BALCONES FORGE
Blacksmiths of Central Texas
October 2002
Larry Crawford-President Gerald Pollard-Treasurer
Jerry Achterberg-Vice President Vince Herod-Editor Harvey Wise-Secretary
From the Prez
Bob Pheil put together a good meeting way out west in Llano. Bob showed us how
he does a "steel magnolia". After being in Bob's well organized shop
made me realize I've got some work to do in my own shop. Thanks to Bob for a job
well done and I'll make sure the Coffee King or Queen makes it to your next
meeting.
October's meeting will be a working affair so come with your money for a Balcones Forge style Smithin Magician kit. Wear your work clothes & safety gear. Vince Herod and Tom Lupton are putting together kits for the guillotine tools and they have it all engineered for trouble-free assembly (not much anyway). So show up and take home a fine blacksmithing tool.
I'd like to call a brief officers meeting for October to discuss a few topics. We are getting closer to our winter workshop and need to discuss our options for the club as far as benefiting our membership with the abundant treasury we enjoy right now.
November's meeting will be hosted by John Horrigan our resident knife maker and Austin Fireman. John will do some fancy pattern welded steel.
Thanks, L. C.
Meeting Info
Come to the Austin Lyric Opera's Scene Shop for all fun at this month's meeting.
A map is included as usual so you can find your way. Please do not park in the
front of the building because that is the Ford dealerships parts department and
they are the landlord. The meeting will officially start at 9:30 am so every one
has plenty of time to get to the meeting.
While the tool making part of the day is what most folks seem most interested in; do not forget that officer elections is the important business of the day.
Secretary's Report
On Sat. Sept. 28 the regular monthly meeting of Balcones Forge was held in Llano
Texas at the shop of Bob Phiel. We started the meeting with some discussion
about our clubs incorporation efforts and how all that is progressing. Also some
talk about the yearly demo that is right around the corner, right after the
start of next year. Vince gave info on upcoming Salt Fork Blacksmith's
Conference. Dave Koening gave report on upcoming HABA events.
Bob Phiel was this month's featured demonstrator. He started out the demo with several safety tips that really hit the spot. Bob then got to the main project that was the forging of a Steel Magnolia. Bob had handouts with the patterns he uses, and he starts with plasma cut pieces of 14ga material. After several trips from the forge to the swage block and anvil he had a very well made Magnolia.
The trade Item for September was a steak turner and we had 7 show up of different sizes and shapes and everyone that traded went home happy with the one they ended up with.
The Iron in the Hat auction had 4 items in it and brought in $82 for the
treasury.
Next months meeting will be in Austin and will be the Smithing Magician workshop hosted by Vince. November meeting is going to be hosted by John Horrigan of Burnet,Texas.
There were 23 members and 1 guest present at the meeting. See ya'll at the next one, Harvey.
Upcoming Events
The November meeting of Balcones Forge will be on the 23rd. NOTE THE DATE. This
is one week earlier than our standard arrangement.
John Horrigan will be demonstrating pattern-welded steel at his shop in Burnet,
Texas. John does some amazing work so this is a meeting not to be missed. NOTE
THE DATE!
New Member
Gene Morris
P. O. Box 26039
Austin, TX 78755
512-444-6555
genemorrishomes@aol.com
NTBA will hold it's November meeting on the 9th. The location is the Edgewood 25th annual Log Cabin Christmas Bazaar. NTBA will demo for the third year at this fabulous bazaar. Edgewood Heritage Park at North Houston & Elm in Edgewood. 903-896-1940. Edgewood is located about 60 miles East of Dallas, 10 miles North of Canton on Highway 80.
NOVEMBER HABA MEETING - ROB LYON DEMONSTRATOR
Rob Lyon, Master Blacksmith from Old Sturbridge Village, MA is coming to Houston
for a lecture Friday evening November 15th and demonstrations and a workshop
Saturday the 16th and more demonstrations Sunday the 17th. The lecture will be
held in the church of the Tomball Museum Center, 7:00 PM. The public is invited
and there is no charge for the lecture. The Saturday and Sunday demonstrations
and workshop Saturday evening will be at Robert Killbuck's shop in Magnolia, TX.
The charge for two days of demonstrations and the workshop will be $25.
There will be a reduced charge for Teachers $15 and Students $10. Additional
details and directions to the Tomball Museum and Robert Killbuck's shop will be
in the October edition of The HABA Letter. See the HABA website for more info or
get in touch with Dave Koenig.
