We Make Exact Duplicate Porch Posts for Historic Preservation

     The porch posts pictured on the left were made as exact duplicates of the half-posts, already attached to the house. It's a good thing when and old house has a fair representation of it's original woodwork. The owner of the house provided photographs and a full-scale drawing of the profile of these posts.

     Here's a brief description of how to place an order:
     We can make an accurate reproduction of any porch post using a few key measurements and some clear photographs.
     What we need are these:

The overall length of the post.
The width of the square parts on the top and bottom.
The length of the turned part of the post.
Clear, close-up photographs of the figured parts of the turning.
One clear, full-length photograph of the post.

     If it's any easier for you, you may send us a drawing instead.

To order, or to request a quote for porch posts
contact Daniel Prendergast at:   woodminstrel@woodparts.com 
or write to:

WOODMINSTREL Woodparts
103 E. Commercial
P.O. Box 128                                      phone# 319-253-4800
Hillsboro, Iowa   52630


     Most of the posts we turn are glued up with 4 or 5 pieces of southern yellow pine. This is solid material, not finger-jointed. The grain is oriented for maximum strength and durability. The pine is planed for flatness and hand-scraped to give a true gluing surface. The pieces are glued together with exterior grade glue. We place them in an enormous vise, specially designed for the purpose. Then, they are joined under great pressure and allowed to cure.
     Sometimes a customer will ask for a post made from a single piece of western red cedar. We can do this, but there are trade-offs. A single piece of wood is more likely to check (crack) over the life of the post. There may be more filling of knotholes involved. Also, whereas western red cedar needn't be glued up, achieving a smooth finish takes more time and care. For these reasons, we recommend pine.