Blacksmithing


Making Tongs: Get a Handle on Your Work

Jonathan Nedbor

Tongs, the most basic of tools, are used to hold your work while forging. Why buy tongs when, with a little practice, you can make your own? In this class we will look at three basic types of tongs: flat jaw, box tongs, “Poz” tongs. We will start with “flat jaw” tongs, the basic design for holding flat, square and round stock. Next we will work on “box” tongs for holding rectangular stock. If there is time we will move on to “Poz” tongs, one of the most useful tongs to have at the forge. The skills we will work on while making tongs include: accurate shouldering for dramatic changes in dimension, several lap welds, punching, and riveting. This class is recommended for beginners with some forging experience to advanced students.

Hard Shoes and long pants are required for the students safety.


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Sessions:

810-0410 This offering has already met
      Fri April 10, 2015 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
      Sat April 11, 2015 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
      Sun April 12, 2015 9:00 am - 4:00 pm



Get a Grip: Door Handles

Jonathan Nedbor

This class will focus on door handles, using traditional forged iron door handle designs as a starting point. The styles of historic door handles found in the US vary by region, due in most part to the country of origin of each region's inhabitants. In this class we will look at a number of door handle designs found in the Northeast, showing Dutch, German, French and English influences. Starting with a simple Dutch style handle, we will then move on to several designs found in and around the Hudson Valley of NY showing these varied influences. We will also cover the inner groupings (latch bar, staple and keeper) for these handle styles. Some of the skills we will refine are: shouldering, pre-shaping and spreading forms, punching, drifting, hammer welding, and nail making. We will also discuss considerations when working with “wrought iron”, as compared to steel. Students are invited to bring any door handles they have found for discussion, new or old. This class is best for students with some forging experience, who can find their way around the anvil and forge.

Hard shoes and long pants are required for students safety.


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Sessions:

819-0417 This offering has already met
      Fri April 17, 2015 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
      Sat April 18, 2015 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
      Sun April 19, 2015 9:00 am - 4:00 pm



Tools from the "Smithy"

David Court

The smithy is both the maker and the place of the making. Useful tools from the "smithy" can range from hammers and chisels for work to corkscrews and straining spoons for home life. The rough and ready to the finely finished. With this in mind we offer an opportunity for the beginner to advanced student to design and build tools for their needs whether making tools for their own workshop or as family gifts. Our goal is to allow students to step out on their own course of interest while utilizing diverse work experiences. Group inclusion in design discussion will be encouraged and the wide range of potential techniques needed should provide for interesting forge demonstrations. For this workshop work tools will be constructed using mild steel and hardened using super quench. Students should come with a list/drawings of desired projects as this class is designed to be individualized for specific challenges and interests. If alloy steel is required, students must provide their own material along with heating specifications.

Hard shoes and long pants are required for student safety.


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Sessions:

806-0501 This offering has already met
      Fri May 1, 2015 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
      Sat May 2, 2015 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
      Sun May 3, 2015 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
      Mon May 4, 2015 9:00 am - 4:00 pm



Beginning Blacksmithing

David Court

The art of blacksmithing begins with a solid foundation and a focus on the fundamentals: safety, the proper construction and control of the forge fire, hammer control, and an introduction to tooling and its purpose. Beginning with the basic techniques of tapering, upsetting, squaring, rounding, scrolling, basic joinery and more, you will leave with a finished project of your own design. This class is designed for both the novice and those with some forging experience. It is a sound platform from which students may move on to more advanced courses. So strike while iron is hot. Owing to the physical demands and to safety issues, this class is suggested for students 18 years of age and older.

Hard shoes and long pants are required for student safety.


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Sessions:

805-0515 This offering has already met
      Fri May 15, 2015 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
      Sat May 16, 2015 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
      Sun May 17, 2015 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
      Mon May 18, 2015 9:00 am - 4:00 pm



Forging a Double Caliper: A classic shop tool

Jonathan Nedbor

This class will cover the design, forging and assembly to make a double caliper. This tool is a classic forge shop measuring instrument. The double caliper is used to measure rough and then finished forged dimensions as well as the width and thickness of a forging. Students will choose a design then forge all the elements and embellish the handle to personalize their caliper. With this project students will learn accurate forging techniques, hot splitting, hot punching and riveting.

