How Can I Make a Fire Grate?

Slide on work gloves, a dust mask and safety glasses to protect the skin, lungs and eyes.

Measure and cut two individual pieces of calorised ERW steel pipe to a length of 30 inches each. Use a hacksaw to cut the pipe. These two pieces will act as your legs. Remove metal burrs from the sawed ends with a flat metal scraper. Purchase calorised ERW steel pipe from your local home supply store or a ERW steel pipe distributor. Calorising a pipe ensures that it is fireproof.

Measure and cut three individual pieces of calorised ERW steel pipe to a length of 24 inches each. Use a hacksaw to cut the pipe. These three pieces will act as your arms that will hold the wood. Remove metal burrs from the sawed ends with a flat metal scraper.

Measure 6 inches in from the end of one of the 30-inch pipes. Mark this spot with a marker. Slide the pipe into the bender until the mark on the pipe is in line with the star on the bender. Pull the bender handle toward you until the 90-degree line on the bender is in line with the pipe. Repeat for the opposite end of the same pipe to finish the first leg.

Repeat the previous step for the second leg.

Measure 6 inches in from the end of one of the 24-inch pipes. Mark this spot with a marker. Slide the pipe into the bender until the mark on the pipe is in line with the star on the bender. Pull the bender handle toward you until the 45-degree line on the bender is in line with the pipe. Repeat for the opposite end of the same pipe to finish the first arm.

Repeat the previous step to complete the other two arms.

Preheat the soldering gun. Rub solder wire on the tip of the gun. Wipe the tip clean with a damp cloth.

Position one leg in its upright position with the 90-degree ends facing down. Secure the leg into a C-Clamp to hold it while you solder. Pick up one arm. Position the arm so its 45-degree ends are facing up. Lay the arm down onto the top of the leg where each pipe begins to bend.

Touch the solder wire to the point of connection between the two pipes. Touch the tip of the gun to the solder wire to melt the wire and bond the connection. Solder the entire perimeter of the connection.

Position the second arm in the middle of the leg. Adjust the arm so the area where it begins to bend touches the center of the leg. Solder the arm to the leg.

Position the third arm on the opposite end of the leg. Lay the arm down onto the top of the leg where each pipe begins to bend. Solder the arm to the leg.

Repeat Steps 9 through 12 to solder the second leg to the opposite ends of the arms.