What Preparations Should Be Made For Setting Up a Hammer-in

[Ted T]

I am putting this out as a suggested place to compile and help build and stockpile information and suggestions for the use of anyone who may consider being a Host or a Sponsor of a Hammer-in type event

If you should read this, I feel it is only fair that you know what my qualifications are to plan and set-up a Blacksmith Hammer-in: I have NONE!

Recently Richard Thibeau of Dancing Frog Forge suggested that I should hold a Hammer-in here in eastern Utah. Richard is a positive thinker and wants to expand the I Forge Iron experience to a broader base of blacksmiths.
But he caught me off guard when he made a post about the possibility. So I consented to look into the possibilities.
So I have. I gave it an indepth look to see what the realistic feasibility was to hold an event that would be worth a “hard working man” to spend money for gas and other expenses in order to attend.

On the face of the idea it sounded like it may be an easy decision to make.
At first thought I felt that all I needed to do was find a place larger than mine to hold the event.

But then reality in the form of “Liability, Event Location Requirements, Availability of Tools and Equipment, Materials, On site camping accommodations, Off site Quarters, First Aid Station, Transportation, and Public Relations considerations, created obstacles that were beyond my means!

That is a general summation of the issues. The details of each issue cut deep.
I found that my personal resources and the area resources combined would be
inadequate to start-with for a successful outcome.

Any one of the several issues that I eventually had to address made it clear that I would be way over my head and beyond my abilities and resources to be able to Sponsor and Host a hammer-in with a favorable outcome.
I know that if I threw caution to the wind and held such an event against my better judgment it would most likely be disappointing anyone who spent time and money to attend, and would place un-necessary stress on me and my wife knowing how inadequate conditions would be to start with.

That being said, I feel it may be appropriate to build an information base that would act as a check list to help someone else who may decide to sponsor or host a Hammer-in.

To start with I feel it would be important to review two aspects of consideration about sponsoring or hosting a Hammer-in.
One would be Logistical considerations. The other would be the Program schedule and agenda

Logistical:
Everything listed below requires your close consideration. I suggest that you ask yourself an informative question about each topic.

Some Legal Aspects to Consider: “Liability”.
You need to assess and be aware of the risks involved of not having Insurance/Bonding if you are not covered properly.
And you need to fully and functionally understand your Property Owners coverage, and then be willing to take the chance.

Remember: YOU NEED TO TAKE CHARGE!
If you don’t, your friend and good old buddy will most likely not want to not sue you.
But from 36 years of experience dealing with civil law I found that his attorney, and or insurance company will most likely sue you in a heartbeat to recover ALL costs (including all legal fees).

To set this un-wanted process in motion only takes a fraction of a second of carelessness or inattentiveness on the part of highly skilled people, right down to problems of allowing children to run freely and un-supervised in your shop that could cause you to lose everything.
Having un-supervised children on your property or in your shop is not recommended.

I have seen the problem of people who was supposed to be in charge not wanting to upset the parents of some active unsupervised children. So nothing was said.

Then plenty was said to the parents who seemed impervious of their children’s conduct before it was discovered that they had turned the knobs of an Acetylene bottle all the way on and also opened the torch without someone noticing right away.

Thank goodness they brought attention to themselves when one of them pulled a hunk of steel off of a bench that landed close to a child.
The children could have injured themselves by pulling the hunk of steel off of the bench
and/or killed everyone in the shop with the acetylene issue.

Is a Permit needed for Conditional Use, so as to comply with zoning requirements?

Town or area politics. It is anything that may alter, disrupt, or impact the normal routine or daily life of the community.
I know of blacksmith that was arrested while doing exactly what the mayor of the town had hired him to do.

Impact on neighborhood - - Smoke – Noise – Parking Issues - - Zoning Restrictions
Permission from neighbors who will be affected in some manner.

Transportation to and from Airport and Local transportation also.

Lodging and Site Location requirements:
a. Enough Room to park cars.
b. Room to set up Tents or Park Trailers or Motor Homes.
Or is there a convenient location close enough that would be appropriate to set up
tents or park cars and or RV’s.
Availability to Motel/Hotel rooms fit enough to stay in”.

c. Enough area to set aside for Forging activities and Social needs.
Note: A covered area of some type should be available in case of unfavorable
weather.
d. Electricity needs to be available.
e. Water needs to be available.
f. Rest rooms or Portable Out-houses are needed.
g. First Aid station.
If someone is hurt, then the question will come up about your lack of knowledge
to have proper first aid equipment available that would be equal to the nature of
the activity taking place.
You would be found negligent if you are not prepared.
You as a sponsor or a Host to the event you are expected to be knowledgeable about
all aspects of the environment and activities you provide.

h. Equipment and Tools Availability need to be equal to the needs of the event.

i. Materials and Expendables such as Steel, flux, Oil, Water, Punch Lube,
needs to be available.

j. Fuel such as Coal, Coke, or Propane needs to be available.
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Note:
I am guessing that about eight to ten years have passes sense I have attended a fairly large blacksmithing event.
My experience with attending a blacksmith “Hammer-in” type of event was limited to observing a small group of blacksmiths that met about every three months if I remember correctly!

Program schedule and agenda

Normal Activities usually included the following:
1. Cost to Attend: The only charge (fee) was to be a paid-up member.
2. Main Activity: One of the members of the group would demonstrate how to
make something.
3. Food was available such as a bowl of stew and a can of pop for purchase fee.
And sometime they would do something special as to have a group come in and
cook with Dutch Ovens.
4. They conducted an Iron in the hat auction after the main activity was over.
5. They also had tailgate sales before and after the main demonstration.
6. At certain point the Liberian would try to get back books and videos from people
who had not returned them.
7. Then elite would meet and to discuss “I do not know what’.

