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Fall Forge Fest
at
Oldenburg
This years Forge Fest is dedicated to those folks who want to learn proper blacksmith technique or just hone their skills.
Continuing this year's theme of hands-on hammer-ins, our Forge Fest will be a great place to kick off HABA’s Training Progression. Using ABANA’s ‘Controlled Hand Forging’ as a guideline, a series of demonstrations will be presented by several of our local Smiths. We will start with an introduction to shop safety, basic tools & starting a coal forge. The introduction will be followed by drawing a taper, bending an eye, punching a hole, twisting & upsetting.
Whether you’re a seasoned smith or a beginner there is always room for improvement. For the seasoned smith improvement may mean forging a piece in one heat instead of two? It can even mean learning a new or different technique. For the beginner learning any basic technique gives them the groundwork needed to progress in the craft. Bottom line, we all can continue to improve.
Everyone is invited to come to Oldenburg and take part in the program. There will be something for everyone!
You may down load a summary (pdf) by clicking FF 2007. The event will begin on Friday with setting up and free forging. Saturday will begin early at 8 am, with 5 specific sessions focused on the basic techniques of blacksmithing. The theme will change at 3 pm to free forging to allow participants to create works combining the basic skills. Sunday is free forging and cleanup. Each specific one hour session during the day will include 15 minutes of demo and 45 minutes of participant hands-on practice with instructor assistance.
This is a terrific opportunity for newcomers to learn some basic skills, and for oldcomers to practice the basics for teaching the rest of us.
Regardless of your present skill level, we need you there and invite all regional smiths to attend and help out!
Thanks to Kennie & Susan Hall, five acres of land with a covered pavillion is available to blacksmiths, during the famous Antique Show Weekend of Round Top at Oldenburg, TX. The Round Top antique show expanded over the years to include the neighboring towns of Warrenton, Shelby, Oldenburg and a few other places in between. The show occurs in April and October each year.
Kennie has had an interest in smithing since he played in the Oldenburg blacksmith shop while growing up. The original site of the Oldenburg shop is just down the street from the five-acre site. The original Oldenburg shop is now operating again at the George Ranch Historical Park south of Houston.
Oldenburg is located about 90 miles northwest of Houston. During the weekend over a 1,000 vendors sell and 200,000 buyers enjoy the shows, buy and drive the beautiful countryside.
Again, thanks to our gracious hosts are Kennie and Susan Hall; there is no cost for the general grounds. A hat is passed to defray the expenses for power, water and porta-jons. Camping is available on-site with a hot and cold running water shower!
Photos
We have a lot of photos to share with you. More will be added soon. Click each link below.....
Page 1 was submitted by Helen Wise.
Page 2 was submitted by Dave Koenig.
Page 3 - Setup and Sunrise was submitted by Richard Boswell.
Page 4 - Lighting Fires.
Page 5 - HABA Appreciates Jim Wheeler and Dave Koenig for their efforts setting up ForgeFest and then Dave discusses safety tools.
Page 6 - Show annd Tell.
Page 7 - Tee Hines makes a Pointed Taper.
Page 8 - Les Cook demos the Eye.
Page 9 - James Porter demos the Twist.
Page 10 - E.J. McCann demos a Punched Hole.
Page 11 - Dave Koenig demos the Upset on a bar.
Page 12 - ForgeFest Smiths.
Where & When:
October 5-7, 2007
The HABA event site in Oldenburg, TX is located at the intersection of Highway 237 and Bauer Road. The site is north of town on the East Side of highway 237. See the site layout below.
What to expect:
We will begin at 8:00 am with an introduction to Blacksmithing. This will include shop safety, basic tools, starting a coal fire, etc. At approximately 9:00 am the 1st demonstration will begin. Each ‘Main’ demonstration will last 15-20 minutes after which everyone will head to a work station to try the technique they just learned. We intend to have an experienced smith at each work station to help you. Time designations may vary depending on the number of participants. If you don’t get to finish the hands on for a particular technique in the allotted time, forges will be available to use after 3:00 pm into the night.
NOTE!
HABA will provide each participant with one piece of material for each session. You will have to supply any additional material you think you might need.
Please bring your forge & tools!!
Agenda:
Friday: Setup & free style forging
Saturday, October 6:
- 7:30 am: Sign in
- 8:00 am: ‘Introduction’ - Dave Koenig
- 9:00 am: ‘Drawing a Taper’ - Tee Hines
- 10:00 am: ‘Bending an Eye’ - Les Cook
- 11:00 am: ‘Hot Punching a Hole’ – E J McCann
- 12:00 noon: Break for lunch
- 1:00 pm: ‘Twisting’ – James Porter
- 2:00 pm: ‘Upsetting’ – Dave Koenig & Tee Hines
- 3:00 pm: End program & begin free forging
Sunday: Free style forging & clean up
This is the general layout with the pavilion which can hold a dozen or two or more forge setups easily. Come early to reserve your spot.
Oldenburg is located about 90 miles northwest of Houston. During the weekend over 1,000 vendors sell and 200,000 buyers enjoy the shows, buy and drive the beautiful countryside. Tools For Sale
There is usually the traditional tailgating tool sales with old anvils, vices, and tongs!
Camping - Friday - Sunday :
Camping available in the field behind demonstration area.
No charge to members, their families and their guests (donations will be collected to help with expenses)
Portable toilets, water and electricity are available
Sales Tents - Friday - Sunday:
Club Information and Fundraising Tables - Memberships and Handmade items donated by members for sale to the public
Member’s Sales - Opportunity to sell your excess tools (anvils, forges, and hand tools ), supplies, hand made items to other members or to the public.
Demonstrations Friday and All day Saturday, and Sunday if you want to. You are the demonstrator.
What to Bring
Chairs, canopys, tents, food and drink.
Bring safety glasses with side shields. This is a requirement!
Bring your forge and tools if you have them.
If you do not have a forge and tools, please come anyway. There will be plenty of room at some forge during the workshop and someone to lend you a hand if you need it.
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.
ABOUT THE EVENT
Blacksmith's Fall Forge Fest is held in conjunction with the Round Top antique festivalOpen to the public - at no charge for admission to the grounds
Place: Highway 237 and Bauer Rd. – Oldenburg, TX
PURPOSE:
- To promote HABA and attract new members
- To share basic blacksmith techniques with new club members
- To provide blacksmith tools (anvils, forges, hand tools) for sale
- To provide social opportunity to meet new members
- To provide social opportunity to meet members of other blacksmith clubs
- To raise funds for club through donated items from members
Some relevent on-line links for your viewing....
Directions to Oldenburg
The Forge Fest site in Oldenburg, TX is located at the intersection of Highway 237 and Bauer Road. The site is on the north end of town on he East Side of Highway 237. Below is a classic map from one of the first events.
click here for more maps
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Last updates were on September 09, 2007
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