Charleston, South Carolina Custom Iron Gates by JDR Metal Art
Plasma Cut Scrollwork & Wrought Iron Ornamental Elements
These custom iron gates are going to a property in beautiful Charleston, South Carolina.
Designed and fabricated by JDR Metal Art, a nationwide supplier of custom gates.
They are dual swing steel, each panel is 8′ wide, created for a 16’10” driveway opening. They will be hanging from 6×6″ steel posts, 1/4″ wall thickness.
The scrollwork is plasma cut from 1/2″ thick steel plate.
Custom Gates with Maple Tree Design by JDR Metal Art
Custom gates are more than just a great way to keep people out of places they don’t belong.
The process of creating a unique custom gate brings people together, connecting them with a singular purpose.
When an idea for a custom gate finds fertile ground it has all the potential it needs to unfold in the form of an intricate work of art.
Appearance matters but can be deceiving to the uninitiated. True value is found in things that not only look great at first impression but will also withstand the test of time.
custom maple tree gate-front
custom maple tree gate-back
Bronze powder coated finish
14′ dual swing driveway entry
6″ x 6″ x 1/4″ steel gate posts with adjustable hinges
springtime in grand rapids, mi
7′ tall center height
custom maple tree gate-side view
Detail, Detail, Detail…From Start to Finish
Creating custom gates involves in many skill sets which are applied in succession to bring forth the finished product.
Each project begins in the design stage. The concept is formed into a shape that fits accordingly with the details of the client’s exact needs and desires.
The concept then converges with the materials provided by nature and the energy of labor.
The outcome is of course determined by the amount of skilled attention and detail applied throughout the process.
If you have an idea you would like to discuss for a custom gate, please inquire using the form below or contact us! Hope to hear from you soon.
JDR Metal Art builds driveway gates for horse farms and ranches nationwide. These 14′ dual swing driveway gates are going to an equine farm in Ocala, Florida.
These gates designed & manufactured from marine grade aluminum by JDR Metal Art.
Custom Aluminum Driveway Gates
Artwork Plasma Cut from 3/16″ Thick Aluminum Sheets
Here are some nice and shiny looking 6′ x 8′ sheets of 3/16″ thick aluminum that we’re using as the canvas for our metal art project. The sheets will be welded into a 2×2″ square tubing frame a little later.
Plasma Cutting Driveway Gate Designs:
The gate design is going to be cut out on a plasma table.
Plasma cutting is a process that we use to turn stock metals such as steel, aluminum or iron into intricate shapes for decorative driveway gates.
Not only will these gates be decorative, they will also be very durable since we are using 3/16″ thick aluminum which is much thicker than a typical boat hull.
Plasma Cutting Aluminum
In this video clip you can see what it looks like when we’re cutting aluminum.
The light from the electrical arc in the plasma torch is very bright and hot, many thousands of degrees of heat and swirling plasma gas creates a clean cut directly through the metal.
Framing It Up Prior to Welding
These are dual or double swing gates. Each panel is 7′ wide. They are also 5′ tall on the ends and 6’4″ tall in the center. The gate frame consists of 2″ square tubing, 3/16″ wall thickness.
All the ends of the aluminum tubing are miter cut to a 45 degree angle, then beveled prior to welding for maximum strength.
Aluminum is very lightweight compared to steel, not a huge amount of strength is needed at the weldments to ensure these gates will never bend or sag under their own weight.
Everything is welded together using an aluminum spoolgun, which is one of the more challenging welding process to become proficient with. With aluminum fabrication it is important to clean the metal prior to welding in order to achieve the highest strength. Any oils in the weld puddle can create porosity in the weld and poor fusion of the metals.
These Oklahoma driveway gates were custom designed and handcrafted by JDR Metal Art for an elk ranch near Oklahoma City. We built three 15′ single swing gates with an elk and turkey gate theme that goes great with the client’s ranch property.
Elk Gate Design
We began with the customer’s design concept. After several drafts we finalized a design that the customer was comfortable proceeding with.
Sawing & Plasma Cutting the Material
Once the design was complete we began cutting material. Here’s a clip of the square tubing frame being mitered on a horizontal band saw. Miter cut parts are significantly stronger when welded and transfer force more efficiently than overlapped & welded parts.
Plasma Cutting
In the picture below the 15′ sheet is loaded on the table, indexed and ready to plasma cut.
Turkeys
Below we’re cutting the turkeys. These silhouettes are cut from 15′ long, 3/16″ thick steel sheets.
Finished Plasma Cut Decorative Sheet #1
Here’s one of the 15′ sheets once plasma cutting has been completed.
From Plasma Table to Fabrication Table
Using a forklift to move the sheet to the welding table to be welded into a gate frame. It takes some creativity to make it happen with parts this size.
Fabrication of Panel #1 Complete
This gate panel is welded into the frame and ready for sandblast & powder coat.
Gate Installed in Oklahoma
This is the main entrance to the ranch. The client installed the gates after delivery. Two other gate panels are installed elsewhere on the ranch. Gate is hung from 6×6″ square tubing post and hinges are adjustable roller bearing hinges custom made by JDR Metal Art.
This was really a fun project to do…the customer was fantastic to work with every step of the way.
If you need a custom Oklahoma farm or ranch driveway gate be sure to get in touch with us! We make them any size, and design and deliver nationwide. We look forward to making your gate project a big success!
