Whats happening at Torchcraft....

Simple design that looks great mounted on a large rock at the entrance.   Cut from 3/16", sand blasted and powder coated black.  Installed by the owner using stainless steel hardware.  

A simple and classic design cut from 3/16". 

This is a really neat piece that was made for a customer in California.  They are a music group that travels around in the California area playing older Rock-N-Roll. He needed the sign to fit within a frame that he had made by a local fab shop. The idea is that it's moble and can easily be moved from one preformance to next. 

"Just a short note to say thanks again. The Songbirds Sign was a great hit at the senior facility where they play. Put a lot of smiles on a lot of faces. Your help in accomplishing this was greatly appreciated"

This project turned out great, despite the low quality image I have.  I fabricated the gate, side panels and art work. To add a touch of personalization, I took a somewhat side profile of my customer and used him in place of the Davy Crockett cut out featured in the top center of the sign.  The shape of the gate resembles the Alamo and the other artwork represents the wildlife and landscape found on the ranch. Pics below are screen shots from the design phase of this project.

**All pieces and rock colums were installed by a 3rd party company.

This was a retirement gift for a customer who was retiring from the Corpus Christi divions in his company. Cut from 1/8". 

These ranch gate insert was cut from 3/16" steel, then welded in place by the owner.

Custom pieces that were cut for a friend who makes custom tables with metal base with mesquite tops. 

Custom fireplace screen.  The art was cut from 3/16" steel, frame was make from square tubing and a heavy wire screen stretched arcoss. 

Just a cool looking buck logo.

A customer came to me and aked if I could create something out of an old windmill from the family ranch.  I framed out the original piece, then attached it to a circular farm sign to simulate a windmill shape. 

I love these kinds of projects.  A customer asked me if I could replicate their Grandad from the side profile they had.  What a great way to remember a special someone.

A customer aked me to create some western art that can be welded to a table that he is making that will feature a beautiful mesquite top.  I'll up date with pics once the table is complete.  Both pieces are cut from 3/16" steel.

This Twin Oaks Estates sign was cut from 3/16" plate.  4 small tabs were welded on the back side so that it can be bolted to some wooden uprights on the left and right side.  It was finished off with a glossy green powder coat.

Barbwire circling around the Lone Star state of Texas. The land owners brand and an established date.  Mounting holes are nested in the barbwire for easy mounting. 

Dandee Acres is located in Tennessee.  This farm sign was cut from 3/16" steel, sand blasted and finished with a black finish that will last many years. 

Raine Creek Ranch Sign in west Texas was cut from 3/16" steel, sand blasted and powder coated.  Mounting holes were provided so the sign could be easily mounting onto the limestone rock at the ranch entrance.  

Edgen Murray (Oil Field & Natural Gas Industry) asked me to recreate their logo for one of their South Texas locations.  The metal was cut from 1/8" steel and coated with a tough automotive paint to withstand the blazing hot Texas sun.

Barn sign, cut from 1/8" steel, mounting holes provided.  Shipped to South Carolina.

Here is a simple tractor hat rack design that was cut from 3/16 plate, painted then hooks were added for hat or coat hanging. 

This South Texas gate sign was cut from 1/8" steel to help keep weight on the gate down a bit. 

Another Colorado sign that I did a while back but I'm just getting the picture posted.  It's cut from 3/16" steel plate and installed by the customer.

4D Big Horn Ranch is located in Colorado.  Both signs were cut from 3/16" thick metal and installed by the customer.  The overhead entrance sign in the background is kind of hard to make out so I'm including a pic of the layout that I created for the customer while in the design stage.

JNL Ranch is located on the Frio River just outside of Leakey, TX.  If you're ever looking for a beautiful place to relax with the family on the Frio River be sure to look them up. 

This ranch gate entrance sign was cut from 1/8" steel and mounted to their gate.

https://www.JNLRanch.com/

"Hi Jerry, well we finally built our entry gate up to our heaven. The sign you had previously constructed so very well for us initially hung out by our roadway gate. But now it is moved closer to our home at the foot of our advent up to our cabin. Again, thanks so very much. The sign is still like new and will have many looks from our visitors. Great work!!  Take care my friend."

