The Historic District

This year I'm opening up 2 basement windows that were boarded up. They needed security bars so I made my own. There are 8 of these windows so I made all the bars even though I won't get to the other windows for a while.

I didn't want to put anything on the outside so I made inside ones. I bought a bunch of 1/2 square tubing from a local steel supplier and then the rest of the items from a metal fence supplier online.

There are 3 different widths and all are the same height. Here I made a jig to assemble the basic rectangles.



Then a small jig to hold the picket ends on while being welded



And then a 3rd jig to locate the pickets



Here is a finished "gate" with a decorative center piece installed



And installed in the window that wasn't covered





I welded on lift off hinges and latches so I can use a padlock to secure them. The hinges will allow me to remove the bars if I need to open the windows. Some of the bars will hit some stuff like the boiler pipes and other basement crap.

No close ups pics as welding isn't one of my strong skills.

Nicely done!

Very nice!

Are you using a 110v welder or 220v? Stick or wire feed?

I ask because I have some small projects and have never welded....

110v mig (wire fed) welder.

Those are dandy covers! Well done.

I should say so! They look as though you paid some real coin for them to be custom made.

They were cheap. $70 for the steel and about $120 for the rest of the stuff for 8 assemblies.

Here's a shot of them in a finished window.

Matt, that looks incredible! Well done!

Looking great!