Whats happening at Torchcraft....

Here is a simple wedding gift for a couple that was cut from 3/16" plate steel.  It should last them a lifetime. 

A friend who owns a gate and entrance business orderd some art to install on one of their custom gate builds.   I frequently get orders like this where someone would like to add some art or lettering to an existing gate or they are having a gate built but need some art or lettering to be added. This piece will be welded in place, then painted. 

Grace Bible Chapel needed some new lettering on their entrance sign. The letters were cut from 3/16" new plate steel and painted with an industral black paint. 

This piece was ordered to go above the family fireplace. It is a Family Crest for Gallbraith name and says "Stronger When Oppressed".
It was cut from 3/16" new plate steel and will be painted dark bronze.

Click "Continue Reading" link to see picture of this piece mounted above the fireplace.

This 20 foot Oak Tree spans across this ranch gate and stands 9 foot tall.  It is a fairly complex design with so much detail in the many branchs and leaves.  The tree is cut from 3/16" plate and welded to the gate which I also made.  The owner had a crew install the gate on location.

This unique overhead ranch sign belongs to the new ower of a ranch near George West, TX. The customer furnised his logo of a rocking armadillo which was cut from 3/16" plate steel.  Braces on the back side with strap steel for added strength.   

Stoddard Construction of San Antonio has been rebuilding some of the Freer ISD buildings.  They wanted to give the school district this logo as a token of their appreciation for the contract.  The circle is 10 gauge steel and 60" in diameter.  The Buckaroo is cut from 3/16 plate.  Colors are school colors.

The Oaks At Heavenly is a beautiful wedding venue in Helotes, TX.  They needed to block a view on their property and requested a metal panel with a reverse Oak tree cut out.  The 3 panels that make up the tree measure 7 foot tall by 10 foot wide.  They also added a blank panel that forms a 90 degee turn that measures 7 foot tall by 8 foot wide.  The panels are finished in a rust colored paint and mounted to 4x4 inch square tubing post.  The art features 2 doves "leaving the nest" and symbolizes new "Love Connections".  The tree panels will also feature back lighting for a wonderful glow in the evenings. This project turned out beautiful and I'm glad that I got to be a part of it. 

A close friend wanted to give her husband a gift for their 50th wedding annivesary. This plaque hangs above their fireplace mantle and displays the four family brands that they have used in the past and present.  The plaque is cut from 10 guage (1/8") to keep weight down and painted with a Rustoleum "Hammered" finish.

Vet. clinic in Jacksonville, Florida originally had me make his logo for the outside of the clinic building but recently requested a similar piece be made for the inside.  Each piece is welded to the round circle and ground to a shinny finish.  Clear coated for protection. 

The art that is shown has been sand blasted and painted with a two part paint.  The pieces have 3/8" threaded bolts welded to the back side and anchored into the masonry wall.  The Texas painted in Texas flag colors is 36" wide.  Cut out of 3/16" plate steel.  Beautiful South Texas entrance and I am proud to be part of it. 

This is about the best story to go with any picture that I have ever posted on this blog.  The customer called me and wanted a sign for his ranch in Colorado.  It seems that he and his partner were trying to come to a buy out price on the ranch that they co-owned.  It was suggested that they have a shoot off using their beloved lever action rifles.  The partner that now owns the ranch achieved his lower buy out price with a "Sure Shot". Now that is the Cowboy way to settle an argument

When I was young, a good friend and his dad would always have a shoot off in the back yard to see who had to wash dishes when mom and sister were not home.  They always shot until they had a tie.....so the dirty dishes where still there when mom and sis returned.  That is the Texas Way!

I had an order from Florida for a marlin to be placed above the outdoor grill.  Upon receiving the unpainted fish, the customer found a local artist who ground the metal down to a shinny finish and then airbrushed the detail of the fish. Once the colors were added, several coats of clear coat where applied.  The finished product is amazing.

Customer ordered a two door fireplace screen to mount in the opening he has for his fireplace.  Doors are made from 1' square tubing with 1"x3/16" flat bar rolled in scrolls.  A heavy screen wire is welded on the back side of the doors.  The frame was made first and the customer tried the frame in the opening to mark the holes for mounting and verify the size was correct.  The top picture is unpainted in my shop and the second is furnished by the customer after he installed it.

Little girl loves wolves and this wall rack with hooks was ordered for her.  The piece is unpainted.  Has chrome hooks for hanging whatever.  Cut from 3/16" plate.

Gift for young boy who is playing baseball.  This will give him a place to hang his baseball items. Cut from 3/16" and hooks are made from chrome plated steel.  This item has not been painted. 

Had a request for a saquaro cactus from a new Texan from California.  This cactus requires very little water and had a Texas roadrunner enjoying the small shade.  Welcome to Texas!

Windy Hill Ranch is owned by some very nice Lousana people who own and operate a shimping business.  They bought this East Texas ranch and did a great job of building a nice entrance with the help of Torchcraft.  Who says Cajuns don't have good taste?

There is a new barn in the brush country with some art on the side that really looks good.  The customer asked for part of the pieces to be tempered and then they were painted and clear coated with a powder coating finish.  Very nice effect.  Very nice customer to work with. 

This recent sign was sent to Colorado and is hanging on some really nice large wooden poles.  Cut from 3/16" plate and is about 10 feet wide. 

This is not a recent creation.  I made this cross quite some time ago and noticed the picture the other day so I decided to publish it again.  This cross was copied from a photograph of a cross that the Oblates had erected in France in the 1800's.  It now overlooks the lake at a new Catholic church in Ausin, Texas.

Sign made for church yard. 

This is just something that I made recenty and I am not finished with it.  I plan on placing some glass lamp lens along the front to hold candles.  For now, I am publishing the coyote  The arch is .75" square tubing that has been rolled in an arch.  Bottom is same tubing.

This is a new twist.  Customer built a 5 foot box out of 3/16" plate steel.  I cut the name in the face of the box and he has installed lights inside the box so the name is visible at night.  Very nice approach to a ranch entrance. 

New gate needs a new sign.  Pin Oak tree is the silhouette for the Oak Crest sign,  Cut from 1/8" plate and painted brown.

There is a new ranch owner in Los Angeles, Texas who is having a nice time with her new property.  The barn will have the ranch name and other art displayed on the wall.  All cut from 1/8" plate and heat tempered.  The customer is taking the pieces to have them powder coated with a clear coat.  The name and location will be powder coated in black.

Customer is having a gate made and ordered a Kokopelli to be placed in the middle of the gate.  Piece is cut from 1/8" plate and oval is made from 1/8" x 1" flate bar. 

Customer designed a trailer sign  cut from 1/8" plate.  Circle is a 36" diameter.  Left unpained for a rust finish. 

This is a very special sign for a a very special lady in Hondo, Texas. The sign was originally designed by her late husband.  The sign is really unique and painted in the cream color makes it stand out very well. 

This is number three for a customer who loves to fish.  First was a 4 foot tall sail fish, then a blue marlin and now the white marlin.  All are the same size and finised in the heat tempered finish with automotive clear coat.