| BEGINNERS I
|
1 day
|
The basics of getting started. Discussion of equipment, fuels,
and running a coal fire.
Project: basic forging processes.
|
| BEGINNERS II
|
1 day
|
Further discussion of equipment, shop layout, chimneys, etc.
Project: a fire poker, rake, and shovel.
|
| BASKETS
|
1 day
|
| How to make baskets
for firetool handles, decorative elements in gates and railings, etc.
|
| BEAR HEADS
|
2 days
|
| This class will
cover making the necessary tools and the techniques to forge realistic
animal heads. forging a bear head from 1 1/2" square bar will
be the project for the class.
|
| BLADES
|
2 days
|
| Discussion of
the intricacies of forging and finishing blades of all sizes. We will
cover some of the popular steels for forging blades and their idiosyncrasies.
Low and high tech methods of finishing. Handle materials, what makes
a good handle and how to attach it. Forge and finish some knife blades.
|
| BUILD A PROPANE
FORGE
|
2 days
|
| A short discussion
of the principles involved will be followed by constructing your own
gas forge. We will be making the barrel type forges that have proved
to be one of the best designs for its rapid heating, light weight,
and ease of construction and repair.
|
| BUILD A TREADLE
HAMMER
|
2 days
|
| A short discussion
of the principles and uses of treadle hammers. Then each student will
build a hammer with materials provided.
|
| CIRCULAR STAIRWAYS
|
2 days
|
| How to layout and construct a circular stairway. We will start
with examining the site and taking measurements. Then go back to
the shop lay it out, form the parts and construct the stairway.
|
| DAMASCUS
| 1 day
|
| The mysterious
and legendary material of the ancient Middle East. Discussion of patterns,
characteristics, and what materials to use to achieve a good contrast.
Practice the process of welding billets and pattern development.
|
| FINISHES
| 1 day
|
| What to do with those projects for the finishing touch. "Natural"
finishes, paint, faux finishes with paint, metal powders, colored
waxes, mason colors, etc.
|
| FORGE BUILDING
|
2 days
|
| Build a coal forge with a cast iron firepot, approx.. 3'x3', with
an electric blower or you can provide your own hand crank blower.
Cost: to be announced, dependent on materials cost.
|
| FORGE WELDING
| 1 day
|
| The traditional
way of welding. Learn how to take a proper welding heat, types of
welds, fluxes, and try your hand at it (Necessary for damascus workshop
in the future).
|
| HAMMERS AND
TOP TOOLS
| 1 day
|
| A discussion
on hammer design and construction will be followed by making your
own hammer. Selecting the steel, how to punch the eye, and shaping
and heat treating the faces are some of the mysteries to be revealed.
|
| HARDIES AND
SWEDGES
| 1 day
|
| How to make
tools for the hardy hole in your anvil. We will make hot cut hardies
and discuss methods for making other types of cutoffs and bottom tools.
|
| HINGES AND HARDWARE
|
2 days
|
| We will cover
the basics of hinge construction, from cabinet hinges to hinges for
castle gates. Some of the numerous techniques for decoration of hinges
and other hardware will be demonstrated. We will also cover door latches
and cabinet handles. A fast paced class with alot to cover.
|
| JOINERY TECHNIQUES
|
1 day
|
| How iron was
assembled before the advent of arc welding. Mortise and tenon joints,
riveting, collars, shrinking, lap joints, etc.
|
| KITCHEN UTENSILS
| 1 day
|
| Learn how to
make spoons, forks, and ladles in one piece and with riveted bowls
of copper, brass, or stainless steel. We will also discuss the design
considerations for items that are practical to use versus decorative.
|
| LEAVES AND SCROLLS
| 1 day
|
| Scrolls and leaves
are elemental forms used in most ironwork to decoratively fill space
and to provide structural bracing. A basic skill necessary for any
grill type project such as gates and railings.
|
| POWERHAMMER
TOOLING
| 1 day
|
| A discussion
of power hammer types and brands. Working under a hammer and basic
safety concerns. Basic tooling and how it differs from hand tools.
Specialty tools, dies, etc.
|
| RAMSHEADS &
OTHER SIMPLE ANIMAL HEADS
| 1 day
|
| Used for handles on firetools, BBQ sets, etc. Fun and easy to make
decorations to turn plain items into elegant ones.
|
| ROSES
| 1 day
|
| The mystery of
the rose that never dies. Forge roses from steel, copper, brass, etc.
How to form lifelike flowers.
|
| TOMAHAWKS AND AXES
| 1 day
|
| Learn the traditional
techniques for producing handled, edged weapons and tools. How to
form the body of mild steel and weld in a tool steel edge. Making
mandrels to shape the eye for a handle.
|
| TONGS
| 1 day
|
| Various methods
for forging tongs with tips and techniques to make reliable and functional
tongs.
|
| TOOL MAKING
| 1 day
|
A discussion
of basic metalurgy, kinds of tool steels, classification systems,
and hardening and tempering.
Project: a cold chisel, hot chisel, and a punch.
|
| TRADEMARK STAMPS
| 1 day
|
Make a stamp
to mark your work. Learn how to come up with a practical design. Using
master stamps. How to get raised or sunken letters.
Making borders and shaped stamps.
(Requires beginners III - Toolmaking).
|
| TRADITIONAL
GATE CONSTRUCTION
|
2 days
|
| Learn how to
do mortise and tenon joints, collars, square corners, riveting, etc.
You will perfect your skills as you build your own garden gate.
|
| TRINKETS
| 1 day
|
| Making items
for Christmas presents and fair demonstrations. Keychains, bottle
openers, coat hooks, kitchen utensils, BBQ tools, etc.
|
| WIZARD HEADS
| 1 day
|
| Make the tools needed and then practice making wizards.
|
| WOODWORKING
TOOLS
| 1 day
|
| Basic types of
woodworking tools and how they work. Making chisels, drawknives, plane
blades, froes, gouges, etc.
|