Neighborhood Blacksmithing

[ladysmith]

I live in a trailer park, and haven't tried to set up a forge here...too many odd neighbors. I did however find a state park that had a wonderful blacksmiths shop...built in 1923 specifically for demos... I play there during the Spring, Summer and Fall (and yes they are saving "my forge" for me next year).

When I lived in WV (before I moved to the trailer park in PA), I had set up with the local craft guild the possibility of teaching very basic blacksmithing. The idea was the first set of classes would be on making simple propane forges , of which each student (limit of 10) would make two...one to keep and one to donate to the guild in leu of class fees (the guild would still pay me for teaching forge building out of grant monies). The guild worked out a deal with the local group that was converting the old train roundhouse to a museum. I would teach class in the old train forges, with the idea that when it was completely converted, I would demo occasionally for them (paid). Win-win all round for everyone! The option is still open when my arm is better. I am a huge fan of local arts and crafts guilds. By virtue of their non-profit status they have access to an amazing amount of financial and local resources.

Anyway, there are a multitude of creative ways to be able to blacksmith in areas that just aren't feasable to set up a forge of any kind.

Pam

[ApprenticeMan]

Originally Posted by ladysmith

I live in a trailer park, and haven't tried to set up a forge here...too many odd neighbors. I did however find a state park that had a wonderful blacksmiths shop...built in 1923 specifically for demos... I play there during the Spring, Summer and Fall (and yes they are saving "my forge" for me next year).

When I lived in WV (before I moved to the trailer park in PA), I had set up with the local craft guild the possibility of teaching very basic blacksmithing. The idea was the first set of classes would be on making simple propane forges , of which each student (limit of 10) would make two...one to keep and one to donate to the guild in leu of class fees (the guild would still pay me for teaching forge building out of grant monies). The guild worked out a deal with the local group that was converting the old train roundhouse to a museum. I would teach class in the old train forges, with the idea that when it was completely converted, I would demo occasionally for them (paid). Win-win all round for everyone! The option is still open when my arm is better. I am a huge fan of local arts and crafts guilds. By virtue of their non-profit status they have access to an amazing amount of financial and local resources.

Anyway, there are a multitude of creative ways to be able to blacksmith in areas that just aren't feasable to set up a forge of any kind.

Pam

How far is Carlisle from New York? The border I mean, I am right on the PA NY border, about 45 minutes from Honesdale. I would to do that propane forge class! Ever hear of the Northeast Blacksmith's Association Ladysmith?

[ladysmith]

Aprenticman,

Carlisle is about half an hour south of Harrisburg, PA. When I teach the propane forge class (and they are suprisingly easy to build), I will be teaching in Martinsburg, WV.

I have heard of the Northeast Blacksmith Association, but it is just too far for me. I know there is a blacksmith group somewhere in NJ that has a propane forge building class. Otherwise, there is plenty of information on the internet, and I'd be happy to answer any questions you have.

Pam

[Chilla]

Hi Guys,

I work from home, and as long as I work 7:30 - 7:30 weekdays, and 9:00 - 7:30 weekends and public holidays, there's not much the neighbours can do about it.

Fortunately my neighbours aren't home during the days so it's really not an issue. If they are I ask if there are any problem with making really loud noises.

Anyway I could always fire up a furnace and melt some brass on their wash day it they want to get nasty... nothing says love like smoke through the clothes ;-)


Regards Charles
P.S. I wouldn't really smoke peoples washing... would I?

[ApprenticeMan]

Possibly(hehe).

[rusty ripple]

i used to have a shop, but it got destroyed in katrina so i've since moved it all into my backyard. the neighbors haven't complained yet but i try to have everything shutdown by nine. i've made things for some of them and that always helps make things run smoother. always feel guilty when i can hear them outside enjoying a summer night and i fire up the engine driven welding machine and the angle grinder, but since they know i'm still looking for a shop they are patient.

[blkbear]

We live in attached condos in Ottawa. Backyard is 15ft by 15ft and our neighbours butt right up against us on both sides. Hardwood chunk charcoal is readily available here so I am going to give it a try.

Brian in Ottawa

[Alan DuBoff]

I was talking to a smith today and we were talking about this. He gave what I considered to be pretty good advice. Make some trinkets and give the neighbors, they'll love you after that.

Not sure how well it will work with my neighbors, but I'm not sure there's too much they can do as long as I conform to the law. AFAIK, it's certainly not against the law to burn coal inside a forge in your yard anymore than it would to BBQ. I get a lot of smoke when I BBQ.

One of my friends lives in a pretty upscale neighborhood and he works metal and forges all the time and says he's never had a complaint from his neighbors. I was surprised those type folks wouldn't complain, I bet those princesses fuss like all heck to their husbands...

I'll know how they feel after I start forging at home which is gonna happen soon. I can't imagine them minding it after using my benchtop thickness planer for wood, it's so loud the worms crawl over to my next door neighbor's grass. There's no wildlife for blocks when I start that puppy.


Edit: words replaced to keep this a family forum

[RegionalChaos]

I am encouraged about my neighborhood. I just met a smith that lives down the block from me. He has a nice shop in his garage and has been working in it for years. Doesn't look like he has had any problem with the neighbors. My set up will be a little bit different for a while though, seeing as how I am going to set up outside under a carport deal. It will be a bit louder I'm sure. We'll see how it works

[ThomasPowers]

Alan; I don't know where you live but at least in Columbus OH it *is* against the ordinances to produce any smoke or fumes that are discernable off your property, *except* when done for cooking or heating purposes; though you can get a burning permit, $25 and 10 working days prior to each time you fire up. In general it's wasn't enforced except when someone complained.

I had a friend whose neighbor did not like coal smoke and so we found out the details in a most unpleasent way.

Now I had a neighbor who used to call the fire department on me; but after the fourth time they came up flashing lights and sirens blaring to find me BBQing (we used real wood in our smoker) I think they had a talk with whoever it was about "false alarms and large fines" cause I didn't have any problems after that.

Thomas

Thomas