Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Weekend Full of Building Stuff

This past weekend, I attended a forge-building workshop at the Mesa Community Arts Center. It was most righteous. It took about a day and a half to build the forges. I think it could be an quick, one-afternoon job if you have the right tools and are just working on your own.

We built a forge for each of us, and one for the art center. They've got a pretty sweet workspace for blacksmithing. I expect they'll probably get more people interested in taking the classes when it isn't 105 degrees outside...

I learned a bunch of new stuff, including how to tap a hole (wow, was that easy...) and how to forge a bottle opener. Somehow, I forgot to take a picture of the bottle opener, but I do have a picture of my shiny new forge. I have, for reasons I think are obvious, decided to name it Dante.


Now I just need to rustle up a stand for it, and some kind of large piece of anvil-like metal to beat on, and I'll be set!

8 comments:

Trobairitz said...

Looks awesome. We were watching the blacksmiths at the renaissance faire this weekend and it looked like an interesting hobby/work. I am sure you will have many hours of enjoyment from it.

Canajun said...

Nothing like smacking around a few pieces of red-hot steel to get the juices flowing! Looking forward to your next (non-bottle opener) creation.

Stacy said...

What a coincidence! Just a few days ago, I found some instructions on how to build a small forge out of a flowerpot and an old vacuum cleaner. Your Dante looks a lot nicer, though!

So, when are you getting your leather apron?

Do enough smith'ing and you'll have wrists strong enough to snap off your throttle bar with a flick of your hand!

Lucky said...

Trobairitz - It's a LOT of fun, not to mention it's a total stress-reliever.

Canajun - Me too. Hopefully I'll be able to get a workshop assembled sooner than later.

Stacy - That sounds pretty cool! Must have been a coal forge. A determined smith could make one of those out of just about anything. Dante is a propane forge - my neighbors are all far too close for me to get away with firing up a coal forge. Coal forges do heat the metal with a quickness, though.

I've never worn an apron, just cotton clothes and stompy boots. I might have to look into that.

Forginng by hand builds up muscles FAST. Back when I was smithing on a regular basis, my pythons were rock hard. Maybe I'll write a weight-loss/exercise book: "Heavy Labor: Pounds Away!"

irondad said...

I can easily see you, having met you, as a blacksmith. And that's meant as a sincere compliment.

mq01 said...

that seems like a blast!!

Joe said...

I love the name, Dante! Perfectly appropriate, methinks!

red said...

I've been reading about blacksmithing lately and my interest is peaked. I think I'm going to have to attempt a forge build in 2010.

Good luck and have fun!