is
no longer made except in specialty mills, all ornamental metal
shops use A36 Carbon Steel in their fabrication and forging operations
where ironwork is required. See the NOMMA website here
http://www.nomma.org/support/wrought/wrought.htm for an excellent
article by Todd Daniel which details the technical differences.

What is the difference between Cast Iron and Wrought
Iron?
Cast iron is formed by pouring
molten iron into a mold which was formed by pressing a carved
pattern into casting sand. Wrought iron is also called forged
iron. It is the process of taking a bar of preformed metal
such as round, square or flat bars, then heating it and working
the hot metal by hand under the hammer and over an anvil and with
various tools. Wiemann Metalcraft utilizes both methods in
many alloys of metals to achieve the final finished product.

What is the difference between Brass and Bronze?

Brass and bronze are copper based alloys . For the purposes
of ornamental metalwork, there is no formal differentiation between
brass and bronze, only a common perception that the more yellow
a copper alloy appears, it is more likely referred to as brass,
and the more reddish it appears to be it is called bronze.
While there are several hundred copper based alloys used in industry,
we generally use the following alloys in our work. Silicon
Bronze (Cast and wrought), , Muntz metal (sheets), Naval Brass
(sheets), Free Maching Bronze (bars and shapes for fabrication),
Commercial Bronze (sheets) and Architectural Bronze (bars and
shapes). Of these alloys, bronze handrail or cap rail is
made of Architectural Bronze which is an extrudable alloy.
Copper based alloys have different chemical compositions to allow
them to be fabricated, milled or used in different applications
in industry. For example; architectural bronze is extrudable but
it cannot be rolled into sheets. The formula for Naval brass or
muntz metal allows it to be rolled into sheet form and its composition
is very close to architectural bronze but neither one can
be extruded. This is why complex bronze doors and railings are
often made from a variety of copper based alloys.
See the Copper Development Association website here http://www.copper.org/
for more details on copper alloys, uses and specifications.

Does Wiemann Metalcraft ever work with Laser Cutting,
Water Jet Cutting, or CNC Milling of metals?
Yes. Because of our CAD
capabilities we can work with any applicable CNC machining processes
to economize and/or accelerate production schedules.

What are the CAD capabilities of Wiemann Metalcraft?
Wiemann Metalcraft uses AutoCAD
and Solid Edge, and AutoCAD Inventor 3 D modeling software.
These files can be plotted or sent electronically for revisions,
comments, and field coordination. In addition, we use digital
photographs extensively to aid in progress billing, design, and
project coordination.

Can Wiemann Metalcraft send me samples or mock-ups
for review or approval?
Yes, for a charge. We
often create a full size sample for review and approval prior
to beginning work.

How does Wiemann Metalcraft warrant its work?
Wiemann Metalcraft stands firmly
behind all of its work. We are bound by law to hold a one
year standard workmans warranty on any of our products anywhere
in the country, , but we are not satisfied until our customers
are delighted with both our service and our products. In
this way we are able to work for the same clients year after year.

Does Wiemann Metalcraft ever work for or with other
businesses or ornamental metal shops?
Yes. We have formed strategic
business alliances with many architects, builders, designers,
stair manufacturers and other metal fabrication shops all over
the country. We work with each other by continually offering
referrals and production support.

I have an existing exterior iron railing which
is rusting, what is the best way to maintain it?
We recommend that if the railing is badly deteriorated or
loose in any way to find a qualified local ornamental iron or
welding service shop to make necessary structural repairs.
If the railing is in sound shape then remove the rust and failing
paint with a wire brush or sand papaer, naval jelly and or a chemical
paint remover,then use a rust inhibitive primer or a zinc
rich primer and a good quality rust inhibitive top coat, all should
be available at your local hardware store. Be sure to
follow the paint manufacturer's recommendation for coating thickness
and dry timess, a thin coat of paint will not weather as well
as a heavier coating and a coating which is too heavy will not
cure properly
Exercise care when removing old paint as it may contain lead.
By sandblasting or abrading the paint by mechanical means, you
will create a dust plume which contains lead which can be
tracked into adjacent buildings or inhaled. For this reason,
when working with lead based paints use paint strippers so that
the paint remains can be disposed of properly in the garbage.

Does Wiemann Metalcraft install electronic gate
operating systems?
Yes we do, but only within the Tulsa area. If your project
demands electronic gate operators for one of our gates but you
do not live near Tulsa, we will provide specifications for the
design and installation of the entry system and recommend you
coordinate the work with a local experienced gate operator installer.
This ensures good service after the sale.
We can offer this coordination service as well if you desire a
turn-key solution.

Does
Wiemann Metalcraft offer design services for Gated Communities
and Gated Entries for Communities?
Wiemann Metalcraft designs gate, and electronic entry system
and fencing, wiring requirements, or other site furnishings we
may be fabricating,but generally we defer overall landscape,
site and urban design and planning of the entry to a qualified
architect or landscape architect.
Be aware that set backs, city and state building codes, hydrant
access, emergency vehicle access and many other considerations
will come into play with a gated entry and the best person to
manage this is a qualified design professional familiar with local
zoning and building code requirements.

What
is the best gate operating system for my residence, my gated community,
or subdivision?
Wiemann Metalcraft has installed over 100 gates and gate operators
and entry systems over the past 10 years and can provide the
specifications and designs best-suited for your gated entry
as part of our scope of work.
Why does custom ornamental metalwork cost so much?
The single greatest cost of our goods sold is labor this is
as true today as is was 100 years ago for our trade. Therefore,
the more labor there is involved in the work, the more expensive
the work will be. Additionally, we rarely enjoy the benefits
of production processes because we are always making something
new or different everyday. If General Motors or Ford had
to make your car one at a time, to your specifications for size,
design, color, metal, etc. you can be assured it would cost a
lot more!

What affiliations
does Wiemann Metalcraft maintain?
Wiemann Metalcraft is a founding
member of NOMMA, The National Ornamental and Miscellaneous Metals
Association,www.nomma.org, and
Doug Bracken retains a seat on the Board of Directors of the National
Ornamental Metal Museum in Memphis, TN. www.metalmuseum.org
(www.metalmuseum.org). Wiemann Metalcraft also maintains
memberships with the Artists Blacksmith Association of North America
www.abana.org, The Sculpture
Center, and American Craft Council.

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