Staircase Manufacture
One of the fundamentals of Bisca is the seamless relationship between our skilled craftspeople and staircase design engineers. By working in close connection, whilst respecting each other’s specialist disciplines, both teams are able to achieve their full potential and reach the unique aspirations of each client we work with.
Our workshops are set up to fully embrace a wide range of disciplines and employ craftspeople with a passion for quality, attention to detail and an understanding and empathy for the process of creative design and engineering.
Hand Built by Craftspeople
The skills and experience of our workforce are instrumental to us achieving our 100% customer satisfaction rate. The unrivalled knowledge of our craftspeople allows them to marry century-old skills with modern technology, to create a truly unique commission every time.
Our workshop team comprises multi-skilled individuals who are fearlessly competent in a range of disciplines including metalwork, cabinet-making, blacksmithing, welding and spraying. To foster versatility however, there is no demarcation between roles. All are experienced in working with glass, timber, leather, metal, stone and many other materials.
The Forge
Bisca is proud to have its own blacksmith shop, as well as traditional fabrication equipment.
Hot metalwork is a serious discipline. Through working in close proximity to the forge, Bisca’s staircase design team understand what’s possible – always keen to push the boundaries. Bisca combines the use of steel, stainless steel, bronze and other semi-precious metals, with cutting-edge staircase and balustrade design, bringing a creative element which can be incorporated into any commission.
The shop houses a forge and three power hammers, ranging from a heavy duty 5 cwt (255kg) ex naval Massey hammer, to the medium sized 3 cwt (152kg) to a 1 cwt hammer used for detailed texture. Our in-house blacksmiths work the heated steel using one or more of the hammers depending on the design and finish required.
The 5cwt Massey power hammer is from circa 1920. Due to the way the motor is attached to the hammer, it is thought to originate from a merchant navy vessel. The hammer spent some time in the British Rail workshop in Norwich before being sold for scrap in 1998. Bought by Bisca’s founder Richard McLane, it was re-commissioned in 1999 to the original drawings.