Hard shoes and long pants are required for students safety.


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Sessions:

820-0530 This offering has already met
      Sat May 30, 2015 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
      Sun May 31, 2015 9:00 am - 4:00 pm



Garden Tools

Lucian Avery

Well made tools can be a pleasure to use and pleasant companions as you go about your garden tasks. In this class we will make the two most used tools in the garden - a trowel and a hoe. These will be forged from salvaged steel and attached to wooden handles. You can choose between a few styles of hoe and design the size and shape of your trowel. Handles will be provided. You will return home with tools that fit your hands and new tool making skills. This class is appropriate for the beginner blacksmith, but be prepared to be challenged.

Hard shoes and long pants are required for student safety.


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Sessions:

814-0606 This offering has already met
      Sat June 6, 2015 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
      Sun June 7, 2015 9:00 am - 4:00 pm



Forged Forms from Nature

Jonathan Nedbor

This class will explore the interpretation in steel of plant forms from Nature. Drawing our inspiration from actual leaves, branches, seed pods, etc, we will develop the techniques and tooling necessary to create shapes that evoke the natural forms from which we are working. Learn about pre-shaping the mass of your bar to form leaves and stems, various approaches to create flowers, texturing techniques, chisel and veining, die work, assembly of clusters and branches, forge welding and more. Students should be familiar with basic forge processes and know their way around the forge shop.

Hard shoes and long pants are required for students safety.


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Sessions:

821-0613 This offering has already met
      Sat June 13, 2015 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
      Sun June 14, 2015 9:00 am - 4:00 pm



Hudson Valley Trapper Survival Kit

Matthew Parkinson

In this 5 day class students will explore the techniques and materials used in making production trade tools of the late 17th and early 18th century. These simple tools, a fire striker, an axe and a knife are all that was necessary for basic survival. Beginning with wrought iron and a small amount of steel, students will build a fire striker with a wrought iron body and an inserted steel striking surface. Using this same technique, a typical trade pattern knife will be made. Finally students will forge weld a small camp axe with an inserted steel edge. (sometimes known as a tomahawk) These three items helped to ensure the survival of many trappers and explorers in the early days of our country.

Hard shoes and long pants are required for student safety.


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Sessions:

808-0626 This offering has already met
      Fri June 26, 2015 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
      Sat June 27, 2015 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
      Sun June 28, 2015 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
      Mon June 29, 2015 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
      Tue June 30, 2015 9:00 am - 4:00 pm



Hand Forged Hammer

Nathan Robertson

In this one day class students will make a blacksmith's forging hammer starting with a block of medium carbon steel and will go home with a finished tool ready to use. The class will cover tool design, hot punching, drifting, forging, grinding and basic heat treating as pertaining to handled striking tools. There will be a range of choices for finished head weights from 1.5 lb to 3 lb and also a choice of hammer types: cross peens, straight peens, diagonal peens, rounding hammers, and even cutler's hammers. Students will work in three person groups with an emphasis on using a sledge for striking at the anvil. Must be 18 years or older. Experience level-Qualified beginner with some forging experience. Students should bring their favorite hand hammer if they have one.

THIS IS A PREREQUISITE CLASS FOR THE HAND FORGED STRIKING HAMMER CLASS! Hard shoes and long pants are required for students safety.


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Sessions:

835-0711 This offering has already met      Sat July 11, 2015 9:00 am - 4:00 pm



Hand Forged Striking Hammer

Nathan Robertson

In this one day class students will make a 6 lb blacksmith's striking hammer (sledge hammer), starting with a block of medium carbon steel and will go home with a finished tool ready to use. The class will cover tool design, hot punching, drifting, forging, grinding, and basic heat treating as pertaining to handled striking tools. There will be a choice of forging a cross peen, straight peen, or rounding style sledge. Students will work in three person groups with an emphasis on using a sledge for striking at the anvil. Must be 18 years or older. Experience level-Qualified beginner, some forging experience. Students should bring their favorite hand hammer if they have one.

