Vista Forge Electives

Penannular Cloak Pins

January 19th

How does a braveheart keep his plaid pinned on? With a stunning forged iron penannular! Variations on the circular cloak pin show up in lots of mighty cultures, from Celts to Vikings and beyond. Great for cosplay or scaled down to jewelry. Both parts of the pin use the same basic technique for scrolling a neat circle without needing a mandrel, and the pin body is a chance to use heat-controlled reverse twists in excess.

Minimum Prerequisites: Completion of our Blacksmithing 101 course, or equiv. (3-4 classes; decent coal fire management skills). Open to youth smiths; youth 16 and under must have a guardian at the Barn at all times. For this one, folks not quite done with 101 may attend, but only if your coal fire skills are strong.

Students Must Bring:

  • Proper forge attire: all natural fibers, covered legs and toes, leather or canvas shoes/boots, ANSI 87.140 compliant protective eye-wear.

  • Hearing protection is strongly recommended

  • Whatever water and food you need (food will not be available on site).

  • Forging hammer

  • Hot-cut (chisel or hardy)

  • Measuring stick and soapstone

  • Wolf-jaw or kit tongs

  • Wire brush

Please Bring if You Have: so you don’t have to wait to share...

•Twisting wrench

•Hot rasp

•Flat file

•Scrolling tongs or pliers might be nice to have

Date: Jan. 19, 2019

Time: 9 am-3 pm (please arrive promptly!)

Instructor: Dave Shuford (a.k.a. Dave #4)

Location: Blacksmith Barn (bldg. G), Antique Gas and Steam Engine Museum

Minimum Enrollment: 4

Maximum Enrollment: 21

Last Day of Registration: Weds. Jan. 16th (so we can buy enough materials)

Cost: $50 for museum members/$60 for non-members: includes fuel and materials.

*Students who will not or cannot behave safely and responsibly will be removed from the class (and the forge area) without refund. This includes failure to wear proper clothing and eye-wear. No warnings are required.

Penannular Registration

Penannular Cloak Pins

Corkscrews that Work

February 16th
Learn how to forge proper corkscrews using little more than a hammer and anvil! We will go through one design together, start to finish, including making a special little tool for forming the screw. Then we’ll do a bit of brainstorming on other design ideas, and set you loose! We’ll be working in 4140 medium carbon steel to make sure your corkscrews stay screw-shaped and functional for years to come. The class fee includes enough 4140 for two or three corkscrews. Expect some significant but careful drawing out.

Prerequisites: Completion of our Blacksmithing 101 course plus 2-3 Level I projects. Open to youth smiths; youth 16 and under must have a guardian at the Barn at all times.*

Students Must Bring:

•Proper forge attire: all natural fibers, covered legs and toes, leather or canvas shoes/boots, ANSI 87.140 compliant protective eye wear.

•Hearing protection is strongly recommended

•Whatever water and food you need (food will not be available on site).

•Forging hammer

•Hot-cut (chisel or hardy)

•Measuring stick and soapstone

•Wolfjaw or kit tongs

•Wire brush

Please Bring if You Have: so you don’t have to wait to share...

•Small scrolling pliers

•Hot rasp

•3/8” V-bit tongs

•Larger tongs (chain bit; box jaw; larger V-bit) may be helpful

Date: Feb. 16, 2019

Time: 9 am-3 pm (please arrive promptly!)

Instructor: Beth Holmberg

Location: Blacksmith Barn (bldg. G), Antique Gas and Steam Engine Museum

Minimum Enrollment: 4

Maximum Enrollment: 21

Last Day of Registration: Weds. Feb. 13th (so we can buy enough materials)

Cost: $65 for museum members/$75 for non-members: includes fuel and materials.

*Students who will not or cannot behave safely and responsibly will be removed from the class (and the forge area) without refund. This includes failure to wear proper clothing and eyewear. No warnings are required.

Corkscrew Registration

Corkscrews

Welded Wall Hook

March 16th
Here’s a handsome and useful design for a wall-mounted hook. Plus it’s a great project for learning (or building) some forge welding skills! Great for all sorts of indoor and outdoor uses: hanging plants, lanterns, pendant lights, pots and pans, or even curtain rods. Lots of space for artistic expression, too.

Prerequisites: Completion of our Blacksmithing 101 course plus 2-3 Level I projects. Open to youth smiths; youth 16 and under must have a guardian at the Barn at all times.*

Recommended For: Folks looking to learn/build upon their forge welding skills!

Students Must Bring:

•Proper forge attire: all natural fibers, covered legs and toes, leather or canvas shoes/boots

•ANSI 87.140 compliant protective eye wear; Low-IR strongly recommended.**

•Hearing protection is strongly recommended

•Whatever water and food you need (food will not be available on site).

•Welding gear: borax, wire brush, lighter hammer (rounded face helps)

•Hot-cut (chisel or hardy)

•Measuring stick and soapstone

•Wolfjaw or kit tongs

Please Bring if You Have: so you don’t have to wait to share...

•3/8” V-bit tongs

•Round punch

•Twisting wrench

Date: Mar. 16, 2019

Time: 9 am-3 pm (please arrive promptly!)

Instructor: Sharon Dodge

Location: Blacksmith Barn (bldg. G), Antique Gas and Steam Engine Museum

Minimum Enrollment: 4

Maximum Enrollment: 21

Last Day of Registration: Weds. Mar. 13th (so we can buy enough materials)

Cost: $50 for museum members/$60 for non-members: includes fuel and materials.

*Students who will not or cannot behave safely and responsibly will be removed from the class (and the forge area) without refund. This includes failure to wear proper clothing and eyewear. No warnings are required.

**Low-IR glasses include ACE or glassblowers; welding shade 2; didymium; or gold- sputtered safety glasses.

Welded Wall Hook

Welded Wall Mount