Blackland Prairie Ranch located jin the Central TX area. I worked with the customer to make sure that all of the wildlife and plants displayed on the sign are native to the land that her ranch sits on.  2 piece metal sign cut from 3/16" steel.

36" tall Scottish Thistle was cut from 1/8" plate, sand blasted and powder coated in a texture black.  I've never seen one of these before this project but it sure is a beautiful creation.

A customer came to me with an idea for her brother.  He was 70 years old and had always wanted to do a 500 mile hike across Spain.  He made it, and she brought me a picture of him on the trail.  I was able to pull a silhouette of him from the pic and create this metal sign to last a life time. 

Here is a sign that I did for a customer in which I didn't know the full story behind the name.  Below is from my customer after the metal sign was installed.

"Hi Jerry,

Sorry for the delay in getting back with you.  Crazy week or so.  I had the sign installed last Thursday in time for our housewarming party on Saturday.   Not only was my wife blown away by how amazing it looks (she was moved to tears), we also received a lot of compliments on how cool it is from our friends at the party..........

A Customer from Austin purchased a ranch South of Uvalde and wanted a custom overhead entrance. The man resting under the tree was copied from a photograph of the owner. The rabbit represents a life lesson that was passed on to him. “It’s no fun when the bunny has the gun”.......

Rockin Armadillo

I don't usually tackle these kinds of projects but a previous customer from the Rockin Armadillo Ranch asked me if I could make a 3D Armadillo like his logo for his ranch.  First I framed out the basic shape with square tubing, then added the exterior pieces made up of 1/8" and 3/16" thick plate.  Finally it was sand blasted and powder coated.   I sure got a lot of looks while pulling this down the road.....

Here is a great looking sign for a farm in Virgina. 36 inch diameter circle, cut from 3/16" plate with a chain link welded on to each side to hang the sign from.    

This photo is an update from a previous post back in May, 2017.  A customer in Colorado had me make the overhead entrance sign for is Ranch. He recently asked me to design and cut the artwork to be added to his gates.  It looks like the project is about finished up and it looks absolutely beautiful.

See previous post here and read about how this ranch was named "Sure Shot Ranch".

Previously I posted a pic of the Thompson Hunting Lodge sign that was freshly cut.  They sent me a pic of the installed sign and I'm thrilled about how nicely their entrance looks.

See the previous post here.

Rockin Armadillo ranch sign was cut from 3/16" plate steel, finished in black paint and installed on a South Texas Ranch. 

Jesusa Rose with a hungry humming bird.  Freshly cut from 3/16" inch plate steel, ready for finish work.

I think I made this sign over 20 years ago.  My customer brought it back to me recently and asked if I could clean it up with a fresh paint job.  What I like to call a "liquid overhaul". 

J & C Ranch

Nice classic design for the NC Ranch.  Cut from 3/16" plate steel. 

The Redneck Riviera (Cast and Stay) is a great place to stay when your looking to unwind along the Baffin Bay.  Great accomodations and access to a 300 foot lighted pier is just outside the back door.  Boat ramp is just around the corner.

Cast and Stay lodge in Riviera, TX 

This sign was cut from 3/16" plate and painted in a bold red to stand out against the weather wood overlooking the bay.

Hawk Creek Farm is located in the Houston Area.  The gate frame was constructed with 2 inch square tubing, backed with cattle panel and the metal art is cut from 3/16" plate steel.

Mcbroom Farms ordered this metal sign cut from 3/16" plate.  Mounting holes have been drilled, it just needs a few coats of piant and to be shipped off.. I hope to get a picture from the owners once its been installed.

Riverwood Entrance sign was cut from 3/16" and powder coated with a dark bronze. 

A gal called me and asked me to make a gift for her father who ownes the Giddings Tilapia Fish Farm. Together we came up with this design.  Cut from 3/16" plate, finished with an industrial black paint. 

Here is a nice Colorado mountain scene  address sign that I made for a customer in Colorado.  Each corner has a hole for easy mounting with a basic screw.  Cut from 3/16" plate.

