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David has been teaching introductory blacksmithing
classes at his workshop in Ontario since 1993. He recently has taught blacksmithing at Fleming
College's Haliburton Campus. David
is a graduate of Ontario's University of Waterloo Engineering program and has his work in private collections in Canada,
the United States, Ireland
and Germany. David no
longer uses blacksmithing coal as his primary heat source. He now
prefers the modern convenience of a propane
blacksmith forge to teach his blacksmithing courses.
"I
invite you to take a look at my current blacksmith course offerings! You
will find basic blacksmithing as well as intermediate blacksmithing
class listings. If
you don't see
something that fits your schedule let
me know and we will see what we can arrange."
In times past the art of the blacksmith was
a cherished secret passed down only from master to apprentice. After
the skills of blacksmithing nearly disappeared in the mid 20th century
in North America, many smiths have opted for openness about the craft.
This means that many more people have opportunity to learn these
skills in blacksmith classes.
I offer several courses / classes at my blacksmith shop in Bruce County
( 1.5
hours north of Kitchener, Ontario). I work with a maximum of 4 students
and each student has their own work station but share a forge.
The blacksmithing classes are designed to take the student, in a single
weekend, from an interest in artistic blacksmithing to actually
producing small useful projects.
At the end of the course the student will have been given the
information to set up a basic home shop, including suppliers and
equipment required. I provide all the required tools and related
safety equipment, as well as snacks and drinks. The student should
bring leather boots or shoes, and a lunch.
Basic
Blacksmithing Class
Regular Price $300.00 CND
Members Price $275.00 CND
GST Added to all Prices
Maximum 4 students.
This course is designed for those with an interest in blacksmithing but
have no previous experience. 20 hours of instruction and supervison.
Friday night
we cover safety, introduction to tools large and small, proper hammer
technique, and the first project of a Tool Hook.
Techniques: drawing out, curling, notching, curving, hot cutting.
Saturday
consists of a series of projects with techniques building upon each
other. Projects include Coal Rake, Coat Hook, Leaf Hook, Finials, and
Tongs. Techniques include: Pointing, Flattening, Shepherd's Crook, Hot
Reverse Twisting, Pointing Flat Bar, Spade Point, Pattern Punching,
Offsetting , Shouldering, Through Punching, Leaves, Rattail.
Sunday
starts with a discussion of alloy steels and follows with making a Cold
Chisel from high carbon steel, Finishing Tongs, Demonstration of Forge
Welding, Discuss Setting up a Personal Workshop, Several Hours are set
aside for working on a Personal Project.
All materials are provided (personal projects may require additional
expense) . Projects and techniques may vary depending on student
interest and capabilities. I also provide coffee and tea and snacks
through out the days. Lunch is not provided.
Accommodations
There are several Bed and Breakfasts located
nearby.
Cornerbrook Farms,
John and Elaine Moffatt,
519-366-2629.
Comes highly recommended by my students.
Dates for Basic Course
2010
Feb.5, 6, 7
Feb. 26,27,28
Mar. 12,13,14
April 9,10,11
April 23,24,25
May 7,8,9
June 11,12,13
July
16,17,18
Aug.
20,21,22
Sept. 10,11,12
Oct. 15,16,17
Nov. 19,20,21
Dec 10,11,12
Please call or email for motels and campgrounds. |
David Teaching a Basic
Blacksmith Course On Site
at Joseph Schneider Haus Museum, Kitchener Ontario
David Teaching A Junior
Blacksmith Course at
Joseph Schneider Haus, Kitchener Ontario
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Past
student comments:
First let me say, from my
perspective, that David's course was very informative, well developed,
and an overall excellent course. He covered the fundamentals
as to what is needed to set up a shop including safety, tools,
resources, and references, and provided 2+ days of great
hands-on instruction. After I got home and reviewed all the
items that I made during the course with my family, I was amazed at how
much we covered and accomplished in the short time there.
......
Secondly, I selected David's
course for a couple of basic reasons, I liked what he was offering, the
size and scope of the classes, and it was within about a 5 to 6 hour
drive of where I live. I did pass up other courses which were
closer to where I live because of the course content. I have only great
things to say about the course and David has been great in responding
to follow up questions/support after the course.
