LLoegrfach Posted June 5, 2007 Share Posted June 5, 2007 Hi, My wife works with a lot of schools doing art projects and ceramics. I'd like to offer a blacksmith workshop to schools too but I'm a bit concerned about insurance etc. Anybody got experience of this? When I went to school we were all taught basic forge work and I still have my crowbar lying about somewhere. Some of my strongest memories from school were from those wonderful classes and I'd love some of today's kids to be able to experience it too. Anybody run a successful workshop like this? Thanks in advance:), Richard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larry harley Posted June 5, 2007 Share Posted June 5, 2007 jim i,m chairperson of the youth program for the ABS. thats how i stumbled up those kids at French Camp i,m in the process of compileing a how to book for instructors to use in teachinmg kids see my newest post i try to theach them to work tapers first make some nails then we do large hotdog forks working taperas and twisting after that we do leaves and then i teach them to do blades none of this has been formalized in writeing but i,m working on it i wopuld appreciate any suggestions and feed back from this group harley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joseff Posted June 6, 2007 Share Posted June 6, 2007 Wow, where did you go to school? Joseff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LLoegrfach Posted June 6, 2007 Author Share Posted June 6, 2007 Hi Joseff, I went to school in Somerset in the UK - 1979 - 1984 secondary school. Everybody was taught metalwork from yr1(11 years old) to yr3(13) when you had to choose your subjects. The metalwork shop had a coal forge, a couple of anvils plus all the usual lathes, mills etc. We probably only used the forge for a couple of lessons each but they have stayed with me ever since! My sister followed through the school a few years after me but it had all changed by then so I think I was one of the last to try blacksmithing at that school. Richard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tzonoqua Posted June 6, 2007 Share Posted June 6, 2007 Hi Richard, This is something I am looking into also-or at least I plan to but it is one of those things I haven't got around to doing yet. I have just taken over a Smithy in Scotland, and I am thinking about doing this in the off season (winter!) I currently have public liability insurance with Eastlake and Beachell, they do specialist Blacksmith and Farrier insurance, I have been meaning to ring them up to see about running workshops/ having students in etc. I will report back when I do this, or perhaps you may inquire with them. Incidently, I went to school in Canada, and the boys got to do ''shop'' and make things out of wood and metal, which I was always very jealous of... Being female, I had to take ''home economics" that is- cooking and sewing... I ended up sewing a pair of shorts which ended up with one leg longer than the other...!! If only they would have let me discover my true calling then! Regards, Colleen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted June 7, 2007 Share Posted June 7, 2007 One suggestion: for younger kids projects that use bending more than change in crossection; for older kids up the ammout of cross section change. Als think of having them work in pairs so one kid can get a good grip on the piece while the other can use two hands on the hammer if necessary and then trade off. I will go as young as 10 if I doing 1 on 1 and am alternating heats with the kid. Usually though they do better if they are at least in their teens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LLoegrfach Posted June 8, 2007 Author Share Posted June 8, 2007 Colleen / Thomas, Thanks for the replies. I will speak to the insurers you recommend once I have a better idea of what I'm planning to offer! I like the idea of having a mobile shop - I have an oil-barrel sized forge with leather bellows below which is quite portable. I think this may all be an excuse to get an old Morris van and paint it up with old fashioned signage! I do a bit of woodturning too and I know of a few people that have converted vans into mobile wood workshops for schools. A handsaw is a bit lighter than an anvil though!! As far as specific projects my only concern is that anything made is as "un-weapon-like" as possible - I think fire pokers are out! I'll bear in mind your good advise too Thomas. This is a "slow burner" of an idea but I'll post any information / progress as I go along. Thanks again, Richard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larry harley Posted June 19, 2007 Share Posted June 19, 2007 Publish a teacher Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irnsrgn Posted June 19, 2007 Share Posted June 19, 2007 The first thing should be HAMMER CONTROL, Hitting where you are looking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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