BALCONES FORGE

Blacksmiths of Central Texas

August 2002

Larry Crawford-President Gerald Pollard-Treasurer

Jerry Achterberg-Vice President Vince Herod-Editor Harvey Wise-Secretary

From the Prez

We had a great turnout for the July meeting; and many thanks to Mr. Lars Stanley for hosting and for demonstrating the construction of his garden gate. Lars has been one of the premier blacksmiths in Austin for many years and I know many members were interested in visiting his studio.

Dr. Gerald Pollard will host the August meeting and from what I hear, he will gladly accept volunteers to help with the shop cleanup.

The word is out that we may have a meeting this fall dedicated to making “Smithin’ Magicians”, indispensable tools for any blacksmith. This project is now in the works and we will hear more about it at Gerald’s.

Meeting Info

Gerald Pollard (Balcones Forge Treasurer and ABANA Board candidate) will host this month’s meeting on Saturday August 31^st. Details for the agenda have not been released in time for this issue to go to print. Start time of 9:30 am. A map is posted elsewhere in this issue.

Corrected Member Info

The postal address listed last month for Mary Jo Emrick had a typo. Her actual address is:

I still do not have a correct address of either kind for Troy DeFrates. Anybody know?

Lastly, the newsletter sent to our contact in west Texas, Pat Cheatham of San Angelo, was “returned to sender”. Any folks out west know what happened to Pat?

Secretary’s Report

The July meeting was held in Austin on the 27th at Lars Stanley's shop. There were 34 people present at the meeting with 4 being guests. President Larry Crawford called the meeting to order at 9:45 am. There were several announcements made with Vince talking about the club bylaws and organizational structure along with several changes that we need to address. Harvey brought up that officer elections are coming up in October and that we need to be sure that officer nominations are in the September newsletter. So if you want to nominate someone or want to be an officer let your Secretary know so we can get it in the newsletter. John Crouchet gave at short and to the point talk about the club’s Library, the new books that are available and also the books that are overdue. John is doing a very good job of maintaining our Library but needs all our help to it running smoothly.

Lars started his part of the meeting with a talk about the various equipment he has in his shop where he located some of it and how uses it to it's best advantage. Then Lars and his helper Clayton forged several different components needed to make a garden gate. It was an excellent demo as they used both of the big power hammers that Lars has in his shop also a big mandrel press set up to bend 90 degree corners.

Due to nature of the meeting there was no trade item this month but the Iron in the Hat auction brought in $83.00 for the club.

The next meeting will be held at Gerald Pollards. See you all next month, Harvey.

Upcoming Events

AUGUST 24-25 - Second Annual Hammer-In at Bill Epps Shoppe in Balch Springs. Demonstrators: Bill Epps, Leah Fuller and (possibly) Ruben Ramirez. FREE, BBQ lunch provided on Sat. See directions and details on the NTBA website.

SEPTEMBER 7-8. NTBA Hammerfest (Note: this date has been changed to the first Saturday, Sept 7-8). Hammerfest will feature Chris Winterstein at the Sid Richardson Scout Ranch in Bridgeport. Chris has served as intern at the National Ornamental Metal Museum and more recently as instructor at Penland, Peters Valley and John C. Campbell. For registration and a map to Hammerfest, contact Verl Underwood, 613 N. Bailey, Ft. Worth, TX 76107-1005; (817) 626-5909, <vaunder@aol.com>.

The dates have been set for the Fall Hammer-In & Knifemakers Rendezvous here in New Braunfels, Texas for September 21-22. Although the final agenda hasn't been set yet, we'd like to invite any and all of you to attend. We're not having a TKCA meeting, since general membership meetings are scheduled for The Central Texas Knife Show in Austin, and the Spirit of Steel Show in Mesquite. Contact me direct at 830-606-4067, or email me at jlstout@stoutknives.com if you aren't on the mailing list and I'll make sure to send you an application. Spread the word!! Hope to see many of you here.

BALCONES FORGE: Rumor has it that the September 28^th meeting will take place in Llano, Texas at Pheil Forge. That’s Bob’s place!

SEPTEMBER 27- OCTOBER 20. State Fair of Texas, Dallas. Blacksmiths, silversmiths, weavers and quilters are invited to demonstrate. The location is the Daughters of the American Revolution House in NW corner of the Fair grounds where a tent is being set up for the demo area at the north west area. Sales are not permitted but good business contacts are easily available. This is our second year at the location. Dates are Sept. 27 - Oct. 20, (most importantly on weekends and Fridays). As of 7/8/02, three blacksmiths, a silversmith and a woodcarver are scheduled to demo. Clothing relating to the 1850 period is requested. To demonstrate and receive a free pass, contact David W. Wilson <dwwilson@flash.net> 972-727-7728. See a map and list of events on the State Fair website at www.bigtex.com.

