Drewy

Probably easier to get a $2 ball pein from a garage sale and turn the ball into a cross pein, would at least look like a forging hammer.

Above post should read "old Redfern railway workshops"

Mr Aceman, Phil Sparks is located at the State Mine Museum in Lithgow. There is also Wyndham Parson in Springwood as well as the annual Ironfest in Lithgow held every April. The Artist Blacksmith of NSW is hosting a large scale blacksmithing weekend 6&7th July at the old Redfern rai workshops. Plenty of quality BS event in NSW throughout the year at least one a month.

Looking forward to Get Hammered, Ron and myself should be there. Really enjoyed ourselves last year, have been spreading the word around at Artist Blacksmith NSW monthly events. Speaking of which ABA NSW is holding its annual yearly event "Forging In July" next month at the old Redfern railway workshops, which is currently occupied by Wendy & Guido. The weekend (Sat 6th & Sun 7th) will showcase Jake James from Vancouver as well as Moonie, Forgemaster, Keith Fludder, Guido and myself giving demos.

Talking to various blacksmiths lately, it looks as if we are going to have a good roll up. Been the middle weekend of the school hols should ensure a big viewing crowd, so we will have to be on our best behaviour.

The penny just dropped as to when I'd seen a good example of communicating when a language barrier exist whilst blacksmithing. For those fortunate to attend ABANAS Rapid City conference would have seen Claudio Bettero from Italy working a team of ten blacksmiths who didn't speak a lot of Italian, yet after three days of forging produced one of the nicest pieces of iron work I'd ever seen.

The penny just dropped as to when I'd seen a good example of communicating when a language barrier exist whilst blacksmithing. For those fortunate to attend ABANAS Rapid City conference would have seen Claudio Bettero from Italy working a team of ten blacksmiths who didn't speak a lot of Italian, yet after three days of forging produced one of the nicest pieces of iron work I'd ever seen.

The penny just dropped as to when I'd seen a good example of communicating when a language barrier exist whilst blacksmithing. For those fortunate to attend ABANAS Rapid City conference would have seen Claudio Bettero from Italy working a team of ten blacksmiths who didn't speak a lot of Italian, yet after three days of forging produced one of the nicest pieces of iron work I'd ever seen.

Ok so I should look at the threads more carefully before posting an event, just in case you missed Phils post, here a second one to catch your eye. The important thing is get your self to Ironfest, it will be one of glamour events especially with all those "steam punks"

To all the Australian blacksmiths on IFI, a reminder that the annual Ironfest is on again in Lithgow . Dates are April 20 & 21. The Artist Blacksmiths Association of NSW uses this event to hold its April meeting, which is generally well attended as it is geographically in the centre of the state. Would luv to hear from others who might be thinking about going. Picture attached of our new shirts and caps

Phil I now use a welders pencil, made in china

G day Darren Have your heard of the NSW Artist Blacksmiths Association. We meet monthly across different towns and cities, this month we were in Grafton, next month Lithgow at the annual Ironfest gathering. Kurri Kurri, Branxton and Glen Oak are our Hunter Valley gatherings. There is also Tamworth in June. If you look up ABA NSW on the www, there is a membership form and general info, we also publish three magazines per year. Regards Craig

I once had to teach a deaf chap aspects of forge work and stick welding over a period of twelve months. Lots of knowledge and skills were transferred and not a word was spoken. We had wonderful conversations with the aid of a piece of French chalk and any metal surface on which we communicated.

As an apprentice we were encouraged not to use railway line for tooling that would be struck, as it has manganese in it and work hardens and the chips are quite sharp. We made all our tools out of train tyres (tyre steel official name) and used water for hardening. Also having access to large hammers made knocking down to size easy.

A great weekend, worth the ten hour drive. Thanks to Glenn and Dale for proving an opportunity to play with big gear, makes me feel like a real blacksmith again. Thanks also to Corin for proving the gas forge workshop, great to tap into a wealth of knowledge and get a forge completed. Look forward to next year. Cheers Craig and Ron

Corin count myself and Ron Poultin (two places) in for the gas forge workshop. Do you want us to provide any kao wool, fibre board, LPG gas regulator etc as I have some bits and pieces at home? email drewy67@gmail.com regards Craig

Glenn I have been able to get two days off work, so book me in for your event. can you contact me via email on drewy67@gmail.com regards Craig Drew

Mike lets hope the Tin Man had received formal training and had the right papers.

Here in OZ we still have a formal trade paper which can be obtained from Ultimo (Sydney) TAFE collage, it takes three years to gain qualification as an Industrial Blacksmith, I always encourage everyone involved in blacksmithing to do the course and recieve formal training. This course over the years has been hanging on a knife edge of being axed, but thanks to all the blacksmithing related industries we fought to have reinstated and once again it is back in the course guides. Everyone who has done the course is always proud of their formal paper, holding it as a badge of honour. I guess we are fortunate down here to still have Blacksmithing reconized as a trade.

Some of my friends have Harley Davidsons, jet ski, fast cars or they play alot of golf. Blacksmithing for me is all those things and more, sometimes it costs me a bit of money to buy books, tools or travel to different events, I find the people I like most and respect are involved in this truely nobel trade, craft, art.

Corin the gas forge building workshop is a great idea, I would be interested in taking part in anything that you propose. I have around 20 different designs but typically none of them have come off. Currently using a two burner NC whispher momma, keen to learn all the in's and out of different models.

Getting ready to travel to Kurri Kurri tomorrow to have the day at Phil's (forge masters) workshop. Get to experience his 500 weight Massey and 550 ton forging press. Once a year I get to walk back into my original trade of Industrial Blacksmith and play with real toys, by the end of the day my back and arms are happy to return to school teaching. Should be great.

Shouldn't all blacksmiths work and listen to "heavy metal"

When ever my back is out I can't make money and be productive, so paying others can be a good investment for the short and long term.

Thomas good luck for the coming season, I hope all your planning efforts won't be needed. How do you go lighting a forge when the condition are hot and there is a total fire ban in place?? here in Australia I use to ring fire control centre at the begining of the season let them know what I was doing, and how I would control a possible out break of fire, once I explained its my living and not a hobby they would give me the ok. Total fire bans here can last the whole summer.