Out & About with Linda – October 2026

It all started with a networking meeting
at Hatboro’s Concordance Ferments.

You can read a bit more about them on page 18 in Heard Around. I took a seat and started talking to Faith Smith, aka Mrs. Phil Smith of Smitty’s Railings & Metalworks. If you’ve grown up in this area, you may know her as Faith Krysztoforsky. Like her husband, she’s a native. She and her husband just joined our family of satisfied advertisers.
But that’s not what got my ears in an upright position!! LOL!! We started talking and she gave me a bit of history of her husband and his family. Phil’s father was owner of the Texaco Gas Station on York and Terwood….now Old School Burger.    But that wasn’t the story either….

She shared that Phil is one of TEN children, ten Smith kids. I heard that and said to myself THIS is my October story.

Yup, Phil Smith is one of ten. He’s the youngest. The sibling spread is about 14 years, seven boys and three girls. And for the most part they all still live in the Hatboro, Warminster, Willow Grove area where they grew up. In fact, a niece now owns and lives in his childhood home. And five family members, siblings and nieces/nephews live nearby in a single block area. My “chuckle” of the month is, this is a family who has their own zip code. I’m jealous.

Interestingly, Phil started his career in metal working following the footsteps of an older brother who was working for William Henry Ornamental Ironworks, a longtime metalworking company in Willow Grove. Turns out all the brothers worked in welding, mechanics, ironworks. Phil started working there early on and the rest is history.

Phil eventually purchased the William Henry shop and renamed it Smitty’s, a salute to his “Smith” name. Personally, I can’t think of a more apropos name for a metalworking establishment. It fits perfectly!!!

We talked about what kept him in the industry. His answer was direct and quick. “I like working with people and keeping them safe.” The “safe” part of the response was surprising. “A lot of the people who call are needing railings because they’ve aged and turn to railings in their home and outside for precautions.” His kind heart was showing. “For many of my clients, women/widows in particular, this is the first house purchase they’re making. And they’re doing it to feel more safe and secure walking pathways, going up/down steps, etc.”

He had many railings on display, almost all American made. I asked what makes a railing better than not.    “You’ll want a solid post, not hollow tube. And the paint should be powder coated not spray painted. The metal or decorative door might not be solid because of the weight it would add. But the posts definitely need to be solid. Anything different could allow water in the tubes and that would create a problem.”

We talked if the industry has changed over his thirty plus years….He admitted that the computer has entered the field, but he remains pretty much old school and relies on his own designs and specs when working with clients. I found it interesting to learn that he hand molds the gates or railings….that the metal is cold and is so pliable that it can be stretched and worked with cold. I also felt that an artistic flare couldn’t hurt…. and a way with numbers and calculations would assist in most jobs.

Would he recommend this field to a young person? “Definitely. Want to help people? Like working with people? Have a sense of design? There’s a definite market for railings and metalworks, whether it’s more decorative for the outside or in, or whether it’s for a safety issue, there’s a market.”

So, I was still marveling at Phil’s family of ten siblings, when he    offered another bit of information… Apparently, the Smith “clan” married into another area “clan”… the Knox family with thirteen (13) children! Yup! Can you imagine gathering under one or two, or three roofs, 23 siblings AND nieces AND nephews and soon to be grandchildren and MORE?? Frankly, I was so overwhelmed and delighted, by these wonderful family numbers, I’m only hoping I got my “story” accurate!!!

So, if you’re looking for wonderful metalwork that will serve as a helpmate or trelllis for your climbing flowers. If you’re looking for a railing to provide support on those shaky corners. If you need to hold on to something as you walk on that long driveway path. And if you’re looking for the unusual and unique in decorative metalwork for a special wall of focus, turn to Phil Smith and his Smitty’s Railings & Metalworks. He comes to you experienced and wanting to help you feel safe. And I have a feeling, growing up with all those siblings, he’s probably quite experienced in staying safe and sound! What do you think? 

Smitty’s Railings & Metalworks
Willow Grove
215-659-1887