Intro to Blacksmithing
Hook with backing plate
Whether you're brand-new to the craft or have decades of experience, everyone starts in the Intro to Blacksmithing class.
Why?
Well, everyone learns at a different rate, everyone has different life experiences, and bodies with different needs. The first Intro to Blacksmithing class is our opportunity to find what works best for YOU so that you can get what YOU want out of our classes, at YOUR speed.
You can even bring a friend for free. (One friend per paying student.)
You can take the Intro to Blacksmithing class as a private session, or as a group class.
Intro Curriculum
Hook. There's so much great stuff in this project--from learning to safely handle hot metal, to hitting hard with as little effort as possible--this project is a fantastic starting point for complete beginners and a fantastic place to start nerding about about the more advanced skills for folks with more experience. This class is a prerequisite for all other Intro to Blacksmithing Classes.
Students will learn:
Students will learn:
Students will learn:
BBQ Fork. Chiseling!
Students will learn:
Trammel Hook. Hole punching and drifting!
Students will learn:
Letter opener. Beveling!
Students will learn:
Candle holder. Joinery
*Students must demonstrate excellent listening, attention, and fine motor skills before working with hot metal and be at least 13 to start work in hot metal.
**Not all students will complete the project in one class session. Students may purchase additional class sessions as needed.
Why?
Well, everyone learns at a different rate, everyone has different life experiences, and bodies with different needs. The first Intro to Blacksmithing class is our opportunity to find what works best for YOU so that you can get what YOU want out of our classes, at YOUR speed.
You can even bring a friend for free. (One friend per paying student.)
You can take the Intro to Blacksmithing class as a private session, or as a group class.
Intro Curriculum
Hook. There's so much great stuff in this project--from learning to safely handle hot metal, to hitting hard with as little effort as possible--this project is a fantastic starting point for complete beginners and a fantastic place to start nerding about about the more advanced skills for folks with more experience. This class is a prerequisite for all other Intro to Blacksmithing Classes.
Students will learn:
- The difference between "smushing" and bending, and how to tell which is happening
- How to quickly and easily straighten metal
- How to make a "stabby" point
- How to make a scroll off the edge of the anvil
- How to twist metal
- Half-faced blows
- How to bend metal over the horn evenly
- Texturing cold metal
- Cold rivets
Students will learn:
- How to keep from twisting or bending the metal unintentionally
- How to use a guillotine
- How to dress corners
- How to twist and anti-twist metal
- How to bend metal with the vice
Students will learn:
- How the proportions determine the shape of their leaf
- Using the peen to move the metal quickly and with precision
- How to round
- Using scrolling tongs
- Using the cut-off tool
BBQ Fork. Chiseling!
Students will learn:
- How to chisel the tines apart quickly and evenly
- How to isolate and draw out the tines
- Error correction
- How to make the tines even
- Opportunity for custom handle design
Trammel Hook. Hole punching and drifting!
Students will learn:
- How to punch metal for a hole
- How to drift metal
- How to draw out on the horn
Letter opener. Beveling!
Students will learn:
- How to create a letter opener with a forged bevel
- Opportunity for custom handle design
Candle holder. Joinery
- An introduction to more complex layout and joinery
- How to use a swage block and forming tools
- Using riveting tools
*Students must demonstrate excellent listening, attention, and fine motor skills before working with hot metal and be at least 13 to start work in hot metal.
**Not all students will complete the project in one class session. Students may purchase additional class sessions as needed.