THE HABA LETTER
The Newsletter of the Houston Area Blacksmith’s Association Inc.
To preserve and promote the art and craft
of Ornamental Blacksmithing.
HABA Web Site: www.habairon.org
October 2001 Edition
BOARD OF DIRECTORS/OFFICERS
David W. Koenig
–
President
7418 Branch Point
281-855-2869
76021.3660@compuserve.com
Larry Newbern –
Vice President
979-793-4362
Frank Walters – Secretary
13703 Larkway
281-491-7328
Les Cook
11222 Sagewillow
281-481-2457
anvil@flash.net
Larry Hoff – Treasurer
8026-Durklyn
281-890-8822
DECEMBER 15
HABA MEETING
TOUR SNOKHOUS
BLACKSMITH SHOP
WEST, TX
THE HABA LETTER CONTENTS
November HABA Meeting
– Page 2.
Oct. Meetings Summary–Page
2.
December Meeting –
Page 3.
Renew Membership – Page 4.
For
The
Fine Print – Page4.
DECEMBER HABA MEETING
The field trip to see the old Louis Snokhous blacksmith shop in West, TX on December 15 is
picking up interest. Seventeen people RSVP’d already and more are talking about it. REMEMBER! RSVP’s ARE REQUIRED. Food and refreshments will be provided by Ray
Snokhous.
NOVEMBER HABA MEETING
SUMMARY
The November HABA meeting focused on making a
belt buckle from one eighth inch thick sheet steel. During the summer three other workshops
focused on making the tools needed to make the buckle. Attendance for the November was low, nine
members and no visitors, but production and learning were high. Six belt buckles were started and four were
completed.
Dave Koenig led the workshop. An anvil buckle design was chosen for the
demo. Dave used the treadle hammer to do
most of the cutting. The four people who
managed to complete the buckle found some time on the treadle hammer.
The shop was pretty busy with people working on
the treadle hammer and the two shop anvils.
There were three other forges going outside. These were provided by Les Cook, Charles and
Sharon Heathcock and Larry Hoff.
A highlight of the meeting was coal forge
brazing a nail to the back of the buckle.
The nail was the pin to hold the belt buckle to the belt. After a few practice tries and a couple of
tries on each buckle we seemed to get the hang of forge brazing. It was quite an effort. One person cranked the blower. One person to heat and hold
the nail on the back of the buckle.
The third person applied the brazing rod and cooled the buckle once the
rod flashed. It probably looked just
like it sounds but we succeeded and had a great time trying something new.
Let’s welcome a new member to HABA, Steve Green.
We first met Steve at
A long time member, David Bailey, and someone we
do not see enough stopped by to take-in the action. David, it was sure good to see you again!
Charles Heathcock and
Les Cook made some good progress on their buckles. Odds are the completed buckles will be at the
January meeting. Jessica, Huckemeyer, Steve Green, Larry Hoff and Dave Koenig each
finished a buckle.
Before all the hammering got started there was a
long meeting bringing everyone up to date on fall events and demonstrations. Kurt House donated a copy of his new book HABA. The title of the book is Hand Forged for
For those of you who are not familiar with this
title, Kurt’s book opens with some Texas history and the life, times and work of
blacksmith, Joe Bianchi of Victoria, Texas, 1871 -1949. Joe is best remembered as a loriner, a smith whose focus is making bits and spurs. Any one with a penchant for
Kurt House and Ray Snokhous
will be the featured speakers at the February HABA meeting. The February meeting location is the
FOR
Thanks for the treadle hammer news. I can't come
but please tell folks ZI have a swedge block for
sale. It is 18" square and 4.5' thick. ($ 400) It is an old one. Also have
a very large wide belt driven grinding stone of victorian era vintage. ($ 300).
A 1936 3 Hp mcormic Deering
open crank hit and miss Kerosine
burner. Want $ 600 for that. No magneto. Block, crank and
piston for a little jumbo 3 Hp. ($ 150). No fly wheels.
THE
FINE PRINT
The use any of the material in
The
HABA Letter 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.
Dave Koenig
7418 Branch Point
