From the Prez

June’s meeting, hosted by Doc Fadzen, came off quite well and Doc and Bill Bastas showed us all how to turn an old piece of pipe into a flower! Thanks Doc, for both hosting and demoing!!

Over lunch, we had an officer’s meeting and decided to get Balcones Forge into a more legitimate legal condition (as in officially non-profit and incorporated). I have contacted an attorney and that process is now underway. Special thanks go to Vince Herod and the many other members who have worked diligently to get us this far along.

Our guest speaker/demonstrator and host for this month is renowned Austin architect and blacksmith Lars Stanley. Lars will elucidate for us the relationship of the blacksmith/metal artist with professional architects and contractors on a project. In addition, Lars will demonstrate power hammer artistry and technique on large mechanical hammers and will discuss his latest creation, destined for the scenic shores of Town Lake.

Lars is known for his Mission style and Arts and Crafts style work. Many of his pieces can be seen in prominent places in Austin.

The meeting will begin at 9:30 am and will adjourn at 1:00 pm. Lars’ studio is located at 2007 Kinney, off South Lamar, just south of Oltorf. See you there!

Meeting Info

Lars’ shop is on the north side of the street, about 3/4 of a block west down Kinney from South Lamar. Kinney is just south of where Oltorf runs into South Lamar. The studio is behind his house. Parking is somewhat tight therefore carpooling, bicycling, or personal helicopters have been suggested.

Doc hosting the June meeting. Photo by Gerald Pollard.

Corrected Member Info

Heidi Epp

PO Box 619,

Arroyo Hondo, NM 87513

heidi@micaview.com

Mary Jo Emrick

4704 Rustown Drive

Austin, TX 78727

mjemrick@arlut.utexas.edu

John Van Strien

P. O. Box 3808

Austin, TX 78764-3808

512-657-7041 hm

ltholt@earthlink.net

e-mail for Todd Holt

Brad Casey (NEW MEMBER)

1426 Tomahawk

Kingsland, TX 78639

915-388-8578

Secretary’s Report

The June meeting was held on June 29th at The Iron Tulip the shop of John "Doc" McFadzen. President Larry Crawford called the meeting to order at 9:30 am. After a few announcements, we started the meeting with good and colorful report on the recent ABANA conference in Lacrosse Wisconsin, given by Larry Stevens.

Doc talked about the metal shear that he has in his shop. A very handy tool to have. After that he started his demo on forging pipe with the help of a power hammer. With the combo dies he had in his hammer he was able to neck down then use the other end of the die as a fullering tool to start the tulip he was going to make as his main demo. With the help of the Master Blacksmith Bill Bastas they split the end of the form to shape and spread the leaves, they made a larger leaf with long stem to wrap around the tulip.

Bill also showed how to scroll a piece of 3/4 square stock after tapering under power hammer. Doc Forged a Chili pepper out of a piece of pipe.

The trade item was a tool that was made by whoever brought it to the meeting and offered it for trade. We had 13 Trade items in all Chisels, Hot cuts, Hardy tools, Travelers, Punches and a very nice pair of Tongs.

We had 9 items in The Iron in the Hat auction there was wood blocks, brake drum, the Pepper and Tulip that was made at the demo, scrap steel, a Massage and a one cylinder air compressor; all of which brought in $105.00 for the Treasury.

We had 44 people sign in and thus seemed to be the largest crowd we've had for a while there were 7 quests present, 37 members.

It was a fun trip to Austin as we all got go to Stretch's big sale after the meeting was over. See you all next month.

Harvey

Upcoming Events

AUGUST 24-25 - Second Annual NTBA 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 on the NTBA website, more details when available will be posted.

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>.

This just in from our friend Johnny Stout.

Guadalupe Forge Fall Hammer-In & Knifemakers Rendezvous.

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.

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

Due to tight time schedule for this month’s meeting there will be no trade item.

Bad E-mail

It seems that Gerald and I have incorrect e-mail addresses for a few members. Please be sure and let both of us now if you have a change of e-mail (or any other info).

For now, we need current info from:

Troy DeFrates

Thanks for your help in keeping our information current.

Video Review

Love of Art Productions now has available four videotapes by our friend and demonstrator, Bill Epps. At the recent ABANA conference, we acquired all four for the Balcones Forge library and they are available for checkout to the first four lucky winners!

Bill's tapes include "Making Tongs", Bugs and Birds", Leaves and Flowers", and "Forged Animal Heads". These tapes are professionally produced and well done. The photography is clear and fine points are clearly demonstrated with both illustrations and close up camera shots.

Bill is an experienced teacher of blacksmithing and his smithing and teaching ability is evident in these videos. He explains and demonstrates clearly so that even beginners will easily follow his instructions. Once you watch these tapes, I cannot guarantee that you will wind up blacksmithing on Bill's level, but I can certainly assure you that you will learn a lot you don't know now!

These tapes are also all available for purchase online at www.teachingtapes.net or by calling 1(800) 382-5967 (pin # 00).

John Crouchet, Balcones Forge Librarian

Super Quench

If you are still searching for the elusive Shaklee Basic “I”, then search no more. Our own Balcones Forge member Kamber Sokulsky is a Shaklee distributor. You can reach Kamber at 512/264-3340 or kamber@enduring.com.