IronFest will be May 29 - June 1, 2003, at the Grapevine Heritage Center. The 2003 conference will continue the successful format, including the open to the public, fabulous tailgate area and free demonstrations. A separate fee area will present an incredible group of demonstrators including Toby Hickman, Susan Hutchinson, David Court and Mark Pearce. More information about these blacksmiths including photos of their ironwork and biographies are available at ironfest.org. Auctioneer, David Cornett will entertain the audience at the Saturday night auction in the Heritage Center Farmers Market Building. Please contact the Ironfest Registrar to be included on the mail list and receive a registration brochure. Contact Verl Underwood, IronFest Registrar, 613 N. Bailey, Fort Worth Texas 76107 <vaunder@aol.com>.

Trade Item

Gerald says you have a choice for this month’s trade item. You can make either a paper towel holder or a toilet paper roll holder.

Elections

Well it is about that time of year; time to vote the rascals out. We are still operating under our old by-laws as a guideline so that makes October the month to elect a slate of officers.

Please send any nominations to our Secretary, Harvey Wise in time for submission to the September newsletter.

Albert Paley Burned

Albert was up in the air in a bucket style man lift doing torch work on a sculpture. He was way up in the air when a hose ruptured. The fuel gas (propane) went to the bottom of the lift bucket where he stood. Albert simultaneously put the flames out himself and got down from the lift. Medical units were on site immediately, as was Francis who was then able to ride with him in the ambulance to the hospital. He was taken to Strong Memorial Burn Unit. He has very seriously burned but he is making good progress. His left hand was badly burned. Fortunately it was to the skin layers and not the muscle layers. His ear, cheeks and part of his legs were burned as well. He was scheduled for surgery today but they saw new growth of cells and postponed surgery to watch and see if he could re-generate most of the necessary cells himself rather than have skin grafts. He heals very quickly from burns based on past experience. Albert was wearing his full heavy leather gear, goggles for eye protection, good hair protection, gloves and masks suitable for the job. He was doing everything correctly to protect himself but the hose simply burst. Propane being heavier than air, then spilled into the bottom of the lift under his feet and burst into flames. Albert is in complete control of his mind and insists upon writing down everything that comes across it. There isn't anyone more determined than Albert to get out of there and back to work. This will be a long haul and it is distressing but Albert will be alright. Albert continues to grow new cells in the burned areas and once again surgery has been postponed. It is hoped that he will be able to re-generate his own cells and avoid skin grafts. This is very good news. He and Frances and Kimberly thank every one profusely for their prayers, vigils and prayer chains. It is a wonderful feeling for Albert to know he has so many friends going through this with him. Cards and well wishes can be sent to the:

E-Mail messages can be sent here at anvilart@jps.net and I will print them all and send them to Francis.

Please continue with prayers, this is something that he needs very much right now and God answers Knee-Mail.

Great news! Albert has been upgraded to "stable" and has been removed from intensive care. He met for two hours with his head men and discussed the current job they are finishing. He was up for a short time and we are really thanking God for this. Albert's daughter Kimberly and his wife Francis asked me to let you know that all of your prayers and well wishes are precious to them.

Albert had surgery for skin grafts to his left hand, knees and stomach last evening. Please keep those prayers cards and thoughts coming, Albert has a long recovery ahead. The skin grafts are healing and Albert is doling better! He can eat a little now and with the new skin covering his wounds, there is a little less pain. Yes! Yes! Yes! Albert is going to go home sometime this coming week!!! Not out of the woods yet but home is good!!!

Work Opportunity

Extending invitation to any blacksmiths who want to come down and hammer some iron. Selling wares will be allowed, with a 15% donation going to the event. (A script system will be set up where the visitors will buy script, and make their purchases with it. The vendors can cash the script in at end of day and receive check minus 15%.

For Sale

Safety First

It has been noted that many folks are not bringing safety glasses to wear while watching the demonstrations. This is NOT an option. You will be asked to move away from the demonstration if you are not wearing proper eye protection.