This is one of my favorite roping scenes.  This one is cut from 3/16" plate. I cut the metal art scene and my customer welded it into the gate that he was building. 

Thompson Hunting Lodge sign, cut from 3/16 plate steel. Still hot from the torch. 

See the installed photo here.

I love the way this sign reflects the mountain range located on this ranch in California. It measures 8 foot wide and cut from a heavy duty 3/16" plate, it should last a lifetime and then some. 

Simple way to dress up your entrance gate.  Leaping Labrador sign mounted on a standard entry gate

Triple Ranch is this way!  Great way to show your guest how to get to your ranch along with the game that can be found there. 

Farm sign showing how long they have been established wih an Oak tree showcasing the sign. Cut from 3/16" plate steel that will last a lifetime. 

A simple cowboy roping a longhorn cut out of 3/16" plate and painted black.  

A smaller sized sign th

Freshly cut from 3/16" plate steel.  

This lettering is for a Catholic Church just a few miles away in Poteet, TX. I always love the black metal contrasting against the white limestone. 

A side note, when mounting letters like this you, need to be cautious of how the shadows between the metal letters and white rock might affect your ability to read the letters at a distance. The best way to fix this is mount the letters close to the rock or whatever your mounting them to so that a shadow can't get behind the letters very easily.  Looks like the installer did a good job on this install. 

I cut this sign back in July and have been waiting to post the pic since it was a wedding gift.  Can't risk ruining the surprise.  A customer contacted me about cutting out a silhouette of this couple forming a heart with their hands to be given as a wedding gift.  It came out great and I really enjoy doing these unique items for people.  This sign was shipped out to San Diego, CA.   Click the "Continue Reading" link to see the image the customer first sent me.

Seems like just a few days after shipping this overhead ranch sign off to Missouri, I recieved these pics of the install. They certainly wasted no time getting their ranch sign installed.  As usual, it is cut from 3/16" plate and braced on the back side for added strength.

Here is a simple wedding gift for a couple that was cut from 3/16" plate steel.  It should last them a lifetime. 

A friend who owns a gate and entrance business orderd some art to install on one of their custom gate builds.   I frequently get orders like this where someone would like to add some art or lettering to an existing gate or they are having a gate built but need some art or lettering to be added. This piece will be welded in place, then painted. 

Grace Bible Chapel needed some new lettering on their entrance sign. The letters were cut from 3/16" new plate steel and painted with an industral black paint. 

This piece was ordered to go above the family fireplace. It is a Family Crest for Gallbraith name and says "Stronger When Oppressed".
It was cut from 3/16" new plate steel and will be painted dark bronze.

Click "Continue Reading" link to see picture of this piece mounted above the fireplace.

This 20 foot Oak Tree spans across this ranch gate and stands 9 foot tall.  It is a fairly complex design with so much detail in the many branchs and leaves.  The tree is cut from 3/16" plate and welded to the gate which I also made.  The owner had a crew install the gate on location.

This unique overhead ranch sign belongs to the new ower of a ranch near George West, TX. The customer furnised his logo of a rocking armadillo which was cut from 3/16" plate steel.  Braces on the back side with strap steel for added strength.   

Stoddard Construction of San Antonio has been rebuilding some of the Freer ISD buildings.  They wanted to give the school district this logo as a token of their appreciation for the contract.  The circle is 10 gauge steel and 60" in diameter.  The Buckaroo is cut from 3/16 plate.  Colors are school colors.

The Oaks At Heavenly is a beautiful wedding venue in Helotes, TX.  They needed to block a view on their property and requested a metal panel with a reverse Oak tree cut out.  The 3 panels that make up the tree measure 7 foot tall by 10 foot wide.  They also added a blank panel that forms a 90 degee turn that measures 7 foot tall by 8 foot wide.  The panels are finished in a rust colored paint and mounted to 4x4 inch square tubing post.  The art features 2 doves "leaving the nest" and symbolizes new "Love Connections".  The tree panels will also feature back lighting for a wonderful glow in the evenings. This project turned out beautiful and I'm glad that I got to be a part of it. 

