[TheForge] Re: Demo's

[Roger Olsen]

Ralph E Douglass wrote:

> John Chobrda wrote:
> >
> >     I would like to ask a question about doing demonstrations for the
> > general public. For those of you who have done this, what do you find to
> > be the best things to make to give people an idea of what we do. I was
> > at a event yesterday and found myself at a loss as to what to do, that
> > could be done quickly, and even given to some of the kids in the
> > audience as a reminder of their experience. I noticed that people don't
> > stay very long, so I'm trying to think of something that would be quick,
> > and not to involved, something besides a hook please. I'm not too much
> > of an original thinker, but I can take an idea and run with it.
> > Thanks in advance
> > John C.

______________________________

I think anything that shows really well how malleable hot iron can be.  In
the past when I did public demos I would make a clevis out of 5/8" round or
so.   Hang about an inch of one end, bend at a 90, upset down onto itself to
about original thickness ot a little more, punch and drift to a 5/8" hole, do
the same to the other end, bend into a clevis shape.  It shows a 5/8" hole
thru 5/8" stock, something no machinist or even magician could do.    Leaves
are another very quick and dramatic crowd pleaser.  If giving them out to
someone who looks particularly interested I will hardy cut with a couple of
inches of the parent stock so they walk away with something that shows a bit
more about the process.  I also always brass brushed the leaves and gave them
a hot wax.

Roger Olsen
from the East slope of the North Cascades