May 2011 HABA Houston Area Blacksmith's Association

Houston
Area
Blacksmith's
Association

7418 Branch Point
Houston, TX 77095-2649

On Line
Resources

ABANA
ABANA Demonstrator Guideline

North Texas
Blacksmiths Association

Balcones Forge

Louisiana Metalsmiths
Association

Maps

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!

May 7, 2011

Can beauty be skin deep?
Experimentation in using texture, color, and finish to add variety to your work!

Ziwa Forge
Simonton, TX

Most of our members are very knowledgeable and comfortable when it comes to blackening steel and finishing it with oil and wax. Are there alternatives or techniques that can complement our traditional blacksmithing procedures or extend our capabilities?

What to expect:

Dana Flanders is relatively new to metalwork, but has given it a lot of effort over the last couple of years (see the Ziwa Forge page on Facebook). Lately, he has been learning about and experimenting in adding texture and color to metalwork.

He plans to lead a discussion that overviews the following areas, show some examples, and demonstrate a few of the procedures and products with which he’s worked.

1. Texture: Corroded stock, hammering, chiseling, pressing, folding, drilling, oxy torch cutting / melting, forge scale / burning, rasping, filing, grinding, polishing, wire brushing, sand blasting, pickling, etching, etc.

2. Color: Different metals, brazing, inlaying, pattern welding, paint, patinas (acids, oxides, dyes, etc.), metal pastes, waxes, layering, burnishing, highlighting, burning, etc.

3. Finish: Oil, wax, primer, metal coatings, paint, lacquer, galvanizing, powder coating, etc.

In the afternoon, we plan to give members time to try out some of the morning’s ideas and information of their choosing on sample pieces (e.g. steel leaves, etc.). Exploration, experimentation, creativity, and collaboration will be the goals. Members should take away some small finished pieces and, hopefully, some new techniques for future application.

Some relevent on-line links for your viewing....

When & Where :

Saturday, May 7 :

The schedule looks like this for Saturday morning:

8:00 am : Sign in and setup
8:30 am : HABA Meeting and Announcements
9:00 am : Dana leads show & tell and discussion
10:30 am : Begin Demonstrations
12 pm : Break for Lunch
1 pm : Members experiment with techniques of their choice
5 pm : Conclude and clean up

Where :

Ziwa Forge

9510 FM 1489
Simonton, TX

Directions to Ziwa Forge

Heading south on FM 1489 from I10 (about 9 miles), the shop is on the right, in the same fenced area as a two-story red metal building, just a few hundred yards south of the center of Simonton, which is at the junction of FM 1489 and FM1093. If you need to get in touch with Dana, call 713-569-8422.

Google map link: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=9510+fm+1489,+simonton,+tx&aq=&sll=37.160317,-95.712891&sspn=29.883596,56.337891&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=9510+Farm-to-Market+1489,+Simonton,+Fort+Bend,+Texas+77485&z=16

PLEASE NOTE: As is the custom at most workshops, sharing tools is common.

Please remember to do a couple of things if you borrow a tool. One, remember from whom you borrowed a tool and make sure you return it by telling that person you are returning it. Two, make sure you look over your tools before you depart to make sure you have only what you came with...nothing missing and nothing extra. It takes more effort to return or find a tool than to double check before leaving the meeting!

PURPOSE:

• To attract and retain new members
• To improve the depth and breadth of members skills

What to Bring

Various sample forms and sizes / gauges of copper, aluminum, and steel sheet will be available for trial. Bring your own raw materials to support deeper exploration of your own specific interests.

Safety glasses with side shields are a requirement! Hearing protection and gloves (leather and/or rubber) are recommended.

Gas forges (we won’t be burning coal, except in the shop forge) or propane torches.

Anvils, stumps, swages, etc. for texturing and forming.

Hammers, chisels, punches, chasing tools, files, etc. for texturing.

Paints, pastes, dyes, waxes, etc. for coloring and finishing.
Plan to bring a lunch or eat at the deli in Simonton or restaurants in Fulshear.

Bring a chair to sit in.

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!