DIY Cast Iron Curtain Rod

Ornamental cast iron pieces are an elegant addition to any home decor and are a beautiful product of a handcrafted work of art. A curtain rod made of cast iron should have creative ends and hold curtains of fine fabric. Working with iron to create ornamental pieces for the home is a difficult task, but the end product will be worth the effort and time.

40 inches of hot-rolled mild steel
Propane forge
Tongs
Leather gloves
Anvil
Ball pein hammer
Bucket of room temperature water

Instructions

- 1
  Heat a propane forge to 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit.
- 2
  Heat 5 inches at one end of 30 inches of hot-rolled mild steel in the propane forge until it is yellow-white. This color steel shows the steel is heated to 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit. Always wear leather gloves and use tongs to hold the steel.
- 3
  Hit the yellow-white steel with a ball pein hammer. Begin at the spot where the color changes from brown steel to yellow-white over the thinnest end of the anvil, called the horn.
- 4
  Continue hitting the steel, bending it into a curled loop until the steel is no longer yellow-white. The steel will remain the correct working temperature for less than 30 seconds.
- 5
  Reheat the 5-inch end to yellow-white until the entire 5 inches has been curled into a continuous loop.
- 6
  Dip the heated end of the steel into a bucket of room temperature water to cool the metal.
- 7
  Repeat the creation of a curled loop on the other end of the steel to form a decorative cast iron curtain rod.

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