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7418 Branch Point
Houston, TX 77095-2649

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To Preserve and Promote the Art and Craft of Blacksmithing Through Education.

Welcome to HABAIRON.ORG, the website of the Houston Area Blacksmith's Association, the Internet resource of choice for the blacksmith in and around Houston, Texas. We have the technology!

August 20, 2005

The Blacksmith Legacy Tree Project

Alfonso and Pam Albacete
Extreme Metal Works in Beaumont

The August 20, 2005, HABA Meeting will be a Hammer-in at Beaumont, TX. For several years HABA and LAMA talked about having a joint meeting in the Beaumont area which is about half the distance between the two groups. Jerry Baker identified a meeting location at the shop of Alfonso and Pam Albacete, Extreme Metal Works. Their shop is located in an old feed store and has plenty of space for parking and setting up forges.

Blacksmiths from LAMA, East Texas Blacksmiths’ Alliance and HABA, and anyone else for that matter, are invited to bring a forge, make something for a tree, and/or just visit.

The theme is to build something to put in/on a tree. Whatever is made needs to be no larger than the size of your hand.....leaves, bugs, birds, knot hole, twig and anything else you can imagine ending up in/on a tree. A proposed name for this event is: The Blacksmith Legacy Tree Project.

Whatever is made would be mounted on a branch made by Alfonso and the branch would eventually become part of a tree. Each piece would include the makers touch mark or initials, perhaps a stamp identifying LAMA, HABA, etc. and the date. Each branch would also be marked by year.

The Blacksmith Legacy Tree Alfonso and Jerry Baker had an idea for making a trunk and the 2005 branch would be the start of what can easily be imagined as quite a tree in 10 or 20 years. Jerry provided the basic Tree for the branch made by Alfonso.

The work on each branch would become a repository of smiths’ work and a record of smiths’ touch marks. The iron record could be backed up with a picture of each smith, his work and touch mark and mailing address. This information could be included on each participating organizations’ web site along with a picture of the latest tree. This would be a great visual example of meeting smithing organizations’ mission of preserving and promoting the art and craft of blacksmithing.

Please make plans to spend a day, Saturday, August 20, 2005 in Beaumont, at Extreme Metal Works, 840 Franklin, Beaumont, TX 77701. Bring or send something for the first branch of the tree or make something there.

We can all lend our thoughts as to how to make this project unique for the blacksmithing craft and the Louisiana and Texas region.

Eastham Forge Tour

Clint Jones organized a tour of Eastham Forge which is right behind Extreme Metal Works. As a tour member you will have an opportunity to see a 10,000 steam hammer...yes, steam operated. Odds are good that the hammer with dies of about 2.5 feet by 5 feet will be in operation. In addition you will have an opportunity to see a huge press...150,000 tons????? Take the tour to get the actual statistics.

Each tour will have 5 to 10 people and last about an hour.

VERY IMPORTANT

In order to take the tour, you personally will be required to provide the following:
  1. Safety glasses with side shields.
  2. Leather enclosed work boots/shoes (Steel toed work boots are not required but they are desired.)
  3. Hearing protection.
  4. A hard hat.

Each person will also need to sign in and out of the plant.

This will be quite an opportunity for the blacksmithing community to see some very large forging equipment. See www.easthamforge.com for more information about what the company makes.

When & Where :

SATURDAY, August 20 :

The schedule looks like this, rain or shine:

  • 8:30 am : Sign in and setup
  • 9:00am : HABA Meeting and Announcements
  • 9:30 am : Begin Demo
  • 12:00 pm : Lunch
  • 5:00 pm : Conclude

Where :

Extreme Metal Works,
840 Franklin, Beaumont, TX 77701
phone (409) 835-3944

Directions

From Houston
  • Exit I 10 at the Hwy 90/College Street Exit.
  • Go South to South MLK Jr. Parkway.
  • Turn right on MLK Jr. Parkway
  • Turn left on Franklin Street.
  • Follow the signs.

From Louisiana or Houston
  • Exit I 10 at MLK Jr. Parkway.
  • Go South on MLK Jr. Parkway.
  • Cross College Street/Hwy 90.
  • Turn left on Franklin Street.
  • Follow the signs.

A Google Map is available by clicking on Extreme Metal Works

Dave Koenig took some photos which are presented on two pages: Here are some more photos from the Legacy Tree Project August 20, 2005 (from Richard Boswell). Click on each to see large size....


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What to Bring

An Item for The Tree: The theme is to build something to put in/on a tree. Whatever is made needs to be no larger than the size of your hand.....leaves, bugs, birds, knot hole, twig and anything else you can imagine ending up in/on a tree.

Safety Glasses with Side Shields: These are required at all of our working meetings. If you plan to do some forging, bring any other safety equipment you will need for the job. Gloves and hearing protection are also highly recommended.

Something To Sit On: Bringing one of your own improves your odds of having one when you need it.

A Forge: Bring your forge and tools if you can.

A Friend: This will be rather special meeting so invite that new person you just met who expressed an interest in the craft. Let that person know what is planned for August.

NOTE: Membership renewal begins January 1, 2005. Note that joining/renewal is prorated at $10 beginning in June 2005.

You do not have to be a member to attend our meetings! Bring a Guest!

Bring your Membership Dues if you want to work at a forge and are not a current Member !

Minors are welcome but must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Notes about this Website

This website is Under Development and will continue to evolve for HABA Members.

The use any of the material from this site is at your own risk. All persons associated with this material disclaim any responsibility or liability for damages or injuries resulting from the use or application of this information. They assume no responsibility or liability for the accuracy, fitness, proper design, safety or safe use of any information presented here.

Please send all feedback/correction/omission/suggestions to your webmaster, Richard Boswell .
Enjoy!

http://www.habairon.org
http://www.habairon.com
Last updates were on August 21, 2005

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