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2003
Board of Directors
Les Cook
11222 Sagewillow
Houston, TX 77089-4536
281-481-2457
Richard Boswell
281-356-5205
Dave Koenig
281-855-2869
Larry Hoff
281-890-8822
James Porter
1925 Anchor Way Dickinson TX 77539
281-337-5384
Frank Walters
281-491-7328
Hammerin' Tong Time
at Tudor Forge
The November meeting was a HABA Back-To-Basics meeting and was much more ‘hands-on’ than most of our other meetings of 2003.Dave Koenig hosted the November meeting and demonstrated tong making in his shop. Outside we got back to basics for beginners and pros on how to manage your coal fire and work your hammer and anvil. Several members brought their forge and spent a fine day in the woods having some fun and learning.
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From the original announcement:
Bring your forge and spend the day in the woods with us and have some fun and learn. Don't have a portable forge? Come on anyway and work on ours!
There will be three demonstrators James Porter, Les Cook and Dave Koenig. Each demonstrator will make a single tong. Each tong will be made from different size stock. The stock sizes will be one quarter by three quarter inches, three eighths by one inch and three quarters square bar with three eighths inch round bar Exactly who will use what stock size to make a tong is still undecided.
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Dave recently made some pickup tongs using one quarter by three quarter inch stock. They are a set of 'quick tongs'. He cut two twelve inch pieces of stock and notched the edge of each piece four inches from an end. Then he put the pieces in the vise and cold twisted them together one quarter turn. Next he drew a taper above the twist to form the bit. Drawing out the reins came next followed by punching a three eighths hole in the bolster. Lastly, he added the rivet and aligned the bits. The total length is seventeen and one half inches.
James will make a scrolling tong at the work shop. He will use 3/4"x3/8" A36 low carbon steel hot roll flat bar.
There will be a Show-N-Tell table for things you made, recently acquired tools and anything else related to the craft.
Before we break for lunch we will have a Raffle. Most of the new members never had the opportunity to experience one of HABA’s raffles. It is a lot of fun. Of course to have a raffle we need something to raffle so dig around the shop and see what you can find to throw on the raffle table. Something you made, an old tool some kind of stock an old 300 pound anvil or 8” vise will all be greatly appreciated.
When & Where :
Saturday November 22, 2003 :
Tudor Forge is north of Tomball and south of Magnolia off Hwy 249 on Tudor Way.
Here is the Agenda:
- 8:00 Set up and sign in.
- 9:00 HABA Meeting
- 9:30 Begin Tong Demos
- 12:00 Lunch break
- 1:00 Member Tong Making continues
- 5:00 Clean up and depart
Directions to Tudor Forge
From Houston:
Take 249 NW from Houston. Travel through the towns of Tomball, Decker Prairie and Pinehurst. At Pinehurst 249 changes to 1774. Stay on 1774. About three miles ahead on 1774 look for a Shell station on the west side of the road. One half mile past the Shell station, turn left or west on Tudor Way. There is a small white realtor office on the corner. You will find the forge about a mile down the road on the left.
Or if you are coming from Magnolia:
From the intersection of 1488 and 1774 in Magnolia, go south on 1774 about 4 miles. Look for Tudor Way just after the Country Jamboree building. Turn right and follow the signs. If you see the Shell station you went too far.
What to Bring
- Safety Glasses with side shields. They are required.
- A forge, stock and related tools if you have them.
- Gloves and hearing protection is suggested.
- A sack lunch unless you go to town for lunch.
HABA to Provide
- Some bar stock.
- Soda and water.
- Lots of opportunities to learn about the craft.
Bring your Membership Dues if you want to work at a forge and are not a current Member !
Want to know more about making blacksmith tongs? Try these web sites:
- How-To-Make Tong Article
- iForge Bill Epps and Tongs
- iForge Bill Epps Dragon Tong
- iForge More Tongs
- Blacksmith's Journal Tongs / Round Stock
- Blacksmith's Gazette Sample Article
- Blacksmiths in Colonial America: Tools
- White River Journal: Blacksmith Tools
- The art of blacksmithing
- Blacksmiths' Forge Tongs
- Light Tongs Class
- Heavy Tongs Class
- Blacksmiths Tools and Equipment
- Kayne & Son
- Centaur Tongs
- Striker forging and blacksmith tongs
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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 webmaster Richard Boswell.
Enjoy!
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Last updates were on November 26, 2003
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