Always a popular class, Create Your Own Roasting Fork is geared towards the novice blacksmith. Blacksmith Steve Gurzler will teach basic blacksmithing skills while the students work to create a roasting fork for marshmallows or maybe even bratwurst. Bring something to roast at the end of the day with your finished product!
Take your next hike or walk around the corner with a unique hand-crafted walking stick. Frank will guide you through the process of taking a piece of ironwood and transforming it into a walking stick that will last a lifetime. The inlaid compass will help ensure you don't lose your way on the trail! Makes a wonderful gift for the hikers in your life!
In 1903, the first Adirondack chair was built in the town of Westport, N.Y. and has since taken the world by storm. Its contoured seat and back, along with its wide arms make it the perfect chair for lounging in after a hard day's work. You will start with surfaced pine, cut the pieces, shape them on a router table, sand them and then assemble your own Adirondack chair.
This copper ornament class will allow you to make your choice of 2 of the 3 items advertised. The process will have you cutting out the pieces, forming and texturing on an anvil. You will also be using a small torch as part of the texturing process, and soldering. The maple leaf ornament will have a "glass drop" soldered into the center. The mushroom can be used to hold your jewelry, earrings, and rings. The cap can be lifted off to slide rings on the stem. The stem is epoxied to a piece of bluestone serving as the base. The fern is a wall ornament that can be hung or laid in a windowsill. The fern is 10 inches tall, the maple leaf is 5 inches by 5 inches and the mushroom is 5 inches tall.
This course will introduce students to the traditional craft of chip carving - a type of woodcarving in which a small knife is used to incise decorative floral and geometric designs into basswood or butternut. The design is created by the removal of small pieces (chips) of the wood. Chip carving is an ancient, traditional craft. Chip carved plates, jewelry and keepsake boxes, trays, breadboards, furniture and other items can make wonderful gifts and also decorate the home with traditional motifs. Some previous carving experience is helpful, but not necessary. Students will learn to carve a variety of practice designs already drawn on a board and may complete a round ornament as well.
In 1903, the first Adirondack chair was built in the town of Westport, N.Y. and has since taken the world by storm. Its contoured seat and back, along with its wide arms make it the perfect chair for lounging in after a hard day's work. You will start with surfaced pine, cut the pieces, shape them on a router table, sand them and then assemble your own Adirondack chair.
The student will hand forge a small Viking Knife, also called a blacksmith knife. The knife is a one piece, all metal design with an integral handel. The clade will be heat treated, ground and sharpened in class. This one-day class will cover the basic theory and practice of knife making and is a good introduction for the beginner.
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 basic class will give you the foundation needed to start out on your journey of blacksmithing. You'll learn fire management, hammering methods, drawing out, upsetting, cutting, splitting, twisting, and convenience bending along with a demo of forge welding. Make punches and chisels and learn to harden and temper them. Heating material and heat management will be taught and much more.
This basic class will give you the foundation needed to start out on your journey of blacksmithing. You'll learn fire management, hammering methods, drawing out, upsetting, cutting, splitting, twisting, and convenience bending along with a demo of forge welding. Make punches and chisels and learn to harden and temper them. Heating material and heat management will be taught and much more.
Birch bark picture frames and mirrors have adorned Adirondack camps and cabins for centuries and were a favorite winter project for the guides to make. This is a great class for beginners with limited experience with woodworking and tools. You will select a frame and learn how to cut and fasten the Birch bark, twigs and other natural objects to create your own 'masterpiece'. Come see why this is one of our most popular classes. You'll be proud to hang this in your home!
This basic class will give you the foundation needed to start out on your journey of blacksmithing. You'll learn fire management, hammering methods, drawing out, upsetting, cutting, splitting, twisting, and convenience bending along with a demo of forge welding. Make punches and chisels and learn to harden and temper them. Heating material and heat management will be taught and much more.
