Replies

1. 
   nathan_wegemer | Sep 13, 2001 06:21am | #1

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   maybe you should hire a craftsman, and have him work with cedar and copper.

   -sleep deprivation and lots of coffee help me.
   -brainstorming with creative people helps, too. especially if they'll be helping to build it.
   -browsing bookstores and viewing the work of artists like Andy Goldsworthy is valuable.
   -buy some cedar and copper and start working with it, and see what happens.
   -buy some more cedar and copper, and use the first thing you made as a workbench.
   -go to a local woodworkers gallery, and really look at the craft.
   -sit down on the ground where the fence will go, drink a beverage, and look.
   -go back and do it again.

1. 
   Joe_Hennessey | Sep 13, 2001 02:21pm | #2

   *So Nathan, you're not in a sharing mood this morning? Joe H

1. 
   nathan_wegemer | Sep 13, 2001 05:59pm | #3

   *http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=craftsman+style+fences&spell=1

1. 
   nathan_wegemer | Sep 14, 2001 01:03am | #4

   *also, check out the January '97 issue for a gem of a redwood and copper railing.nathan

1. 
   Bill_Brown-Gierga | Sep 18, 2001 06:07pm | #5

   *Two comments / ideas;After years of fighting rain in Oregon, I've discovered the best combination of what we call "The NorthWest Craftsman look" when working with cedar or redwood. All horizontal services should be sanded to at least 180 grit. Polish that surface (this will go a long ways towards fighting mildew spots and the dreaded "dirt accumulation on an oil based finish". Most, if not all, vertical surfaces are resawn. Finish all surfaces with Penofin. I haven't discovered any other product that even comes close to the color staying power of Penofin. And... don't use the lightest colors. My personal favorite mix is 50% "Transparent Redwood" and 50% "Red Cedar".Copper... see what you can come up with using copper plumbing pipe. It comes in some pretty large dimensions, and is relatively affordable (they'd charge you more if they realized you were going to use if for arts and crafts rather than inside a wall ). I'm picturing a top rail, between posts, that is an inch or so above the last cedar / redwood. I have made jewelery (necklace) holders for my wife, where I take a section of this pipe, sand it (important, to remove the protection layer, and prep it for maximum oxidizing), and put two coats of that copper rust chemical on it (turns it chaulky green). Then, I wait until a rain storm and put the pipe ouside. The acids in the rain mix with the chemicals and make this amazing calydascope of verigated browns, reds, greens and yellow swirled streaks on the pipe. About a day in the rain. Then I bring it in, dry it off, and work it with my hands and some light oil (like linseed ), and polish it with a wrag. The resulting finish is an incredible patina that looks very old. This is an easy and fun project, with very good results. - Bill

2. 
   Frank_Van_Tyne | Sep 18, 2001 06:07pm | #6

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   I need design ideas for craftman style fences. Please post pictures to inspire my stagnant mind. Cedar and copper gets bonus points.

   Thanks
   Frank