Book Review

There is little doubt that Samuel Yellin was the greatest American blacksmith of all time. If you are not yet familiar with Yellin’s history and his work, then you are overdue for reading Samuel Yellin, Metalworker, by Jack Andrews. This 115 page book details the life of Yellin, but it is mostly a picture book of many of Yellin’s great creations; various commissions for the J.P. Morgan estate, the Washington Cathedral, the Sears estate, St Patrick’s Cathedral, the Vanderbilts, the Eastmans, and the Guggenheim residence. Yes, Yellin’s client list reads like a “Who’s Who” of the rich and famous in America during the first quarter of the 1900’s. His work was renowned and treasured, even during his own lifetime. And, yes, he was also very successful financially, something that has eluded most blacksmiths throughout history. Why was Samuel Yellin so very very successful? Just skim through the pictures of his work and you will have your answer. These are creations beyond any other ironwork you have ever seen. They are intricate almost beyond possibility, many of his gothic details appearing to be lace or braid. They are also huge constructions in many cases. The entrance gate for the Packard Building (1924) was five or six times the height of a man and stretched across thirty feet. Every inch of it was detailed and decorated. This is ironwork at its most awesome. The author of this book, Jack Andrews, is a celebrated blacksmith in his own right. Andrews is best known as the author of New Edge of the Anvil. He has also worked in Yellin’s workshop (with Francis Whitaker) and understands firsthand the challenge of blacksmithing on this level. He is the right man to pick and choose among Yellin’s work to show you what is truly important about this ironwork.

Super Quench

Our own Balcones Forge member Kamber Sokulsky is a Shaklee distributor. You can reach Kamber at 512/264-3340 or kamber@enduring.com.

Please contact me by phone or e-mail by August 15th, and can be made available to you by the August 31st Balcones Meeting.

Anyone interested in a copy of the CD of photos from this year's ABANA conference, which include photos of the demonstrations, the member's gallery as well as photos from the demonstrator's gallery exhibit that was featured the Thursday evening of the conference at the Pump House, please contact me by phone or e mail and let me know, so I can bring copies to the next (August) meeting. These are very cheap to copy and are free of charge!

It is time to register for the fall semester blacksmithing classes at Austin Community College. Our own Balcones Forge members, Bill Bastas and Larry Crawford will be teaching some very hands-on classes, ranging from beginning blacksmithing to hardware building, advanced techniques, and even powerhammer classes for those of you who crave the crash of big machinery! Larry will be teaching beginning blacksmithing classes and traditional hardware Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5:00 to 7:30 and 7:40 to 10:00. Bill will teach basic through advanced smithing from 1:30 to 4:00 Monday and Wednesday afternoons, as well as 9:30 to 2:30 on Saturdays. In addition, powerhammer classes will run from 5:00 to 7:30 Monday and Wednesday evenings. These sixteen-week courses are a real bargain, too! If you live in the ACC district (Austin, Manor, or Leander), you will only pay about 96 bucks in tuition, plus another 15 or 25 bucks in fees and charges. Even you out-of-district folks can get in for about $243 in tuition (and another $15 to $25 in various fees). This is a real deal for a sixteen-week course in a very well equipped facility with these terrific teachers. Have you seen the prices for blacksmithing short courses around the country? The prices I have seen for a ONE WEEK course will take a mighty big bite out of the checkbook! For a whole lot less, you can have a full semester course right here at home.

Check it out at http://www.austin.cc.tx.us/>www.austin.cc.tx.us and look for the fall course schedule. Blacksmithing courses are listed under “Welding Technology”. Beginning blacksmithing is called “Metalsmithing” and is course number WLDG 2433. Powerhammer is called “Powerhammer” and is course number WLDG 2411. You will need Bill’s authorization to register for classes on the big powerhammers. For that, or other information about the classes, call Bill at 512-223-6699 or email him at <mailto:wbastas@austincc.edu>wbastas@austincc.edu

Don’t wait. Registration is going on now through August 21st (28th for you senior citizens). Classes fill up fast, but Bill and Larry have a soft spot for Balcones Forge members, so give them a call!

Note: For those of us who have not seen the inside of a schoolhouse in many years and don’t know anything about TASP tests, ACT tests, COMPASS tests, or any other test, don’t miss this opportunity because you are worried about college admission requirements. Ask Bill about quick and easy enrollment through the “Workforce Admissions Program”.

Overdue

There are a few of you out there with WAY overdue books from our library. You know who you are and now so will everyone else.

Tony Ahuero, James Honig and John Van Strien; please report to the librarian’s office and get right with the world.