A close friend wanted to give her husband a gift for their 50th wedding annivesary. This plaque hangs above their fireplace mantle and displays the four family brands that they have used in the past and present.  The plaque is cut from 10 guage (1/8") to keep weight down and painted with a Rustoleum "Hammered" finish.

Vet. clinic in Jacksonville, Florida originally had me make his logo for the outside of the clinic building but recently requested a similar piece be made for the inside.  Each piece is welded to the round circle and ground to a shinny finish.  Clear coated for protection. 

The art that is shown has been sand blasted and painted with a two part paint.  The pieces have 3/8" threaded bolts welded to the back side and anchored into the masonry wall.  The Texas painted in Texas flag colors is 36" wide.  Cut out of 3/16" plate steel.  Beautiful South Texas entrance and I am proud to be part of it. 

This is about the best story to go with any picture that I have ever posted on this blog.  The customer called me and wanted a sign for his ranch in Colorado.  It seems that he and his partner were trying to come to a buy out price on the ranch that they co-owned.  It was suggested that they have a shoot off using their beloved lever action rifles.  The partner that now owns the ranch achieved his lower buy out price with a "Sure Shot". Now that is the Cowboy way to settle an argument

When I was young, a good friend and his dad would always have a shoot off in the back yard to see who had to wash dishes when mom and sister were not home.  They always shot until they had a tie.....so the dirty dishes where still there when mom and sis returned.  That is the Texas Way!

I had an order from Florida for a marlin to be placed above the outdoor grill.  Upon receiving the unpainted fish, the customer found a local artist who ground the metal down to a shinny finish and then airbrushed the detail of the fish. Once the colors were added, several coats of clear coat where applied.  The finished product is amazing.

Customer ordered a two door fireplace screen to mount in the opening he has for his fireplace.  Doors are made from 1' square tubing with 1"x3/16" flat bar rolled in scrolls.  A heavy screen wire is welded on the back side of the doors.  The frame was made first and the customer tried the frame in the opening to mark the holes for mounting and verify the size was correct.  The top picture is unpainted in my shop and the second is furnished by the customer after he installed it.

Little girl loves wolves and this wall rack with hooks was ordered for her.  The piece is unpainted.  Has chrome hooks for hanging whatever.  Cut from 3/16" plate.

Gift for young boy who is playing baseball.  This will give him a place to hang his baseball items. Cut from 3/16" and hooks are made from chrome plated steel.  This item has not been painted. 

Had a request for a saquaro cactus from a new Texan from California.  This cactus requires very little water and had a Texas roadrunner enjoying the small shade.  Welcome to Texas!

Windy Hill Ranch is owned by some very nice Lousana people who own and operate a shimping business.  They bought this East Texas ranch and did a great job of building a nice entrance with the help of Torchcraft.  Who says Cajuns don't have good taste?

There is a new barn in the brush country with some art on the side that really looks good.  The customer asked for part of the pieces to be tempered and then they were painted and clear coated with a powder coating finish.  Very nice effect.  Very nice customer to work with. 

This recent sign was sent to Colorado and is hanging on some really nice large wooden poles.  Cut from 3/16" plate and is about 10 feet wide. 

This is not a recent creation.  I made this cross quite some time ago and noticed the picture the other day so I decided to publish it again.  This cross was copied from a photograph of a cross that the Oblates had erected in France in the 1800's.  It now overlooks the lake at a new Catholic church in Ausin, Texas.

Sign made for church yard. 

This is just something that I made recenty and I am not finished with it.  I plan on placing some glass lamp lens along the front to hold candles.  For now, I am publishing the coyote  The arch is .75" square tubing that has been rolled in an arch.  Bottom is same tubing.

This is a new twist.  Customer built a 5 foot box out of 3/16" plate steel.  I cut the name in the face of the box and he has installed lights inside the box so the name is visible at night.  Very nice approach to a ranch entrance. 

New gate needs a new sign.  Pin Oak tree is the silhouette for the Oak Crest sign,  Cut from 1/8" plate and painted brown.