About

Blacksmithing is heating pieces of wrought iron or steel until the metal becomes soft enough for shaping with hand tools, such as a hammer, anvil, and chisel. Heating generally takes place in a forge fueled by propane, natural gas, coal, charcoal, or oil. In this class, you design, complete and take home simple projects such as bracelets, triangles, hooks, spoons, tools, and more. The class includes an introduction to heat treating, if appropriate for the projects undertaken.

Location:  This is an off-site class.        

9392 Wardwell Ave. NE
Bainbridge Island

Class will cover

• Safety and good practices
• Discussion of “smithing” and the main types: forging (sometimes called "sculpting"), welding, heat-treating, and finishing
• Introduction to the propane forge and hand tools
• Hands-on drawing, bending, practical applications, and beginning projects
• Personal project design for next session
• Practicing drawing by using forge, anvil, and hammers to create a traditional Viking bracelet, spoons, forks, and various other items
• Combining processes through forge work
• Individual student projects
• Short demonstration of Oxy/Acetylene torch and use of the “rosebud” in metal forming

Class Goals

• Learn the basic principles of metallurgy, heat treatment, and metal forming.
• Learn to bend, shape, drift, and draw steel through traditional methods.
• Develop an understanding of traditional tools used in the blacksmithing trade including a forge, hammers, anvil, etc.

Details

• Participants must wear long- sleeve shirts and pants in natural fiber and closed-toe shoes of either leather or cotton. Athletic or synthetic shoes and stretch fabrics are prohibited.
  
• Alchemy Industrial Arts will provide Personal Protection Equipment (PPE).
  
• Ages 14+ welcome
  
• Class is limited to four students to provide good mentoring.
• Please click here for BARN's current COVID-19 health & safety protocols. 
• BARN is committed to accessibility. Tuition Assistance is available - click here to fill out the simple application before registering for a class. For those who might need physical assistance, please learn about BARN's Companion Program here.

Further Contact

David Hays, Metal Fab Studio, metal.lead@bainbridgebarn.org