Spring Conference/Western States Conference

[Michael]

Great Spring Conference! There was more to see and do than I was able to take in. The E.A. Chase exhibit was amazing, with large scale photos of the gates he's made and the drawings the they were based on.  Got to see a japanese box bellows in action, try some drop tong welding, make a SeaHawk bottle opener (and me surrounded by Packers and 49ers' fans) at Darryl Nelson's direction.

Best of all, got my first attempt at using a power hammer.  A Nazel 2B, very finely tuned up (I was told by other smiths) by Mark Krause.  Great fun!