Replies

1. 
   Jamie_Buxton | May 24, 2003 09:12pm | #1

   Electrical conduit is pretty likely to rust.  That may be one of the reasons why those folks chose copper for their deck.

2. 
   WorkshopJon | May 24, 2003 09:51pm | #2

   Why not just use stainless tube. Compared to the labor on polishing, mtrl. cost should be insignificant.

   Jon

3. 
   calvin | May 24, 2003 10:18pm | #3

   If you use conduit you should not mess with the finish. Deep scratches can rust.  Cut ends will rust. 

   Get it with no painted writing.  Turn the stamped labeling down.  Have some outside for 13 yrs, no rust.  Be forewarned that horizontal applications like I show are not legal over 30" above grade in many municipalities, a climbing hazard for youngsters.  Also, you should use min. 1" in order to span any distance and even that might fail the over 200 lb. test.   Since you're doing this for a customer, you might want to spec. something else.  Best of luck.

   __________________________________________

   Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

   http://www.quittintime.com/

4. 
   MJR | May 25, 2003 01:41am | #4

    CHECK OUT DECKORATORS ON THE WEB AS THEY SELL PREFINISHED BALUSTERS AND A HORIZANTAL RAILING SYSTEM THAT COMES IN SEVERAL COLORS INCLUDING BRUSHED ALUMINUM..  MIKE

1. 
   Taycosmydog | May 25, 2003 03:37am | #6

   Thanks for all your input, I have a piece of copper pipe that I varathaned over a year ago as an experiment and it still looks like the day I did it and I was thinking that I would polish the conduit and varathane it in the same manner. as far as using stainless steel tubing I have to do 120 lineal feet of fence times however many horizontal rows of conduit or stainlesstubing that will start to get expensive. the other thing I'm now looking into is using 3/16 aircraft cable and turnbuckles etc.... we're trying to preserve a view and I'm trying not to spend all their money. They had an estimate of around $ 3,000.00 for an aluminium and glass one and a little less for a custom made wrought iron one.I'm hoping to do something a bit different here as these clients will let me play a bit and I want to do something not often seen but not seen because it doesn't work...ahh the delicate balance. thanks to all

   Oh ya! I should add they are more the "steel" look type of people .. most of the outdoor lights and planter boxes etc. around the yard are brushed aluminium and polished stainless so copper would probably not go in this yard.

   Edited 5/24/2003 8:45:36 PM ET by LSIVELL1

5. 
   archyII | May 25, 2003 03:35am | #5

   Use copper it looks great and is easy work with.  I did my parents deck and used 1 1/2" copper horizontal rails with mitered corners. I brazed the corners (cantilevered about 2'-6") and I can stand on the (220 pounds). 

6. 
   MrBill | May 25, 2003 04:54am | #7

   LS1,

   Do you really have an LS1 in a Chevelle ?? That being said, I am almost certain that there was an article in FHB within the last 2 years that described building a deck railing using electrical conduit. I have been giving away my old issues, but I would search the web site and see what you can come up with.

   BillK

1. 
   Taycosmydog | May 25, 2003 05:07am | #8

   Ohh No! It's Mr. Bill, It was a vette not a Chevelle I just spelldled it wrong, Thanks about the article(FHB issue 146) I did find that one but he painted his conduit black and also ran them on the verticle, I'm trying something a bit different. Thanks , Larry