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Category: Blogroll


victorian hinge

Posted on May 13th, by gbettenhausen in Blogroll, Recent Projects. No Comments

This reproduction victorian hinge is stunning – we are still patting ourselves on the back over this one.  The casting was all completed after the hinge was touched up by our sculptor.  There are actually bearings inserted within the barrel of the hinge with an over-sized stainless steel pin – bringing it totally up to date.



Project Management

Posted on December 5th, by gbettenhausen in Project Management. No Comments

We will be providing private access for some of our clients see proofs, pictures, and check job status. If your name if is shown under Project Managment, click one of the links and enter your password.


details about wood screws for hinges

Posted on October 12th, by gbettenhausen in Blogroll, Interesting Hardware. No Comments

The captioned dark screw is an original #11 hinge screw with a slotted head. The screw on the left is a solid brass #11 screw that replicates the hinge screws that Yale and Towne, Stanley and others used around the turn of the century.

On a preservation project or traditionally built new home – don’t get stuck with inexpensive Phillips screws. These are the details that make a restoration complete and a new home fine rather than average.

We have these screws custom made for our shop 50,000 at a time.



secret source

Posted on September 6th, by gbettenhausen in Blogroll, Media. No Comments

This photo was seen in This Old House Magazine listing Al Bar Wilmette Platers as a secret source for hardware finishing and restoration.



Hardware Molds

Posted on August 30th, by gbettenhausen in Blogroll. No Comments

These are some molds we have for our lost wax casting process. These molds must be kept in a climate controlled environment to protect them.



hardware shot

Posted on August 22nd, by gbettenhausen in Blogroll. No Comments

This is and example of some of the hardware on display in our showroom. It is always interesting to see the fascination that individuals have on touching and feeling the hardware. It constantly reminds us the of the importance of final finishing and quality.



prototype hardware custom flush pulls

Posted on August 21st, by gbettenhausen in Blogroll, Interesting Hardware, Recent Projects. No Comments

The original pull dates to 1890 and was made by Yale & Towne a premier hardware manufacturer back ‘in the day.’ We will be using these resin models to make hardware for multi-point marvin and pella doors, interior flush pulls, exterior hardware and more. Look for future entries on the lever that is being designed and the turned rosettes that will be on the 2nd and 3rd floors on this project.



Cremone Hardware Restoration

Posted on August 13th, by gbettenhausen in Blogroll, Interesting Hardware, Recent Projects. No Comments

These cremone bolts were restored on a local home in a polished brass finish. This type of hardware often was disposed of over the years. This hardware can always be repaired or restored. Even when there are missing parts don’t panic for they can be cast and machined to replicate the original.





a few of our latest projects...

We are dedicated to hand-crafted quality and want to show it off. Click on full-blog to see an archive of our abilities.