CalSmith Blacksmithing Class

[RandyRhoads]

I went to my first CalSmith blacksmithing class last night. Had a great time. A bit different than I expected but for the better. I expected to coming out of there having made some crude crappy item. Nope. All it was about was focusing on techniques and proper form. For 3 hours I did nothing but practice drawing out a 2 sided tapered wedge. The instructor would check it, tell me where I done screwed up and a quick tip on how to fix it. Then take it over hot cut it and start over. Next class I make a 4 sided taper. Then work on more and more progressing into a smooth rounded point.

One student in month 2 was just finishing up some awesome tongs. I was really jealous and wanted to

Although I wanted to go to The Crucible where I could make my fire breathing/eating torches this seems like a great class, especially since it isn't $300. And from what I heard from another student it's much better than the crucible anyway.

PLUS I just got my hands on an old brake drum thanks to the ex wife thing. Time to get on that forge.


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[Rick]

Thanks for the pics. Pretty cool setup.

Paper laying around and red hot metal. I could have a fire going in no time.

[crashdive123]

Glad it was a good class. Looking forward to your progress.

[bacpacker]

Sounds like a great time. Looks like a killer set up.

I am in the process of setting up some of my stuff. Found a big Locust log to make my anvil stand on today. Gotta make a trip out to my parents to strip a old axle housing of it's drums and make my own forge. Planning on mounting it in an old propane grill body. Currently looking for an old blower for it and I'll be about ready to go.

[gryffynklm]

Sounds great. Nice top see they are teaching technique from the start.

[RandyRhoads]

Here she is finally up and running. Now I just need to wait for my coke and coal from centaurforge to arrive.
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[crashdive123]

Nice set up. Looking forward to seeing what you make.

[RandyRhoads]

Nice set up. Looking forward to seeing what you make.

Yeah so was I. I spend $45 on a membership to get a call saying our class is full try again in two weeks. Seriously? Full? I want my money back.

[RandyRhoads]

Class number 2. Done with a 3" two sided taper. Now to master a four sided taper. This is long, annoying work, with not much to show for the time and work, but hopefully pays off. And when I say pay off, I don't mean $. Nothing I learn pays off in that aspect. The amount of money it took to get basically no where, and the cost of coal and coke to practice nothing but tapers...my wallet hurts just thinking about it...

I got to see another student fire welding and making chain links. Thank god for Home Depot. I can't imagine spending 5 hours to make a 1' section of chain every time you needed it.

Another student just did a private one on one class with a guy teaching hand forged knife making. $300 for the class seems like a lot. But it is one on one 10 hours a day for 2 days. $10 an hour. Not too bad if you look at it that way. Contemplating it, but I already have this problem with sinking a fortune into dozens of hobbies.... lol...

[Roel]

My smithy, mor or less in the open air...

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[crashdive123]

Very nice work.

[Rick]

I have to second that. That's some seriously nice work.

[RandyRhoads]

Great looking leaf. Rep sent.

Works preventing me from taking classes for the next 4 or 5 months.

[Roel]

Hey, I'm from the Netherlands... whats the meaning of 'rep sent' ?

[RandyRhoads]

It's this geeky little thing on this site that shows people you've never meant you have meaning in life.

Hahaha

[Roel]

Thanks...learning every day...