large brass knobs for entry
Wow! These large raw parts are in the process of turning into door knobs. The brass bar used for this was over 200 pounds and the knobs will be over 4″ in diameter. Check back soon for the final photos of the knobs.
glass door pulls re-nickel plated
Check out the results from these entry pulls on a store in Chicago that were re-plated in nickel. The best part is that we do most of our exterior door refinishing work in the same day. So if you are local be sure to call ahead to schedule a time (if you are not UPS-RED or FEDEX is a great option).
raw brass parts | door knob replication
These pieces of brass are the in process photos of several knobs we are making for exterior doors. The knobs are being cut from solid brass bar stock and will be finished and allowed to age on the new doors.
historic hinge replication | cast bronze
These hinges are part of a large restoration project we are currently working on. The base material is solid bronze. When the new hinges are completed they will contain an integrated needle bearing that will be concealed and allow for a smooth non-wearing action.
ice box latch concept
This is a kicked up version of a historic ice box latch. The base plate will extend the entire length of the body of the latch. Bevel details will be incorporated to both the hinge as well as the latch so that both relate as part of a suite of hardware. Silver plated both the latch and hinge will look stunning.
surface mount square barrel hinge
This hinge is designed to surface mount and will have a square barrel (vs round) to give it a clean contemporary feel. The two outside edges will have a soft bevel that will coordinate with the contemporary rendition of the ice box latch. The screws will be flat head and slotted.
gropious levers | multi-point prep
These gropious levers were fabricated for use on Marvin exterior doors. We are almost completed with the installation on this home in Lake Forest, Illinois.
solid brass rim locks
This is a new rim lock that will be installed on exterior doors for a project on the east coast. This rim lock has the look of old while having the convenience of a keyed cylinder and egress that many projects today require. We can provide this lock in any finish (un-lacquered brass shown) including a waxed silver finish.
welcome new chicago area sales rep
We have a new Chicago area sales rep. serving our Wilmette Hardware line. Marc Burkes will be visiting with architects and designers to discuss our hardware product line. You can see what Marc has with him at www.marcsbag.com and schedule a meeting (under where is marc?).
concept turn pc and egress
Sometimes it starts from a simple sketch like this one and continues to a 3D rendering. Then we create either a prototype out of plastic (in this case because the parts are simple they will be made in brass). Our team will then finish these pieces so that the designer and architect can review and approve for our production run.
zinc and german siver sink details
We are in the process of making a zinc counter for a powder room in Chicago. This is a photo sent in by a friend of a powder room sink and backsplash. Look for more photos of samples and installations.
gropious levers | polished nickel
These gropious levers are finished in a highly polished nickel. The elbows are all machined and not cast providing extremely detailed and crisp lines. They will be installed in an apartment in Chicago.
wilmette hardware history | for press release 02-2010
walter baron, esq., an attorney who practiced in chicago, illinois provided funding for mr. burt allen to start a restoration and plating company in winnetka, illinois. al bar was founded and these two gentleman later merged with wilmette electroplaters (founded in 1937). they moved to our current location in the 1940’s. since then we have acquired gilbertson’s of chicago, a fine chicago silversmith.
with these combined talents and a desire for both quality and detailed workmanship wilmette hardware was established. our finishing is completed by hand – the old way – all under one roof in our facilities in wilmette, illinois. this allows for much better depth and quality of the finishes you see in our hardware.
wilmette hardware steps forward under the direction of gregory bettenhausen and a team of craftsmen. greg earned his bachelors degree in business finance from liberty university in lynchburg, virginia and his mba from lynchburg college in virginia.
we at al bar wilmette & wilmette hardware look forward to including your project in our history.
custom shower door pulls
Wilmette Hardware has several shower door pulls to choose from – we are working on a version of our Lowell pull in a shower door pull and towel bar now (check back soon for the completed pulls). We also can design and fabricate custom pulls to coordinate with your architectural hardware or fixtures.
power transfer | EPT-10
The EPT-10 power transfer allows a client with a more traditional architectural hardware schedule to get the functionality of an electric lock (vs an electric strike) in a new or historic door. The exterior lock and strike appear as they would on any other exterior door as the latch release is actually built into the lock.
