Forging Focus

The focus during the beginning of this workshop will start at the anvil with basic forging exercises designed to build or improve upon a solid foundation.  These forgings will challenge hammer and tong control and reaffirm your understanding of how to use different parts of the anvil. Covered in this section is what I consider the building blocks of forging regardless of the avenue you take in the craft.  Parallel forgings, clean dimensional changes, shoulders, tapered forgings and basic forging math will all be covered. Students can expect to execute a lot of exercises to specification at the anvil with strong emphasis on repetition resulting in quick improvement as a result of forging multiples.

After the series of projects and exercises are completed at the anvil we will transition over to power hammer forging techniques. Students will get an in-depth look at the functionality of these machines, and how to use them safely and efficiently.  Additional exercises and projects will be presented for the purpose of creating a deeper insight into the forging process.  Through the use of the exercises, the student may gain an understanding of how to create forgings executed at the anvil on a machine with always parallel dies that always strike full face blows.  Various hand tools will be introduced and projects outlined based on the successful use of those tools. Students can expect to do a significant amount of toolmaking during this portion, including various styles and sets of tongs.

The pace of this workshop will move quickly and all projects dovetail nicely into one another building directly on the skills learned during the previous exercises. Students should anticipate working hard on assigned forging curriculum and are expected to be able to follow directions and work toward a clear understanding of the tools and techniques outlined in each segment. Evening and weekend shop time will be used for Forging Focus curriculum practice and understanding. The structure of the first four weeks is one of considered forgings designed to challenge technique, discipline and understanding of forging principles setting the student up for success when presented with the challenges of design and execution.  Most importantly I hope to help teach you how to see your work and make decisions based on what you observe.  Forging is an assemblage of volume and line and understanding what you're looking at and where to forge based on what you see will aid greatly in the development of efficient forging technique. The whole idea is a strong understanding of fundamentals and forging principles combined with a keen eye for shape and line.  The development of this understanding sets one up for greater success creating the work you envision in your mind's eye and that you design and draw.