Chancellor Posted December 4, 2011 Share Posted December 4, 2011 Hello everyone, I'm a beginner blacksmith in North Texas, around the Denton area. I've been checking around the forums and they've been incredibly helpful and I thought maybe if I participate I would learn even more. I've been blacksmithing for about a year now, though I've had to take a few extended breaks due to a number of severe droughts. As a result, I feel like I haven't progressed as quickly as I should have. I tried snooping around ntxba.org, but it looks like it hasn't been updated in ages, and there's a notice saying they've cancelled all hammer-ins and their meeting tab pops up with "No meetings available". I don't really know where to go from here. Anyway, I'm glad to be here, and hope I can contribute at least a little to the forum. At the very least, I hope I can stay active. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigfootnampa Posted December 4, 2011 Share Posted December 4, 2011 The only smith that I know in your area is James Johnson. He's a good contact though and will know if there is anything going on in your area. You can contact him through Anyang USA and see some of his work at their site too: http://www.anyangusa.net/ If you get a chance to visit his shop it will be well worth your time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Dean Posted December 4, 2011 Share Posted December 4, 2011 Howdy from East TEXAS!! and welcome to IFI! I agree, James is a great guy and very knowledgable. Also contact Chuck Stone, I believe he is Newark...anyway his contact info in on ntxba.com If you want to make a trip to the Longview area give me a holler, I'm 2hrs from the Abrams and Royal area in Dallas...our daughter and son n law live there. Also, if you don't mind the drive, the SouthCental group of Saltfork Craftsmen meet once a month just a few hrs north of you. www.saltforkcraftsmen.org and check the schedule to see where that next meeting is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chancellor Posted December 5, 2011 Author Share Posted December 5, 2011 Thanks for the welcome and the references. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Ternay Posted December 10, 2011 Share Posted December 10, 2011 Hello, I'm also a beginner, probably much more so than you. I am in Dallas. I don't know if you are aware but Brookhaven Community College is offering Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced Blacksmithing courses through their continuing education division. It's at the very bottom of this link, under "Welding": http://www.brookhavencollege.edu/course-schedules/non-credit/arts_academy.aspx They are every Saturday starting in January and the teacher is Kris Kring who was the blacksmith for Plano's Heritage Village. Hope this helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Dean Posted December 10, 2011 Share Posted December 10, 2011 Kris is an excellent smith and I'm sure you will do good taking a class from him. I met Kris back when he was the smith at the "Old City Park" in Dallas, now known as the "Dallas Heritage Village". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chancellor Posted December 11, 2011 Author Share Posted December 11, 2011 Thank you Misters Ternay and Dean. I think I'll take that class. Will either of you be attending? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Dean Posted December 11, 2011 Share Posted December 11, 2011 No, I'm in Longview, about 2 1/2hrs away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Ternay Posted December 13, 2011 Share Posted December 13, 2011 I am signed up for the Beginning Blacksmithing course. Hope to see you there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chancellor Posted January 11, 2012 Author Share Posted January 11, 2012 Blah, After a couple of weeks trying to get an answer on their registration, their class is full. Capacity is seven, with seven enrolled. I am going to try talking to the head to see if there is any way they can fit me in. Hopefully I can still attend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 Perseverance is a major blacksmithing trait and one I look for in students. Instant gratification is not a smithing trait! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Dean Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 Blah, After a couple of weeks trying to get an answer on their registration, their class is full. Capacity is seven, with seven enrolled. I am going to try talking to the head to see if there is any way they can fit me in. Hopefully I can still attend. Sent you a PM.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry W. Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 If you are up to traveling, Balcones Forge and Houston Area Blacksmith Assoc. (HABA) will be having a joint meeting in Bryan, Texas on February 18th. The Lee Brothers will be demonstrating at their shop. I will be making the trip from Devine (south of San Antonio). Well worth the time and gas. You can check the Balcones or HABA website for details. Jerry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Dean Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 If you are up to traveling, Balcones Forge and Houston Area Blacksmith Assoc. (HABA) will be having a joint meeting in Bryan, Texas on February 18th. The Lee Brothers will be demonstrating at their shop. I will be making the trip from Devine (south of San Antonio). Well worth the time and gas. You can check the Balcones or HABA website for details. Jerry Totally agree! I attended last year and won't miss it! Best Little Mini-Conference in TEXAS!! Not sure what's on the agenda this year as Jeff had back surgery back in Dec so it may be a "one man show" as he told me! But will definitely be well worth the effort to be there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmcquirt Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 Welcome! If you can get in, I will see you in class. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 In northern TX you should keep your ear open for Salt River Valley stuff in OK too. *Great* Group and not that far for a conference... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Dean Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 That would be the SALTFORK CRAFTSMEN group. http://www.saltforkcraftsmen.org Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tagg Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 Howdy from North Dallas! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 Thanks Thomas; I used to live near the salt river and had a brain-fingers' fart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chancellor Posted January 13, 2012 Author Share Posted January 13, 2012 Just got a call from the school saying that it wasn't a lack of materials (I was thinking maybe they only had seven anvils, and if I brought or donated one I could attend). Instead, it was safety issues and space restrictions. I'll have another chance this summer, and to be honest, it works out better with school anyway. Thanks guys, and have fun! Maybe the North Texas Blacksmith's Association will begin having meetings again, so perhaps we'll get to meet up sometime. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chancellor Posted January 13, 2012 Author Share Posted January 13, 2012 Just checked NTBA's website and they're having a meet in Collin County at the YMCA Adventure camp. I might be able to attend, but it is doubtful, as we have family over this weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly Kring_23627 Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 Hi MizuPsi, This is Kelly Kring, the Blacksmith instructor at Brookhaven College. I'm sorry you missed the classes this semester. Three folks to go find. Fred Christen at Dallas Heritage Village dot Org located at the DHV Museum off Harwood & I30 in Dallas. Next is Will (Feirry sp?) at the Grapevine Blacksmith shop at the Grapevine visitor center. Finally is Chuck Stone north of Ft. Worth. All three teach introduction courses in Blacksmithing and are all three very good teachers. As for my summer course at BHC, get in early and in the morning class when it is still cool. We reached 115* and up last summer in the afternoon class. This Feb.11, 2012 is the next NTBA meeting at the Smith Designs MFG shop in Gunter. All three of my classes, UNT arts metals, and BHC Welding folks will be in attendance. We are holding three simultaneous demo's in three separate areas, so there will be plenty of room and lots to see. Bring your camera!Hope to meet you there. All are invited! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chancellor Posted March 7, 2012 Author Share Posted March 7, 2012 Mr. Kring, Sorry it has taken me so long to thank you for your advice. I'll definitely look into the other smiths you recommended, and hope to be able to take your summer course. If I may ask, in the case I take an introductiory course under one of the three smiths you mentioned, would I be able to take your intermediate course in the summer? Thanks again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PMayne Posted March 13, 2012 Share Posted March 13, 2012 Hey Man. I am actually in Ben Wheeler (between Canton and Tyler) and I am getting back into smithing after a LONG break. If you need anything (not sure how much help I can be) feel free to ask and I will do all I can. I am going to be looking into the classes at Brookhaven also and once I get a bit more stable am going to try to start getting to some of the "local' conferances. Everything everyone has said about the Saltfork Craftsman group is true. They are some of the most amazing people you will meet, though it has been probably 6 or 8 years since I have had the opportunity to meet with them. Good luck and if you are ever out in the country you have a place you can stop and kill some time in Ben Wheeler. Take Care. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elmore Posted June 15, 2016 Share Posted June 15, 2016 i live near denton on lake lewisville and need some welding done am making a gate from a piece of iron fence and also need a latch for an existing gate contact me at elmore855@yahoo.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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