Bench Handles: Blacksmithing

I have built a bench for the womens soccer team this semester, and I decided that I wanted blacksmith the handles out of rebar and then drill press holes into the flattened part of the handles and then put screws in them for an industrial look. 

To make these handles I took old rebar that I found out in the junk yard and I cut it with the electric hand saw to the size that I wanted. Then I heated up the metal in the forge and flattened the end of the metal to create a flat surface and then I put a bend in the middle creating the handle part. Next I leveled out the flattened ends to create a flat area where the handle will lie against the cabinet. Finally I put hole starters so it made it easier to drill press holes. Then I drill pressed the holes and took a metal brush and shined the handle making it smooth to the touch and shinny to the eye, and cleaned up the edges with a hand saw. Then I took inch and a half screws and screwed them into the handle and cabinet creating the final look.