THE ONE DAY HAND FORGED HAMMER CLASS IS A PREREQUISITE FOR THIS CLASS! Hard shoes and long pants are required for student's safety.


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Sessions:

836-0712 This offering has already met      Sun July 12, 2015 9:00 am - 4:00 pm




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Commercial Blacksmithing: Creating Items that Sell

Robert Menard

This class will focus on forged items that can be made with the simplest of hand tools found in the blacksmith shop. Two to four different products will be made each day of the class that will teach the student to create a line of stock that can be marketed at street/craft fairs, small shops, or just given as the best gifts ever. Production techniques will be explored to help students create batches of each item. We will discuss and implement post forging finishing and handling. Also explored will be pricing strategies, marketing angles, and customer relations. Previous basic blacksmithing skills are required.

Hard shoes and long pants are required for student safety.


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Sessions:

857-0716 This offering has already met
      Thu July 16, 2015 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
      Fri July 17, 2015 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
      Sat July 18, 2015 9:00 am - 4:00 pm



Create Your Own Marshmallow Roaster

Steve Gurzler

Great for roasting marshmallows or even flipping your steak on the grill, the process of making these roasters is also a great way to learn the basics of blacksmithing. In this class you will learn how to build a fire in the forge, heat metal, twist, cut, and bend while using the tools of the blacksmith. This class is open to all wanting to try their hands at blacksmithing and have some fun! Parents must accompany their children.

Hard shoes and long pants are required for students safety.


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Sessions:

834-0719 This offering has already met      Sun July 19, 2015 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

834-0920 This offering has already met      Sun September 27, 2015 9:00 am - 4:00 pm



Blacksmithing: Mastering Joinery

Dick Sargent

This course will cover the fundamentals of mortise and tenon joinery for traditional iron work. Theory of tooling will be discussed, from simple small job tooling to production as well as showing the whys and wherefores based upon applications. Students will make their own tooling, learning how to heat treat simple tool's steels during this process. Also the forging of angled tenons and mortises will be taught. The forging of the angled tenon has been a process that has eluded many contemporary smiths and this simple solution will answer many questions for both newbies and advanced blacksmiths.

Register for this class early. The registration deadline is June 25th. Hard shoes and long pants are required for student safety.


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Sessions:

831-0724 This offering has already met
      Fri July 24, 2015 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
      Sat July 25, 2015 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
      Sun July 26, 2015 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
      Mon July 27, 2015 9:00 am - 4:00 pm



Introduction to Damascus Steel

Joseph Szilaski

This course is designed for those with some experience with forging and an interest in learning to make damascus steel patterns. Students will learn how to forge weld a billet and will also learn the proper use of temperature and flux. Topics to be covered include basic patterns, acid etching, steel compatibility, pattern variation and manipulation. Forging a blade to shape and its importance will also be covered.

Hard shoes and long pants are required for student safety.


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Sessions:

858-0808 This offering has already met
      Sat August 8, 2015 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
      Sun August 9, 2015 9:00 am - 4:00 pm



Camp Ax

Lucian Avery

It is said that a true outdoorsman only needs an ax and a compass and he could survive in the wilderness. Now here is your opportunity to make your own ax! In this class you will learn the traditional tools and steps used to construct a small camp or “backpacker’s” ax. Go home with a finished ax head ready to be hafted and used. These axes are a versatile tool for the woodshed or the trail. This class is appropriate for the beginning blacksmith, but be prepared to be challenged.

Hard shoes and long pants are required for student safety.


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Sessions:

815-0815 This offering has already met
      Sat August 15, 2015 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
      Sun August 16, 2015 9:00 am - 4:00 pm




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Mastering the Fundamentals of Blacksmithing

Mark Aspery

This class is aimed at the beginner or novice smith. Following the ABANA curriculum, we will start at the beginning and progress in difficulty during the week. Aside from the first morning, the class will be project driven, including the rose and the wizard bottle opener, among others. An emphasis will be placed on the forging and heat-treatment of the tools that you will need to carry out the next project. Blisters and a healthy appetite are all but guaranteed.

