DKForge Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 Attending first guild meeting this weekend. Not sure what to take for Iron in the hat since I have never done this before. What have you taken for Iron in the hat? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piglet_74 Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 My first one I put a left over piece of 1 1/2" square by about 10" long on the table. It was too big for me to do anything with but I'm sure someone with a power hammer had some fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merl Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 What exactly is "Iron in the Hat" ? I have heard this mentioned many times else ware but never sure what the purpose of it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piglet_74 Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 I was just at my first one a few weeks ago at our guild meeting. The way they did it was you gave them the iron and they would put a solo cup next to it. then you bought tickets say $1 for each. Then you could put as many in any cup as you wish. Later someone pulls the ticket for the winner of that cup/piece of iron. So the more you spend and the more you put in a cup the better odds you have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DKForge Posted March 3, 2009 Author Share Posted March 3, 2009 To add to what piglet said it is used to raise money for the guild. Members donate items and the guild sells tickets to the members to try and win something someone else brought. Since I have never done this before I was looking for advice from others on what to take as a donation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeaverDamForge Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 (edited) Basically it's a raffle with many objects, some of them scrap iron, some forged pieces. I started out bringing boxes of spikes, but I noticed they got fewer and fewer tickets as the club members got all they wanted. Then I started bringing other items like an axle, a leaf or coil spring, etc. As I got some practice I started bringing things I'd made - candleholders, knives, a backscratcher, etc. along with some scrap iron. Won my first pair of tongs at the first meeting I attended, that worked out well (with a bunch of tickets in that cup). It's a nice opportunity to show off your work and win items made by others. Edited March 3, 2009 by BeaverDamForge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Hammer Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 In general, it should be OK to put anything in Iron in the Hat that someone would want or could use. Personally, I like to see folks put in something they made. I like to have things my friends have forged. If you aren't into forging yet, you might consider some steel, tools (blacksmith.. or not), baked goods, plants, gloves.... whatever.... as long as it's useful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnW Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 DKForge, put in anything or nothing at all. I know that doesn't sound like good information, but that's exactly right. We've had guys feel generous and put in a couple hundred dollars worth of steel. Of course there's all kinds of miscellanious scraps of steel, most of it not very interesting (but then that's probably just me) all steel has some use. Don't kill yourself, but if youv'e got something useful you can spare -- great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DKForge Posted March 3, 2009 Author Share Posted March 3, 2009 Cool thanks guys that helps me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Dean Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 If you have 2 of something, put one in the INH. USEFUL steel, bag or bucket of coal, NICE wood for knife handles--piece of cherry? I have seen just about everything, EVEN some items that had Francis Whitakers touch mark on them!! I notified the guild's Pres. as to what those items were and how valuable they are and they were pulled to make a display board for the guild. (would have been nice to have one of the prs of tongs that had his TM!) There is not too many items that won't be wanted by someone! so you can't go wrong no matter what you donate. Good luck, hope you get something you need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keykeeper Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 (edited) Pretty much what everyone has said. Thomas Dean summed it up nicely. Here's a few pics of some stuff at one hammer-in I attended. Note the diversity of items, from large steel whatchamacallits, what-have-ya's, hammer handles, air tools, lantern, etc. One good win at IITH at a Hammer-in and you will be hooked. One of the funnest parts of blacksmithing, IMHO. Edited March 3, 2009 by keykeeper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oakwoodironworks Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 Iron-in-the -Hat is a great fund raiser for our guild. We probably average $200-300 per meeting x 12 meetings per year so it brings in a lot of money which is used to fund scholarships, etc. You never know what will show up. Makes it interesting. Forged items are always well received. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unkle spike Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 I have seen a grocery bag of green beans someone picked from their garden in Iron in the Hat. Suprisingly, or not, they received a good deal of tickets. As others have said, use your imagination. Grinding wheels for 4" grinders, gloves, just about anything will generate interest, and if your guild meetings include wives, some items for the ladies are always welcome too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
divermike Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 When and if you have time, auctions have been great for iron in the hat for me, I scored a pallet of old rivets, and those are always acceptible to donate, old but usable hammers, chisels, plow disks are very well accepted, one guy makes woks out of them here. We see everything at ours, hats, books, chain mail key rings, you name it. If no one puts a ticket in your cup, it sucked, thats all folks... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeaverDamForge Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 One good win at IITH at a Hammer-in and you will be hooked.I won a post vice at one! One of the funnest parts of blacksmithing, IMHO. Unfortunately my club has gone to a 50/50 raffle at recent events - the winner gets 50% of the money from tickets sold, which amounts to a streetcorner lottery. I have nothing against others gambling, but I'm not going to participate. ... if your guild meetings include wives, some items for the ladies are always welcome too!Even if the members have wives or GFs, gifts for them are good! I've won a couple items specifically for the GF. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Dean Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 .... We see everything at ours, hats, books, chain mail key rings, you name it. If no one puts a ticket in your cup, it sucked, thats all folks... Yep, if it don't go then don't bring it to the next IITH! But I've never seen that happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Dean Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 I won a post vice at one! Unfortunately my club has gone to a 50/50 raffle at recent events - the winner gets 50% of the money from tickets sold, which amounts to a streetcorner lottery. I have nothing against others gambling, but I'm not going to participate. Even if the members have wives or GFs, gifts for them are good! I've won a couple items specifically for the GF. I agree, IMO IITH is for the club/guild, NOT for some luck individual. I too would not participate. my $.02 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 (edited) Another method is the straight draw: all items on the table all tickets in 1 vessel, draw the first ticket they get first choice, second ticket second choice, usw... How we did it at SOFA and do it at SWABA Edited March 3, 2009 by ThomasPowers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oak Hill Forge Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 Of course buying lots of tickets supports the cause as well. Be creative... the last one I was at somebody offered a large roll of paper and a butane lighter, and called it a "coal forge starting kit" that was funny ! or there was a nice UK Stout called "Lump of Coal" with a nice hand forged bottle opener.......... which my 12 year old happened to win... go figure ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DKForge Posted March 4, 2009 Author Share Posted March 4, 2009 Thanks for all the great responses. D- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddie Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 I assume you are coming to the OBG meeting. The guild always does the iron in the hat as a way to pay for the meals we provide at all our meetings. We also will give you 5 extra tickets if you bring a hand forged item. Let me know who you are at the meeting. It will be held at my shop. See ya Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddie Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 This is how we pay for our meals that we provide at all our meetings. We also give 5 free tickets for hand forged items:D. Just a teaser to keep everyone in the fires.:rolleyes: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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