Blacksmithing: You Just Can't Get Good Help Anymore...But, You Can Make It! with Peter Ross #1130-0914. 5 days.

This class is for all those who like help, need help, want help. We will incorporate a wide range of processes to make something every shop needs - a Smith's helper. As a bonus, the project uses many skills; organized and combined to make a stable, solid mechanism that will last your lifetime. Starting with a full size drawing we will work mostly at the anvil with basic forging methods and hand tools to translate the drawing into the helper. We will use various skills - drawing, upsetting, punching, welding, riveting, splitting, drifting, mortise and tenon work, threading with hand taps and dies, filing, simple anvil tooling, basic heat treating, working with a striker, etc. This is a nuts and bolts class for the intermediate or advanced smith and will emphasize workmanlike results; smooth function, solid construction, ease of use and design, efficient manufacture. This is a chance to put almost all your skills together. Less experienced students will work to a simpler design but more advanced smiths are encouraged to alter the design to include more decoration or extra challenges. NOTE: Hard shoes and long pants are required for student's safety.