Class Descriptions
3 Day Basic Blacksmithing Class
This is a serious class for both the novice and the smith with limited experience who would like to learn all of the basic aspects of blacksmithing for a solid foundation to work from. This course will cover hammer control, lighting and tending a coal fire forge, tapering, upsetting, twisting, splitting, punching, drifting, scrolling, and forge welding.
5 Day Basic Blacksmithing Class
This is a serious class for both the novice and the smith with limited experience who would like to learn all of the basic aspects of blacksmithing for a solid foundation to work from. This course will cover hammer control, lighting and tending a coal fire forge, tapering, upsetting, twisting, splitting, punching, drifting, tool steel forging and heat treating, scrolling, and forge welding.
2 Day Giant Hammer Operation Class
October 2011
This is a hands on class that will cover the basic use and operation of little giant power hammers. We will start with the basics such as controlled tapering on different cross sections and move on to mass isolation and spreading. We will also cover a number of different dies and tooling. This class has been designed to help you get more out of your little giant hammer.
Sid Suedmeier along with Brad and Chad Gunter will be available throughout the class to answer questions you might have.
Friday, Oct 7
AM: Sid will go over evaluation and tune up.
PM: Differences between forging on the anvil and under a power hammer.
Saturday, Oct 8
AM: Controlling material movement.
PM: Tooling under the hammer.
5 Day Intermediate Class
None scheduled for 2011
This class is meant for someone who has blacksmithing experience and is proficient at all of the basic aspects of blacksmithing. We will start with layout and execution of a project which will incorporate upsets, forge welding, mass isolation, scrolling, and collaring all combined to make one finished piece. You will also take a more in depth look at designing, making and heat treating tools, using proper tool steels for the job. You will then use them throughout the class on things like face carving, slitting and drifting, traditional hinge making and tong making.
3 Day Focus on Forge Welding
None scheduled for 2011
If you have ever wanted to get better at forge welding, this is the class to come to. Not only will we be doing a lot of welding but we will be showing you how to preserve mass in your welds to avoid ending up with thin spots and blemishes. We will also explore many different types of scarves and how they best apply to stock size and shape you are using. All exercises will be done in a coal forge.
2 Day Rose Building Class
None scheduled for 2011
In this session Robb Gunter will show you the process that he has developed to make one of the most realistic iron roses out there. He has built over 300 in his carrier as a blacksmith and is willing to show all the tooling and tricks to make an efficient and enjoyable project.
3 Day Introduction to Repousse
None scheduled for 2011
This is a great way to start developing the skills required to make clean and beautiful leaf work to add volume and detail to your iron work. Repousse is a French technique done over a steak and is not widely known. It will make your work stand out from others. This class will also be a great way to see if repousse is something you would like to pursue further.
6 Day Repousse Class with Wendel Broussard
Not scheduled yet
Wendel Broussard was privileged to attend and graduate from the school of repousse at Les Compagnons Du Devorir in Muizon, France, in 1991 and now does it professionally. He has been offering classes in the technique he learned and they have worked extremely well. This class is for someone who is very serious about learning this skill and is limited to 10 students.
