Olde fence back up!

The old fence that surrounded the Oft and Gordon House was erected shortly after the house was built in 1910.  The rod-iron fence is truly a classic, being built in the 'blacksmith' era when fence parts were riveted instead of spot welded.   The front yard portion was removed in the late 1960's to widen the street and add a sidewalk.  Fence panels were stored in the barn for 40 some years. 

This summer those panels were pulled out and justified the purchase of a new MIG welder.  These types of project help justify my 'new toys' and I love to learn new skills.  I grew up on the farm using the old stick welder and actually still had the welder but the insulation on the leads had degraded and was not longer safe.  I took the plunge with a MIG and loooove that machine. 

A majority of steel posts had rusted off and had to have extensions welded on.  Clips hold the panels to the posts and their height is set by set screws.  These were rusted and I soaked them with WD-40.  AMAZINGLY ALL backed out successfully and not a single one broke off after setting 100 years!!! Today the fence is back up and looks beautiful.