Material alone is about $250, then you need to find someone to shear it, probably about $200, but then all your edges will be shiny and the rest will have black mill-scale. You'll need to find someone to patina them, maybe $500. (that's what I would charge at least) I don't know of anybody out there in NY, but if you want to pay for shipping, I can do the job for you $950 pluss shipping.

You can always find me at www.studioromo.com

Laura,

If these are going to be for shelves that actually get used in a bar environment, they're gong to get wet and the rust on them will be transferred to whatever sits on them and then elsewhere. I'd suggest that you forgo the idea of rusted steel and simply use aluminum plate that has been painted to look like rusted steel. Any good painter can paint the plate to be indistinguishable from the real thing and you'll have a surface that won't be transferring rust to everything it touches.

Rust is the currently fashionable finish, but it is a maintenance nightmare unless it is sealed with a clear coating and then it doesn't look like real rust. A good faux rust painted finish will be far superior.

Rich Waugh

Hi Laura, any steel supplier will be able to quote and cut your material. Any material that is sheared is likely to get a bow put in it which will have to be bent or rolled out. The thicker the material the more difficult that is. What is the span between the supports for the shelves? I might suggest looking for a facility with laser cutting abilities. You could then have your shelves laser cut with no need to worry about bowing or cleaning up the edges. As for the patina, you could probably do that your self. It's not particularly difficult to make steel rust. If you have it sandblasted and spray it with vinegar, salt water, Hydrogen Peroxide, etc it will start rusting, or you could just leave it outside for a bit and let mother nature do it's thing. If you don't have it sandblasted and leave the mill scale on while you rust it, you'll end up with more of a marbling effect, but it will be far easier to clean. If you want someone to do it for ya, Janet is right there or I know of a contractor/handyman that has been making steel tables with a rustic look for a retail clothing outfit that could probably chase everything down as well.

Good luck and post picts of the finished bar if you can.

Jake

Jake Balcom
Mettle Design
Lincoln, NE

I was quite disheartened to read LGF's question. In the UK we accept that architects want the best information, knowledge and craftmanship from us who get our hands dirty, for the cheapest price: I imagined the craftsman was more respected in the US.

I would be glad to be proved wrong.

andrewkaysculpture.com

Hello Laurie,
I have a sheet of rusty steel that I can waterjet cut your shelves from. The shelves would cost $47.00 each.
However I think shipping will run about $200.00 for all 16.

Have you considered powdercoated aluminum? The material cost is higher than steel but the cutting charge would be less.
Best Regards,
Stephen Kishel
Thesculptor@stephenkishel.com