Blacksmiths' Guild Unrecognized

"Under a spreading chestnut-tree The village smithy stands; The smith, a mighty man is he, With large and sinewy hands; And the muscles of his brawny arms Are strong as iron bands." — Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, The Village Smithy

Because metal won't hit itself.

Mission Statement
To increase appreciation and practice of artistic and practical metalworking in the Hampshire community and the greater community around us. To revive a "dead" art and create a space in which individuals who are practiced in Blacksmithing can share their passion and skills with other members of our community who are eager to learn, and to spread our passion to institutions outside of Hampshire through community demos. We hold weekly meetings in which experienced student smiths teach new smiths the tricks of the trade. We also hold in-Hampshire and larger community demonstrations and events.

The Blacksmiths' Guild is a collective of Hampshire students with an interest in forging. The forges are run by students who are on hand to help teach the basics of blacksmithing and to give tips on making the perfect piece.

Meeting Times and Events
Meeting Times:

Wednesdays and Thursdays 8-10pm: Open Forge at the Lemelson Center: Come learn to Blacksmith in a casual environment. Bring project ideas, questions, or just a desire to learn and the signers and other experienced students will teach you the basics of our trade and set you on your way to creating your own projects!

'''To attend an Open Forge Night, you must attend a one-time, one and a half hour Shop Safety Training course with Lemelson supervisor Glenn Armitage. Trainings are available every Thursday at 7 PM.'''

 

 If for some reason you are unable to make it to this time, please email Glenn Armitage at garmitage@hampshire.edu   to work that out     

Resources
Manuals - 

http://www.webpal.org/SAFE/aaarecovery/6_pioneer_methods/Basic_Blacksmithing.pdf

Current and Past Courses
Spring 2010: Modern Artistic Blacksmithing (taught by alum Jacob Lefton F04)

January 2009: Blacksmithing for Beginners

Inventory

 * Anvils
 * Large English-style, 4 x
 * Stake anvils, various sizes, 4 x
 * Miniature, 1


 * Forges
 * Single Burner Gas Chili Forge ("Niña"), 1
 * Used only for forge welding
 * Double Burner Gas Chili Forge ("The Surprise"), 1
 * Currently undergoing maintenance
 * Triple Burner N.C. Forge ("The Iron Duke"), 1
 * used for open forge
 * Hand-Cranked Coal Forge, 1
 * seasonal


 * Hammers
 * German
 * 500 gram, 1
 * 600 gram, 3
 * 800 gram, 4
 * 1000 gram, 1
 * French
 * 400 gram, 1 ("Madeline", as in "...the smallest one was Madeline." Also, she is French.)
 * 600 gram, 2
 * 800 gram, 1
 * Czech
 * 800 gram, 1
 * Toledo
 * 500 gram, 1
 * Ballpeen
 * 1000 gram (estimated), 1
 * Armoring Hammers, 9
 * Swedish
 * 1500 gram, 1
 * Spanish clubs
 * 800 gram (estimated), single head, 1
 * 800 gram (estimated), double head, 1
 * Sledgehammers
 * 14 pound, 1
 * 4 pound, 1
 * Power Hammer, 1, and multiple faces (included) ("Maxwell")


 * Tongs
 * V-Jaw ("Square")
 * 1/4" size, 1
 * 3/8" size, 2
 * 1/2" size, 1
 * 3/4" size, 1
 * Wolf-Jaw
 * size 40, 1
 * size 50, 1
 * size 60, 2
 * 12 inch, 1
 * 15 inch, 2
 * Fire Tongs
 * 15 inch, 4
 * Open Mouth, 1
 * Closed Mouth, 1
 * Z-Box Jaw
 * 1/4"x1/2" size, 1
 * Scrolling, 1
 * Specialty Tongs (hand-crafted, used or modified beyond recognition, varying sizes and styles), 10


 * Shaping Tools (not fully organized/inventoried)
 * Hardy Hole Tools (varying shapes, purposes and conditions), 6
 * Pritchel Hole Tools (varying shapes, purposes and conditions), ~6
 * Smithin' Magician/ Silent Apprentice and Accoutrements
 * Twisting Jigs, 3 non adjustable and 2 adjustable
 * Top Tools (varying shapes, purposes, and conditions), 4
 * Hot Chisels, 14
 * Cold Chisels, 29
 * Round Punches, 18
 * Square Punches, 9
 * Swage, 1 x


 * Miscellaneous
 * Wire Brushes, 2
 * Rattail Brushes, 5
 * Brass Brush, 1
 * Nail Removers, 2
 * Rivet Setter, 1
 * Hammer Handles (various sizes and conditions), 4
 * Aprons, 2
 * Hand-crafted Jingle Bell, 1 x
 * Vice, 1 x
 * Hand Blower (for coal forge), 1
 * Quenching Bucket of Water, 1
 * Quenching Bucket of Motor Oil, 1
 * Quenching Bucket of Vegetable Oil (From the Night Truck), 1
 * Annealing Bucket, 1
 * Annealing Oven, 1
 * Propane Torch, 1
 * Propane Tanks, 40 pounds, 3
 * Exterior Cabinet, 1


 * "Uncountables"
 * Beeswax x
 * Steel
 * Some rebar, some scraps
 * Various stock; round, square, flat, etc.
 * Iron
 * Some; used only for specialty projects x

Items marked with the letter "x" are donations

Project Ideas
A short list of some of the things you can make.


 * hooks!
 * chopsticks!
 * forks!
 * pendants!
 * rings!
 * torcs!
 * bracelets!
 * chain links!
 * candlesticks!
 * leaves!
 * roses!
 * roses WITH leaves!
 * hearts!
 * towel racks! (stick it in your bedpost!)
 * pencil holders!
 * snakes!
 * bottle openers!

And when you're REALLY good...


 * punches!
 * chisels!
 * hammers!
 * knives--er, letter openers!
 * spoons!
 * trivets!

Motto
These are not the hammer. The hammer is my hammer.

Related Student Groups

 * Glass Collective
 * Metalheads Machining Coalition
 * Zap! Electronics Community
 * SEARCH (Social Entrepreneurship Aid and Resource Center at Hampshire)