Pattro Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 Hey, I've been smithing for a few months now, mostly been working on getting down SOR, tapers and drawing material out. I have been lurking on IFI for a while but figured it was finally time to join. I plan on joining CBA after the first of the year and if any smiths in ventura or north west LA county are willing to meet up sometime, I would love for the opportunity to learn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chinobi Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 Welcome! I can't actually see profile location on my phone so disregard if you beat me to it, but put your general location (Ventura, downtown LA, woodland hills, that level of detail) in your profile so we can narrow it down. As you can see I'm up in Ventura, if you are looking for some classroom level instruction you would do very well to hit up Adam's Forge in Griffith Park, LA. That's the advice I got, and I have been taking classes from them for a little over a year. Great staff and good equipment to learn on. You JUST missed Mark Aspery teaching his 5 day Mastering the Fundamentals course at the end of October, but he should be coming back next year around the same time. Taking that class was probably the best money I have invested in smithing to date. Gotta go be sociable, but welcome aboard again, hope to cross hammers with you sometime in the near future! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Coke Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 Greetings and welcome Pat, Pictures of your set up and your practice pieces are always nice.. As you know the smiths on this sight are very helpful and will offer you the best help and encouragement that's possible. I have been at it for 40 years and when I started there was now help available let alone the internet or cell phones. Practice Practice Practice is the answer.. Good luck and have fun Forge on and make beautiful things Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoCal Dave Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 Pattro: Welcome to blacksmithing. I'm in Simi Valley. One day you, Chinobi, and I must get together. What blacksmithing equipment do you have? The Adam's Forge suggestion is good advice. Good luck. David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pattro Posted November 21, 2013 Author Share Posted November 21, 2013 chinobi, I'm in Thousand Oaks. I am familiar with adams forge and want to take classes there but unfortunately have been unable to get a spot in the discovery day pre req for the last three months, but I'll keep trying. SoCal Dave, I'm currently rocking a 55gal forge which I am about to rebuild. My anvil is a really old 80lb peter wright, I would like bigger but at just over $1lb I really couldn't pass it up. I also got a solid leg vise. I am also in the process of designing and setting up a more permanent shop. It is looking like a simple structure with tin walls on three sides and a roof but that is up in the air. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chinobi Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 Yea they got crazy busy the last few months, and there was a crossed wire between the staff and paypal so I know at least one discovery day got massively double booked and a second class was added on the day after. Get your slot about a month ahead of time and you should be good, they have a limited number they can fit safely (12ish?) so it books up fairly quick. Have you looked into trying to make one of the discovery *nights* on Thursday night? If that doesn't wildly conflict with work that would be another option. Get yourself a copy of Aspery's Mastering the Fundamentals Vol 1, Lorelei Simm's The Backyard Blacksmith or skim the book review section if you want some reading material to practice from too. Sounds like you are off to a good start! it would be fun to link up with other southern California people at some point too :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pattro Posted November 21, 2013 Author Share Posted November 21, 2013 Unfortunately the discovery nights are the same story.. I could make it but they're booked up as well. I have mastering the fundamentals v.1 and the new edge of the anvil, i will look into the backyard blacksmith. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chinobi Posted November 21, 2013 Share Posted November 21, 2013 Ah nuts, that's a bummer = keep at it though, you'll get there :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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