Hands on Workshop - Making Fire Tongs

When is this workshop?

A Few blacksmiths needed - Class is in danger of being canceled!

Fire Tongs - Hands On Class at Darryl Nelson’s Meridian Forge Blacksmithing School
Shel Browder, retired Colonial Williamsburg Blacksmith, instructor
Hand forging will be stressed, 90 degree corners a critical part of this project
$350.00 for the class, held at Meridian Forge, Eatonville WA.

Nov 4,5,6 (Fri, Sat, Sun) 2011
Accommodations at Mill Village Motel 1-360-832-3200

Contact Darryl at-
Cell
1-2573-318-1842
Landline
360-832-6280

I would be totally game to attend, but all these blacksmith classes are far away and
far too expensive!
I know the visiting demonstrator has his costs etc. But it seems that the only people who are able to take these classes are financially well off amateur hobbyists, or established smiths who can work tuition into their shop budgets.
The blue-collar blacksmith/welder guy is essentially cut out of the loop and better off investing in tools and books and then watching videos on You-tube .

As someone who has taken quite a few blacksmith classes and am now a professional blacksmith, I can guarantee that they are worth every penny. I know that money is tight and time is precious, but the knowledge gained from a master, or just a really good professional smith is priceless in advancing your skill.

I taught myself for 5 years on a hobby level, never taking a class. My learning curve dramatically increased with each subsequent class i took.

As for this class, I've studied with Peter Ross, a colleague of Sheldon's at Williamsburg. What these guys can teach you about efficiency and hammer control will never be gotten from a book or youtube video, will save your body and dramatically improve your blacksmithing.

I get your point.
I have seen many many classes offered that I would like to take, and I know that I would likely benefit from them, but it's simply one of those things which is financially out of the question for me, and frankly, it bums me out.

The class is a go WITH 5 STUDENTS. Today there were about 3 openings still available. Shel demonstrated at Fort Vancouver the past 3 days. Part of the demonstration was making the tongs that he will be teaching. The demo covered making a couple tools, making square corners, forge welding and file work. Shel is a great demonstrator and instructor. Don't miss it!

What level of blacksmith background does one need? Is this for beginner, intermediate or advanced? I am just learning and don't have a lot of tools as yet. I just returned from a class with Charley Orlando at John C. Campbell. I live in BC and if this isn't the course for my limited skill level I'll keep an eye out for others.

Darrel Nelson or Ike Bay are the folks to contact with your question. Darrel's contact information is listed on the anouncement. Ike Bay may be contacted @ Ike Bay <dasbayhaus@comcast.net>

Iain: Members of the NWBA can also apply for an Al Bart Grant up to $300.

Originally Posted by Grant

Iain: Members of the NWBA can also apply for an Al Bart Grant up to $300.

Very interesting, I will look into this.... That would certainly pay for another term of the Traditional iron working course instructed by Burt Romans at Clackamas Community College.
4 hrs a week for a full school term with lots of helpful instruction to do intermediate projects with access to a power hammer. It's proven to be the best use of any tuition money I have been awarded.

Thanks for the heads up!

I ended up going to the class and it was a blast. I learned a lot in 3 days for sure. Shel was a great teacher, and I learned form the techniques he showed, but I also tried to learn and observe such small things as material handling, efficiency of hammer blows, and proper heats. I managed to get most things done, even with my limited experience. Darryl has a nice shop to work in with eveyone getting their own forge. Met some really encouraging people in the class too.