Hard shoes and long pants are required for student safety.


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Sessions:

724-0817 This offering has already met
      Mon August 17, 2015 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
      Tue August 18, 2015 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
      Wed August 19, 2015 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
      Thu August 20, 2015 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
      Fri August 21, 2015 9:00 am - 4:00 pm




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Projects for the "Developing Smith"

Mark Aspery

Designed for the strong novice or intermediate smith, this class is intended to stretch your skills, and will involve four different projects, taught over 5 days. Some tooling will be provided, some will have to be made before the projects can be attempted. The projects are fussy by design and will provide the catalyst for many expletives and sharp intakes of breath! If you are looking to improve your skills, this class may be for you. Stake repousse, large forge welds, forging to dimension and tool-making with heat treatment are the subjects to be taught. If you have enrolled in the Mastering the Fundamentals class with Mark Aspery, consider staying on another week and progressing with your skills and experience.

Hard shoes and long pants are required for student safety.


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Sessions:

725-0824 This offering has already met
      Mon August 24, 2015 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
      Tue August 25, 2015 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
      Wed August 26, 2015 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
      Thu August 27, 2015 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
      Fri August 28, 2015 9:00 am - 4:00 pm




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Introduction to Bladesmithing

Matthew Parkinson

Students can expect to forge and finish one 4-6" blade antler handled hunting knife. Topics covered will be working with high carbon steels, knife design, forging a blade to shape, grinding, finishing, heat treating, fitting a guard and attaching a handle. This class is intended as an introductory bladesmithing class but some forging experience is helpful.

Hard shoes and long pants are required for students safety.


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Sessions:

809-0905 This offering has already met
      Sat September 5, 2015 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
      Sun September 6, 2015 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

809-1003 This offering has already met
      Sat October 3, 2015 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
      Sun October 4, 2015 9:00 am - 4:00 pm



BBQ Utensils

Patrick Quinn

Learn how to forge your own BBQ utensil set. Some techniques covered in this class include hot cutting, punching, drifting, shouldering, riveting and fullering. Students will forge and assemble their own set of BBQ tongs riveted to a tool steel spring. Following the tongs they will forge a spatula from one piece of steel with the help of the little giant.

Hard shoes and long pants are required for student safety.


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Sessions:

844-0912 This offering has already met
      Sat September 12, 2015 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
      Sun September 13, 2015 9:00 am - 4:00 pm



Introduction to Blacksmithing

Dick Sargent

The art of blacksmithing begins with a solid foundation and a focus on the fundamentals: safety, the proper construction and control of the forge fire, hammer control, and an introduction to tooling and its purpose. Beginning with the basic techniques of tapering, upsetting, squaring, rounding, scrolling, basic joinery and more, you will leave with a finished project of your own design. This class is designed for both the novice and those with some forging experience. It is a sound platform from which students may move on to more advanced courses. So strike while iron is hot. Owing to the physical demands and to safety issues, this class is suggested for students 18 years of age and older.

Register early! The registration deadline is August 25th. Hard shoes and long pants are required for student safety.


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Sessions:

832-0925 This offering has already met
      Fri September 18, 2015 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
      Sat September 19, 2015 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
      Sun September 20, 2015 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
      Mon September 21, 2015 9:00 am - 4:00 pm



Forging A Toasting Iron

Derek Heidemann

One of the most iconic pieces of early American cooking hardware is the toasting iron. Ranging from simplistic to elaborate, these toasting irons were a reflection of vernacular style mixed with the creativity of the smiths forging them. This two-day course will take participants through the process of constructing their own toasting iron and will include fundamental forging techniques such as punching, riveting, welding, chiseling and more. Previous forging experience necessary.

Hard shoes and long pants are required for student safety.


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Sessions:

856-1017 This offering has already met
      Sat October 17, 2015 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
      Sun October 18, 2015 9:00 am - 4:00 pm