This 4-hour class is ideal for the beginner blacksmith with little to no experience. We’ll explore basic techniques first, then move on to forging hooks with a decorative twist. ABANA
Forge a simple holdfast from a steel rod. A holdfast utilizes a workbench hole (or anvil pritchel hole) to secure a workpiece. A holdfast has the advantage over a clamp in that it has a longer reach and can be quickly repositioned. If you have a workbench or anvil hole you'd like to use, bring its measurement to class.
This 4-hour class is ideal for the beginner blacksmith with little to no experience. We will start with the basics, and within the first hour students will be forging their own nails. From there, students will forge hooks with a decorative twist.
This class follows the lessons learned in Blacksmithing 101. Students will learn how to punch and drift to make a usable bottle opener.
Interested in blacksmithing but unsure how to start? Open Forge Night is the place for you! Every third Wednesday of the month during our blacksmithing season, come see demonstrations by expert blacksmith Steve Gurzler. Observing the demonstration is free and open to the public. If you want to try your hand at blacksmithing there is a $20 fee to cover the cost of materials. Safety precautions must be followed - including hard shoes with no open toes, long pants, goggles (supplied) and gloves (supplied).
This final intro to blacksmithing class uses all of the forging techniques taught in the previous classes to create a small coat or pot rack, with hand forged hooks riveted to the base. This is also an introduction to joinery, as students will learn how to rivet pieces together. Other techniques including pass-throughs and mortise and tenon will be demonstrated and discussed.
