Handled Struck Tools Class 2021

Handled Struck Tools

Instructors: Jesse and Dave Gavin, with support by Olson, Fick, and others

Class size: 8 max, 6 min.

Class description: Prepare your own working tools with an introduction to the preparation and heat treatment of a popular tool steel.
The tools made will be punches with a wire handle and chisels with a wire handle. We will offer the option to use treadle hammers supplied by the teaching staff. (Find out if you really need one of these by trying them.) Tools for the treadle hammers will be supplied. Steel supplied will be 5/8 and 3/4 inch round 4140 AN for the punches and chisels. Handles will be fabricated from 1/4 and or 5/16 inch round CRS.
The instructor’s goal for the workshop is to produce students comfortable with the process of forging and heat treating tools from nominal tool steel. A secondary goal is to have the students comfortable with the use of treadle hammers. We expect to have three treadle hammers of different styles available.
We forge in the morning, heat treat and install handles after lunch.Much of the time is spent focusing on understanding the heat treat process. There will be enough stock so we can encourage you to make a couple of serious mistakes and still go home with real tools to use or to offer for the next “iron in the hat”. The photo represents the work product. This class has been going annually for quite a while and has always filled. Credit for that goes to Jesse and Dave. (If this is too difficult a time, Jim Scott is thinking he might offer the similar but different workshop using 5160 steel and tools that are longer (hand held) without handles. That would be toward spring and dependent on the turkey season in Missouri.)
The building will be open by 8 am, introductions and coffee will start at 8:30, in the shop by 9 AM. We usually finish just before 5 pm.
Tools and Equipment or other items participants are to bring to the class:
Power grinders are supplied. Bring favorite hammer: (16 to 48 ounces). Tongs appropriate to ¼ inch, 5/8 inch and ¾ inch round stock. (So far we have never run out of tools to share so this is not a big deal.)
Safety Equipment: the usual for forging with coal: safety glasses, hearing protection, clothing of natural fiber with no cuffs or fraying, and leather boots or shoes.
Other Equipment: Bring a sense of humor. You will make a couple of mistakes.
Special Instructions: Be on time. We cannot ask students to wait for late comers.
Lunch Arrangements: Bag it or go one of the local restaurants. There is a Culvers close and a bar with good lunches.
History: The lead instructor is Jesse Gavin. He is supported by Dave Gavin, Wayne Olson, Herb Fick and others. Last year we cancelled the workshop in accord with state guidelines. We shared three different treadle hammers for the eight students. For reference, probable students are invited to question former students including: Gene Thoma, Bryan Carlson, Derrick Phillips, Wayne Olson, Jim Moenck, or Bob Brown.
To register for this class: Send a check for $85 made out to The Guild of Metalsmiths (on a piece of paper with your phone number, email address, and residential address) to our class manager:
Herb Fick
519 East Eighth Street
Northfield MN 55057-2508
507 663 0569 or 507 649 1611 (cell) herb@phyque.com
Acceptance priority for this class will be determined by postmark.