G. Thomas
I want to
thank you for the great class. It was an experience I will never
forget. I really enjoyed myself and working with a master
craftsman was great. I am getting the emails and hope to
continue that.
I will
probably get a small gas forge at some point in the near
future. I have a small anvil for now.and will get a couple of
hammers.
Dave thanks
again for a great time. I learned a lot.
L. Covert
We have been a
bit remiss in letting you know how much both Christopher and I enjoyed
your Basic Blacksmithing class. Although we both had some experience
the techniques and projects added to our skill level quite quickly,
this is allowing us to explore a variety of different techniques.
As a father it was fun to me to watch my son learn at his pace and I
was surprised by his skill and intuitive insight of how he could move
the metal. He is already talking about for his next break
from college.
Certainly the drive from the USA was well worth what we gained, I could
not have picked a better class for us to attend!Thanks and hope things
are well!
R. Taddiken
Hi
David,
I
have been meaning to get this email out all week, but getting back to
work after having the summer off was difficult. I wanted to
thank-you again for the basic blacksmithing course. It was
amazing. After having read over several books, including your
own, it was a pleasure to finally get a chance to try it
out. Your course is well laid out, building skill as the
projects increase in complexity. Your background does you
credit, and I thank your for getting into the material science of what
we were doing.
I
plan to continue my education and hope to take the intermediate course
in the near future. (probably next summer) In the mean time I
plan to build a gas forge and pick up some tools. I
would like to get started this fall.
cheers,
Jay
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Intermediate Blacksmithing Class
Regular Price $300.00
Members Price$275.00 CND
GST Added to all Prices
This blacksmithing course is
less project oriented and more technique oriented. It is also 20 hours
of supervision / instruction.
Techniques include: 2D Punch Work, 3 D Punchwork, Forge Welding,
Splitting, Upsetting, Design Discussion, Introduction to Air Hammer
use, Mortise and Tennon, Through Punching, Braided Twist, Basket Twist,
Forging Pipe. Again a couple of hours are set aside on Sunday for a
personal project. This course
provides the student with a series of blacksmithing skills that they
can take home and directly translate to the work that they are doing
there. Techniques primarily revolve around the artistic nature of the
craft. Depending on student interest techniques taught may follow other
lines of discussion. Maximum enrolement 4 students.
2010
Feb 19,20,21
Mar. 5,6,7
May
14,15,16
July 23,24,25
Oct. 8,9,10
Nov. 26,27,28
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Emily at the air hammer. |
Pattern Welding Knife Making Blacksmith
Course
Regular Price $375.00 CND
Members Price $350.00 CND
GST Added to all Prices
This course is designed for the individual who has some skill at forge
welding, and wants to explore the area of damascus knives. This course
runs with a max. of 2 people.
The course covers the basics of Knife Formation, Cable Damascus, Odd
Pattern Stuff (Chainsaw Chain etc.), Making the Billet, Secure Welds,
Pattern Generation, Alloys, Etching Solutions. Grinding techniques are
mentioned but are not the focus unless there is time.
Each student receives a small billet to start with and usually finishes
a second by the end of the course. This course stresses the billet
process and depending on time and aptitude the completion of a knife is
secondary.
2010
To be arranged at a mutually aggreeable Dates.
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Pattern Welded Dagger.
Two Pattern Welded
Nickel Damascus Knives.
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New
Propane Blacksmith Forge Workshop
Regular Price $400.00 CND
Members Price $375.00 CND
GST Added to all Prices
This one day workshop is limited to 2 people. Each of you will build a
complete working gas forge!
You will learn about burner construction and dynamics, shells and
insulation, hazards of propane, and general construction techniques!
The course fee includes all materials for the forge construction, and
hose and regulator. You will have to provide a propane tank at home.
Since many of the materials I have to buy out of town I require the
full course fee 1 month in advance. (Don't worry if you miss the course
you still get a gas forge just not the knowledge.) See also Gas forge Construction DVD! and
Gas Forge Construction Manual
Course Dates :
June
5, 2010.
