This is the core of our hands-on forging opportunities. Throughout the conference (from the morning of Friday, April 25th, 'til midday Sunday, April 27th), we'll be offering half-day hands-on workshops. Geared to beginner through intermediate blacksmithing skills, each of the five workshops is a lesson in forging a specific project. It's a great chance to make stuff that's not in the standard CBA curriculum and expand your knowledge and skills. We'll supply the materials, forging stations, and great teachers; bring along your hand tools and show up promptly if you want to join in the forging. The website will be updated with project specifics, including the schedule of workshops and suggested hand tools for each so that you can better plan your conference visit. Workshops are open to all full conference attendees. We're in the middle of putting the schedule together, so if you know of a great instructor with a cool project you'd like to see, please contact Beth Holmberg at (619) 293-3211.

Bring together a bunch of those core blacksmithing skills to make this handsome classic 3-piece gate latch. Draw out, scroll, turn eyes, bend right angles, and...try to do it all to accurate measurements! Only basic tools and a decent eye are needed to try this one, especially with such an experienced instructor. Turn 2 feet of 3/8" round into a great piece of hardware. Appropriate for anyone who's hit hot metal before.

Suggested tools:
    Forging hammer
    3/8" round/vee tongs
    Hot cut
    Ruler
    Soapstone
    Wire brush

Gate Latch Sketch (PDF)

If you do not have Acrobat Reader to view PDF file, you can download it for FREE.

Forge this great-looking fork, and show off your smithing everytime you grill. By starting with a heavier stock and drawing down, its easy to end up with a nice beefy handle and plenty of material to split into the tines. Dave will teach you how to use a hand-held fuller to make the base of the slit really impressively smooth and rounded (and material will be available for making your own fuller, if you like). You can do a simple twist on your handle, or play with more complex twists. You'll also learn about a cool way to get an amazing finish on your fork. No extensive experience required, but because you'll be drawing out a lot, it may be frustrating for folks who can't swing a 2+ lb. hammer hard for a while.

Suggested tools:
    Forging hammer (a rounding face may help)
    Tool-striking hammer (not usually the same!)
    Hot cut chisel or slitter
    Twisting wrench (1/2 inch)
    Hand fuller, if you've got one
    5/8" round tongs, if you want to make your own tooling
    Hot rasp and/or file
    Ruler
    Soapstone
    Wire brush

Classic Colonial American hardware is recognisable by those nifty bean- or arrow- shaped ends (think of latches, door handles, strap hinges, etc.). If you've tried to make them, you may have experienced some frustration... Come learn from a master how to do it the right way, and make all your hardware even more handsome! Get a workout with your cross-pein. Learn how to pre-form for various end results. Really move the metal around to where you want it. Simple tools can lead to beautiful results! Worth a try for anyone; accuracy in placing your hammer blows will lead to more success.

Gary Brown will explore how to make various the "finials" used as decoration on hinges and latches. Like the: arrow; kidney bean; round; and spade shape. All of these endings are finished at the anvil with no need to trim with the file or chisel. This was a great time saver in the 18th century as well as today. We will also cover a leaf shape that does require chiseling and punching, if time allows.

Suggested tools:
    Cross-pein forging hammer
    Flat or box tongs (1/4")
    Ruler
    Soapstone
    Wire brush

Stock sizes: 3/16 X 1 inch; ¼ X 1 inch; ¼ X ¾ inch.

Having trouble with your forge welds not always sticking? Join us for a forge weld troubleshooting session. Bring your welding problems and we'll try you get you to the next level. We will start with a thorough discussion of various forge welding theories. Then we will break out the borax and go to it. Goat sacrifices are not anticipated to be required in this session.

Suggested tools:
    Forging hammer
    Forge welding hammer (really light, really)
    Tongs as needed
    Borax
    Wire brush

Learn the tooling and basic techniques for making a classic 'church key' style bottle opener. It really does make a great gift for your beverage-quaffing friends and relatives (especially the ones who drink the good stuff that lacks a twist-off cap). We'll start by focusing on the working end, for those who have their own ideas about the handle, then go through making the forged reverse twist and scrolled handle end. We'll have the necessary punch available for use, but we'll also have appropriate metal for those who'd like to forge their own to take home. Formulation and use of Superquench in the making of tools will be addressed, as well. Handouts will be provided to participants. Appropriate for anyone who's hit hot metal before.

Suggested tools:
    Forging hammer
    Tool-striking hammer (not usually the same!)
    Twisting wrench (1/4 inch)
    Hot cut
    3/8" round/vee or 1/4" flat tongs
    5/8" round tongs, if you want to make your own tooling
    Scrolling pliers, if you have one
    Hot rasp and/or file
    Ruler
    Soapstone
    Wire brush

Beth Holmberg has been playing with hot iron for six years. She likes using traditional, low-tech methods to do everything from reproductions to contemporary designs. She demonstrates blacksmithing for Old Town San Diego State Park, Stein Family Farm, Pioneer Village Yosemite, and other historic sites, and teaches CBA Basic II classes at the Vista Forge. Her home forge is charcoal-fired and in the driveway.