Thanks for the compliment. I actually bought the balls from Kings Architectural Metals. I don't have the skills or equipment yet to produce the balls myself, but hope to soon. Around here, however, I'd probably have to buy them anyway due to their cheap cost. Still working on getting the masses to pay what they should. :)

Jake

I love this one, very different. When I was at the University of Chicago two weeks ago I saw some iron doors at the Smart Museum. They too had patterns with balls, very atomic age .Reminds me of these railings but different. I try to post some pictures soon. janet R>

sorry that I don't know the answer to this, but what is the 5" rule?
Cynthia

In order for the railing to pass inspection by the building and safety dept, no place on the railing should allow a 5" ball to pass through on a residential rail, or a 4" ball with commercial rails. If it passes through in a spot they can make you take the rail out and fix it. The ball diameters I believe are to imitate a baby's head. Thus preventing very small children from getting their head caught in a rail and falling through the rail at the same time. It may be safe, but it sure can make some design concepts difficult to achieve. I've had people bring in pictures of railings from magazines, and by the time I draw it up so it would pass inspection it doesn't look much like the original anymore.

Jake

I have the same problem....it really puts a damper on creating something out of the ordinary with a spacious feeling. As a parent I would never allow a small child on a stairway unsupervised!!!! I never baby proofed my home. My son Damon did hit his head on one of my metal tables. Ouch!
That hurt. He managed to survie my house and me! janet R.