Handled Struck Tools 2017

Handled Struck Tools Workshop

Minimum six students. Maximum eight students.
Instructors: Jesse Gavin, lead, assisted by Dave Gavin, Herb Fick, and probably others!
The tools made will be punches with a wire handle and chisels with a wire handle. We will offer the option to used treadle hammers supplied by the teaching staff. (Find out if you really need one of these by trying them.) Tools for the treadle hammers will be supplied.
Steel will be 5/8 and 3/4 inch round 4140 for the punches and chisels. Handles will be fabricated from ¼ and or 5/16 round CRS.
The goal of the workshop is to produce students comfortable with the process of forging and heat treating tools from tool steel. The secondary goal is to have the students comfortable with the use of treadle hammers. We forge in the morning, heat treat and install handles after lunch.
We’ve accepted that most of the time is spent focusing on understanding the heat treat process. There will be enough stock so we can encourage you to make a couple of serious mistakes and still go home with real tools to use or to offer for the next “iron in the hat”.
Power grinders are supplied by Duggan, Gavin, BtW © and Fick.
Bring your favorite hammers, tongs suitable for the stock if you have them, and eye and ear protection. Bring your basic safety gear (leather, cotton, gloves, and safety shoes).
The building will be open by 8 am, introductions and coffee will start at 8:30, in the shop by 9 AM. We usually finish just before 5 pm.
History:
Last year we used three different treadle hammers for the eight students. For reference, probable students are invited to question former students including: George Auel, Wayne Olson, Jim Moenck, Larry Hilton, or Bob Brown.
This class has been going annually for quite a while and has always filled. Credit for that goes to Jesse and Dave.
To register for this class: put your name, phone number, email and residential address on piece of paper, fold it up with a check for $85 made out to “Guild of Metalsmiths” and mail to Herb Fick, who will manage the class.
Herb Fick
519 East Eighth Street
Northfield MN 55057-2508
507 663 0569 or 507 649 1611 (cell)
herb@phyque.com
Acceptance for this class will be prioritized by postmark.