A few times I went to an annual Training type of event where a fee was charged to see a paid demonstrator, as well as membership fee’s being brought up to date, plus the additional cost to eat.
The side activities were about the same the other meetings, but at times everyone was invited to do a hands-on activity at the forge.
On occasion I have heard people on I Forge Iron talk about “Open Forge” time. I would bet it means what is says.

That is all I can remember about what takes place a Hammer-in, Gathering of blacksmiths, Convention, Conference, or what may be called by any other name that is applicable!

So I would summarize the outline of the proceedings (not in order) as follows;
1. Identification and registration, organization dues collected and charging
procedures.
2. Tailgate sales underway prior to demonstration.
3. Demonstration. (Tail-gate action stops)
4. Lunch (Tail-gate sales go back in action)
5. Back to demonstration if required. (Tail-gate action stops)
Or
5a. Open Forge
6. Liberian activity.
7. Iron in the hat auction.
8. End of Meeting
9. Tailgate sales get back into action.
10. Elite meet.
11. I go home.

The intent of this post is to aid someone else with some ideas who may want to host a Hammer-in.
I invite anyone who would provide experience and useful information to add to this post or please amend for correctness if I have miss-spoken.
Ted Throckmorton

[pkrankow]

If food is provided having some consideration for food allergies and dietary preference would be good. Having a pot-luck may or may not help some, especially if there is a very small area for the food to be set up in. Having basic cooking (microwave) is probably a good idea.

Phil

[thingmaker3]

Might be a good idea to consult with your local fire marshal or similar authority in advance. Get their input on safety protocols. Some places put a ban on certain types of fires at certain times of year.

[Frank Turley]

What happened to getting together and having fun? lol I realize that precautions must be made for a hammer-in, but it doesn't have to be run by a regional organization. There does not necessarily have to be a business meeting or an elite meeting. It could be run by one person with help from friends and/or family. It could be profit making for that person; nothing wrong with that. It's a get-together to have a good time at the anvil and to have fellowship. If Ted's from Utah and Thibeau is from Michigan, you might be looking at a quite large gathering. It could be posted on the several smithing and metalworking sites. People could RSVP or send a deposit, so that you would know how many to expect.

The demonstrator(s) could be well known. If so, they might want transportation, R&B, and an honorarium. There goes a good bit of money.

We have potlucks in New Mexico, and they seem to work well for feeding everyone.

Iron in the Hat is not a necessity, but some form of money raising should occur. It could be an auction of forged items, tools, and equipment.

People could sign waivers ref accidents. Minors would have parents or guardians sign. This could be done at registration.

I think that being near a hospital is a plus. For instance, at my place, if a student gets something in the eye, we don't frog around with eyewash, cotton swabs, and magnets. We take him or her to the Emergency Room. Now!

In any event, it is a big undertaking. There is always trash to consider, and a big cleanup afterward.

[John McPherson]

IIRC, the SBA conference in Madison, GA had a "Forklift Fee" for tailgaters to load/unload heavy items. You would need at least one designated person to provide that service, and make the buyer and seller sign a hold harmless agreement before moving items. Also pulling cars out of swamps or ditches. Don't want to sign, call triple A.

Putting up signs at nearby intersections, marking off ditches, flower beds and septic fields before parking starts, designating someone to direct parking at big events.

[Randy]

Paul Di Francesco, of Salt Lake City, Utah, and a member of the Bonneville Forge Council has hammer-ins at his place and may be able to answer many of your questions. Good guy and has the procedure down pat.

[Ted T]

Paul Di Francesco, would be a roll model for holding Hammer-ins. He would be the "GOTO' guy, and has a great shop that is well equipped.
He has conducted blacksmith gatherings of all types for many years. He knows the In's and Out's of what is needed for a sucessful event.
I feel that is why his shop is very popular.

The issue I am speaking of is when you do not have room enough in your or shop or your own property, and you need to provide everything that you would need from scratch.
As I approached people to find a suitable location, the first thing that would come up was about Liability issues of holding it on their property.
And then not having the necessary facilities available and in place to use.

I have come to the conclusion that you pretty well should have a basic setup to make it work without a lot of outside stresses.
A good point was made about food and being able to unload and load. That is the kind of suggestions I feel we need.

[rthibeau]

Gee, Ted....I just wanted an excuse to go out and visit with ya.......didn't realize I was asking for you to do so much. Maybe you can get stan (trying_it) to cater it for you???

[Ted T]

I can just immagine it now! -- ooooo000OOOO(Stan's Bigfoot "Hammer-in" Catering Service). P.S. Bring your own hammer!

[K. Bryan Morgan]

Last year we had a little get together at Frosties in Willow Lakes, Ak. It was informal. It was cheap, and it was soooooo much fun. I posted a notice on the Alaska groups website and we had 5 people show up. It was the most fun I ever had blacksmithing. I was able to watch some experienced smithing. And I was able to do a little work and practice. I think that an informal gathering of like minded people can be a great experience. Frosty is a great host and we had everyone pitch in for propane.

[Nakedanvil - Grant Sarver]

The Northwest Blacksmith Association is able to extend it's liability insurance to NWBA SANCTIONED events and hammer-ins. There is also a difference depending on whether you're charging or it's just some friends getting together.

[yesteryearforge]

I just post it in several places and do a 35 gallon pot of brunswick stew.
Usually have about 150 people show up.
Good demonstrators and light on the rules = Fun for everyone

[Fe-Wood]

Good demonstrators and light on the rules = Fun for everyone

Couldn't agree more!