Ferguson Fire & Fabrication in Baltimore: Custom Steel Work and Hard-to-Find Fasteners
Ferguson Fire & Fabrication is a hybrid metalworking shop and hardware supplier on the city's east side that serves contractors, fabricators, and homeowners who need either custom steel fabrication or fasteners and supplies that big-box stores don't stock.
What Ferguson Fire & Fabrication actually is
The business operates as two services under one roof: a full fabrication shop that builds custom steel structures, gates, railings, and brackets, and a retail counter stocked with industrial fasteners, welding supplies, and specialty hardware. The fabrication side handles everything from small residential repairs to larger commercial jobs; the retail side functions as a technical supplier rather than a general-purpose hardware store. Most customers arrive for one reason or the other, though contractors working on-site often need both simultaneously.
Fabrication services and retail pricing
Custom fabrication pricing is quoted per project based on complexity, material weight, and timeline. A wrought-iron gate or railing typically starts around $800 and scales with design detail and size; exact quotes require drawings or site photos. Rush jobs carry a 20-30 percent premium depending on current backlog. Retail fasteners run standard industrial rates: stainless steel bolts and nuts sell at roughly $0.40 to $1.50 per unit depending on size and material grade, and specialty items like lag bolts or marine-grade hardware cost proportionally more. Welding rod, cutting torch fuel, and grinding supplies are priced competitively against dedicated welding suppliers. Call or visit to confirm current pricing; material costs fluctuate.
How it compares to other Baltimore hardware options
Home Depot and Lowe's stock common fasteners in standard grades but maintain limited inventory of stainless, marine-grade, or oddball sizes that contractors and fabricators need regularly. Ace Hardware locations around Baltimore carry a broader fastener selection than big-box stores but still focus on residential stock. Ferguson Fire & Fabrication's retail counter prioritizes the fasteners professionals hunt for, making a trip worthwhile if you need something beyond standard galvanized. For custom fabrication, Baltimore has a handful of independent metal shops, but most are industrial fabricators geared toward high-volume commercial work; Ferguson's willingness to handle smaller residential jobs and quick turnarounds sets it apart. Local welding supply shops like Airgas and Lincoln Electric suppliers exist for bulk welding materials, but they do not typically fabricate on-site.
Who it suits and who it does not suit
This shop is ideal for contractors building custom railings or gates, homeowners repairing metal structures on older row houses, and anyone restocking fastener inventory for ongoing projects. It serves fabricators who need a quick metal part made to spec without committing to a large shop's minimum order. It does not suit someone running to grab a hammer or looking for common household supplies; there is no paint, no power tools for retail sale, no cleaning products. It is not a walk-in welding school or consultation hub; the staff can advise on fastener selection but will not troubleshoot a homeowner's DIY welding project at length.
What the first visit involves
Walk into the retail counter, describe what you need (fastener size, grade, or custom part), and the staff will either pull it from stock or confirm a fabrication timeline and price. If you need something not in inventory, lead times are typically one to two weeks for custom fabrication; they ask for a deposit, usually 50 percent of the quoted price. Bring a photo or sketch if possible. For fabrication-only jobs, bring exact measurements or have the shop visit the site if the piece is part of an existing structure.
Hours, parking, and logistics
The shop is open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday mornings by appointment. There is street parking and a small lot adjacent to the building. The shop is not easily accessible by public transit; driving is practical. Verify current hours by phone before a Saturday visit.
Ferguson Fire & Fabrication fills a specific gap in Baltimore's hardware and metal-work landscape, serving professionals and homeowners who exhaust the big-box supply chain and need either custom steel work or fasteners stocked nowhere else in the city.