July 10, 2010.
Previous
Haliburton Garden Gate or Trellis Blacksmithing Course
Week Long Course
(For Specialty Courses or Week Long Courses Please Contact Me)
I was amazed how much the students completed in a week, the last time I
was there. Please note this is intensive, and hot! The course is based
around designing and constructing a small garden gate or trellis of
size about 3 feet by 5 feet.
I teach safety and a series of smithing techniques and you incorporate
the ones you prefer into your design.
Maximum 16 students so there is lots of interaction.
Questions about course content please direct to me.
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Simple Atmospheric
Propane Forge.
Garden Gate Course
Haiburton School of Arts |
Basic Knife Making Course
Regular Price $300.00 CND plus
materials
Members Price $275.00 CND plus materials
GST Added to all Prices
Knives are a fundamental tool
in our lives whether it be in our kitchens, workshops, or on hunting
trips. I have had many requests for a knife making work shop and have
usually suggested people do some blacksmithing first. There is a need
for hammer control and an appreciation for the narrow temperature range
that the tool steel must be worked at and these things do require time
to grasp.
This year I am offering two knife making work shops. It is recommended
that you have some past forging experience. but I will try to
accommodate those that have no experience as well. This course will
concentrate on blade formation and heat treating, with less emphasis on
grinding. Some grinding will be involved but it will not be the main
focus. I hope each student will be able to complete 2 knives at least
to the point that they can finish them at home. This will of course
depend on experience and ability.
The 2 knives will be a Romano- British pattern (one piece blade and
handle) and a drop point skinner with riveted slab handles. These
projects may change without notice.
March 19,20, 21
2010
Nov. 12,13,14 2010
New For 2010!
Organics
Blacksmithing Course
Regular price $300.00
Members Price $275.00
GST Added to all Prices
Max 4 students
This course is a specialty course on creating organic forms. Flowers,
leaves, tendrils etc. It will be a combination of hand work and power
hammer work. Although the power hammer work will be directly related to
the hand work it will be on larger stock.
The goal of this course is to show you some basic hand tecniques to
create Floral Forms and then scale the process up to power hammer
techniques.
Topics Discussed
Tendrils
Punching Petals
Veining
Plain leaves
Folded leaves
Texturing
Long Leaves
Short Leaves
Calla Lily Flowers
Cattails
Roses
Bark Pattern
Grape Vine
Free Form Forging
2010
Dates
April
16,17,18
Oct.
29,30,31 |
Hand
Forged Stylised Flower
Flower
Inspiration
Forged Copper Rose Detail |
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NEW!
One Day Specialty Blacksmithing Classes | Courses!
For $150.00 I will teach specific techniques and while the student is
practising I will be working on my own projects. Times to be arranged
at our mutual convenience.
For $350.00 I will work on your particular project with your help.
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Date
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Basic
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Intermediate
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Knife Making
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Pattern Welding
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Gas Forge
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Specialty
Courses |
| Jan. |
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Feb.
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5,6,7
26,27, 28
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19,20,21
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Mar.
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12,13,14
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5,6,7
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19, 20, 21
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April
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9,10,11
23,
24, 25 |
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Organics
16,17,18 |
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May
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7,8, 9
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14,15,16
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June
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11,12,13
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5
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July
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17,18,19
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23,24,
25
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10
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Aug.
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20,21, 22
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Sept.
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10,11,12
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Oct.
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15,16,17
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8,9,10
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Organics
29,30,31 |
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Nov.
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19,20,21
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26,27, 28
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12,13,14
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Dec.
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10,11,12
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Other dates may
be arranged for 2 or more
people.
Please email for
available dates.
All Courses Require Preregistration and 50% Deposit to Hold Your Spot
Deposit Is Non Refundable but is Transferable to another Course
If you Cannot Make the Originally Scheduled Blacksmith Course
Courses Run with
a minimum of 1 student!
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Artist
Blacksmith
David
Robertson
R.R. #2
Cargill, Ontario,
Canada, N0G1J0
519 366 2334
Contact
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Learn How to Make Your Own Gas Forge Here!
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