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>.
Bob Pheil addresses the crowd at the September meeting. Photo By Harry Cabluck.
Trade Item
For the month of October it is declared that the trade item shall be "an
object made from a rail road spike".
Elections
Now is the time to make your voice heard. Officer elections should not be taken
lightly. It is no small task to run an outfit like ours and every member should
show their support for the club by showing up to vote. If you don't vote; what
right do you have to complain?
Russian Anvils
John Korb has found some pretty nice cast-steel anvils for sale at Harbor
Freight. He reports that these Russian-made anvils are the double horn pattern
with a 4" x 12" face. Hardy hole is 1-1/8" with a 3/8"
pritchel hole.
These anvils can be had for $64 dollars if an order for ten or more is placed.
John has seen one of the anvils and says they seem to be a pretty good anvil for the money. We can discuss a group order at the October meeting.
For Sale
1984 white Toyota truck for sale.
Could be great little work/welding truck with
a rebuilt engine that's still cranking!!
$2600 or best offer.
Call Kamber Sokulsky at 512/264-3340 or at 512/779-8906 for more info.
Gary Hilton sends this info on hammers and coke.
Bill Givens of Ingram, TX has two power hammers for sale.
1. Meyer 50 lb (1919) $2990 mechanical hammer.
2. Kayne Big Blu 100 lb air hammer (1999) $3500.
A photo of these hammers is on
Bill's website www.givensmetalcrafts.com under used equipment. Bill's contact is
info@givensmetalcrafts.com or 830-367-2452.
Also, George Craig still has tons of coke for sale. I bought 1000 lbs a week ago for $125. This is a good buy and I like the coke.
From the NTBA newsletter.
Bill Epps video tapes for sale. The tapes are:
#1 Animal heads.
#2 Tong making
#3 Leaves and flowers.
#4 Birds and bugs.
The price of volumes 1,2 and 4 is $24.95. Volume 3 is $32.95 or a complete set
is available at $100.00. Shipping and handling charge is $5.00 per tape but no
more than $10 dollars for the complete four-volume set. All major credit cards
accepted as well as checks and the ever-popular cash. The tape can be purchased
from Bill Epps at 972-557-5778 or from Love of Art Productions,
www.teachingtapes.net
1-800-382-5967, pin # 00.
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
Another Winner from Dona Meilach!
You may know Dona Meilach as the author of Architectural Ironwork and The Contemporary Blacksmith, the two finest ironwork picture books on the market. Well, folks, make that three-in-a-row! Ms. Meilach proves once again that she has the recipe for success with Fireplace Accessories, her latest venture into the world of iron art.
This new book shows 251 pages of glorious ironwork from the world's
blacksmithing "A-team". These pieces are all related to the fireplace,
including firescreens, fireplace surrounds, log and kindling racks, and
fireplace tools and stands. If you thought there was nothing new in the world of
fireplace tools, you are in for a surprise. Here are the fresh ideas of Michael
Bondi, Lars Stanley, Frederic Crist, Tom Joyce, Big Jim Wallace, Dorothy
Stiegler, John Medwedeff, Corrina Mensoff, Maegan Crowley, Bob Bergman, Steve
Lopes, and Michael Saari, forming a sort
"Who's Who" of contemporary ironwork. Of course, Dona Meilach always
has depth to her work, so this book also includes a historical background and
work from Sam Yellin and many of the greats who preceded him.
Limited entirely to fireplace work, this new book lacks the breadth of Architectural Ironwork, but none of the glamour. These are big, glossy, well done professional photos of things you have never imagined until now. Different approaches to tools and tool mounting, firescreens and surrounds, all designed in very different and unusual ways. This book will open your mind to a whole array of new ideas for fireplace work.
This book was highly recommended to me by Norm Larson last summer at the La
Crosse conference. Publication was delayed for some months after that, but this
book's arrival proved, once again, old Norm knows what he is taking about. This
is one of those pricey fifty-buck books, but it's worth every penny. Give Norm a
call at 800-743-4766 and order
Fireplace Accessories for your own blacksmithing library. That's what I plan to
do as soon as I email this book report to Vince!
John Crouchet
Librarian, Balcones Forge
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.
Basic I Cleaner is still available to anyone needing it:
1 qt. = $10.15
1 gallon = $23.35
30 gallons = 602.80 (a lot of super quench)