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-key”product  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 workman’s 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.

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.