[TheForge] New student

Fri Jul 18 15:43:02 2003

Hi all:

I am happy to announce the aquisition of a new student.

I got an E-mail a few weeks ago from a college student interested in
learning blacksmithing. For once the contact wasn't a referal from somebody
on theforge, anvilfire, etc. I was tracked down. <grin>

Last saturday we had our first session and Lindsey did quite well. We
covered basic safety, terminology, tools and processes. Then we lit a fire
and I ran her through my favorite beginner's project; the infamous leaf coat
hook. It's a good project to demonstrate drawing, scrolling, bending and
veining. I spent about 12 mins. demoing a hook describing every step,
process, etc. and Lindsey spent the next two hours forging a hook of her
own. An excellent job she did too. <grin>

Well, there's a rub. (Isn't there always? <sigh>) Lindsey's taking a class
at UAA (University of Alaska Anchorage) and will be moving on at the end of
august! Not just moving on to another class, she's leaving the state
altogether! Since she finished her basic course requirements she's free to
attend any accredited college for her remaining classes so she's traveling
around the country taking a class here and the next elsewhere.

Okay, I'm pretty sure we can cover the basics in the few weekends we have
till she leaves, she's a quick study and as an athelete plans on "working
out" to strengthen her hammer arm. We've already discussed safe ways to do
this and what to watch for to avoid injuries, first aid treatments, etc. She
also follows directions very well, has uncommon good sense, a solid eye for
safety, very good eye hand coordination, is chearful, polite and is more
than willing to work for what she wants.

This is one dedicated young lady and I feel priveleged to show her what I
can. <grin>

I can use a little help though.

First, Lindsey's next school date is in Virginia and I'd like to find some
contact info for her. I'll get more specifics this saturday. I've sent her
to the abana affiliate list but I'd like to find somebody willing to take
her on as a student as well or at least somebody to help her out. I don't
think it's possible to stop her so a little help will go a long way.

Second, a while back a URL was posted with an online blacksmithing book. I
lost the URL in my last HD crash. (not a motorcycle <grin>) I would
appreciate it if somebody could repost it please.

Thanks,

Frosty
------------------------
If it ain't forged
it ain't real.
Wrought iron is.
The FrostWorks

Meadow Lakes, AK.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Mike Spencer" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, July 18, 2003 10:29 AM
Subject: [TheForge] Re: blacksmith question holding hammers

>
> raplph.d.> I reduced the size of my handle with a drawknife and with a
> raplph.d.> belt sander. So that it is about 1/2 the size it was and it
> raplph.d.> also have a more rectangular cross-section now.
>
> That's what I do too, with a couple of further refinements on the 1#
> to 2.5# hammers I use most often.  I can't control a hammer with (what
> seem to me to be) the Great Fat Logs that pass for hammer handles as
> they come from the store.  And I try to leave a bit of the Great Fat
> Log at the butt to give me a tactile clue, should my hand get near the
> end ofthe handle.
>
> - Mike
>
> --
> Michael Spencer                  Nova Scotia, Canada
>
> [email protected]
> http://home.tallships.ca/mspencer/
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