Vol 25 No 1 - New England Blacksmiths

To discover, to help
January 2005
New England
Blacksmiths
VOL. 25 NO. 1
Our
27th
Year
1978-2005
Neil Mansfield’s iron work, which
took 2nd place in the competition at
The Fitchburg Forge-in, October 9th.
Neil is a shop teacher at Assabet Valley Vocational School in Marlborough, MA (see the Fall issue of the
“Hammer’s Blow”.)
“My work is seldom forged with
100% black iron. I like to bring life
into my work by blending metals such
as bronze, copper, & stainless steel”
(From Neil’s artist statement)
He and his students were a large part
of the event and the N.E.B. was represented, also. See article on page 10
For the Competition, “Life along the River Bank”
Inside this issue:
10-11 Fitchburg Forge-In
Page,
12-14 Propane Workshop
2 BOD & contacts
15 Demo Trailer update
3 President’s Message
16 Gate Workshop in ME
& Norm’s Puzzle
24 Tailgate sales
17 Norm’s Ring Maker
25-29 By-Laws, Proposed
4 Spring Meet & Around
N.E.
5 Treasurer Reports
18 Tribute to Bill Gichner
6-9 Our Fall Meet
19 Pine Cone how-to
21 Bits & Pieces
22 Membership Forms
23 Video Library
20 Tom’s Treadle Hammer
Winter 2005
Visit us on line
www.newenglandblacksmiths.org
Page 1
www.newenglandblacksmiths.com
New England Blacksmiths
Updated Contact information for NEB officers and directors
Owen Bostrom- President
99 Chase Hill RD
Ashaway, RI 02804
Phone: 401-377-2611
obostrom@cox.net
Rick Korinek- Vice President
46 Joseph Road
Framingham, MA 01701
Phone: 508/320-7425 shop
508/877-8815 home
rickkorinek@rcn.com
Ted Jones - Secretary & CT Rep.
722 Raymond Hill Rd
Oakdale, CT 06370
Phone: 860-848-7101
Connsmith722@aol.com
Tim Blanchard - Treasurer
18 Hayes Ave.
Beverly MA 01915
Phone: 978-927-3546
timb88@msn.com
Marc Godbout, Membership
170 North Shore Rd.
Derry, NH 03038
Phone 603-548-8771
marc@ironringforge.com
Larry Stilwell- NH Rep.
102 Chester Road
Fremont, NH 03044
Phone: 603-895-3281
stilwell@briarwoodfarm.
Tom Ruelke– NH Rep.
86 Orchard Hill RD
Littleton, NH 03561
Phone
Bigrock86@verizon.net
Fred Mikkelsen - RI Rep & Editor
23 Waterman Dr.
N.Scituate, RI 02857-2036
phone: 401-647-3086
fred@trollshammerforge.com
Jim Crothers- RI Rep.
953 Tuckertown RD
Wakefield, RI 02879
Phone
Ride4782@ride.ri.net
To help them do the best job of representing you, let them know what you
think, need, and hope for the NEB!
Ed Grove- Me Rep.
828 Haley Town Road
Brownfield, ME 04010
Phone: 207-935-2262
Engro828@pivot.net
Chris Caswell- VT Rep.
24 1/2 Pomeroy St.
Burlington, VT 05401
phone: 802-660-8248
olayers@sover.net
James Fecteau- VT Rep.
1735 Main Rd.
Huntington, VT 05462
Phone: 802-434-3871
Fecteau@gmavt.net
Jay Cadero- MA Rep.
54 William ST
Walpole, MA 02081
Phone
Cadero@prodigy.net
Jack Daniel- MA Rep.
70 Cinderella Terr.
Marstons Mills, MA 02648
Phone
Jackadaniel@hotmail.com
David Hageman - CT Rep.
6 Dickinson Rd.
Colchester, CT. 06415
860-267-0659
hagemanneb@yahoo.com
Letters to the editor, articles, technical tips, tools
for sale, or other materials which furthers these
ends, will be considered for publication in this
newsletter. The New England Blacksmiths disclaim
any responsibility or liability for damages or injuries
as a result of any design, construction, manufacture,
use or other activity undertaken as a result of the use
or application of information contained in the newsletter of the New England Blacksmiths.
The New England Blacksmiths, an affiliate of the Artists-Blacksmith’s Association of North America, is
devoted to the preservation and advancement of blacksmithing.
Winter 2005
Courtesy of the Balcones Forge
Bob Menard- ME Rep.
56 Warren Ave. Suite 106
Portland ME. 04103
Phone: 207-878-2217
ballandchainforge@yahoo.com
Page 2
Some pay their dues when due,
Some pay when not due,
Some never do,
How do you do?
$20 to NEB Membership
P.O.Box 58
Beverly, MA 01915
If you haven’t got “around to it” yet!
Thanks to all
Contributors to this issue:
Add your name to this list
Become a contributor!
Tim Blanchard
Ralph Sproul
Rick Korinek
Neil Mansfield
Patrick Thornton
Jim Ellis
Bob Menard
Norm Champlin
David Court
Tom Reinertsen
And others to whom
I apologize for leaving out!
Editor
Next newsletter deadline:
March 15th, 2005
New England Blacksmiths
President’s Message – January 2005
Well here we are with the holidays behind us looking toward the
events and uncertainty of the New Year. Your NEB leadership is beginning
the process of planning for our Spring Meet, which will be over the weekend
of June 3, 4, and 5 at Brentwood in NH. We will be doing things with a
slightly different format this year and we hope it will be all the more interesting. Upcoming newsletters will bring you more details.
Your BOD has had to take over the running of this meet because no
one was able to step forward to do so. While we will gladly accept any help
I also want to encourage you to consider having one of our meets in your
own neck of the woods, or to simply run one at a place like Brentwood. We
have had several different formats for meets in recent time so don’t let any set format be your guide. We actually have “Meet Guidelines” a resource that will guide you, step by step, through putting on one of these
events successfully.
Speaking of meets in general, I have to say that I have never been to a bad one with NEB. I guess
we’ve had a few bad moments, but overall they have been good experiences. The people that have taken the
lead have done a remarkably good job and it often has been one or two people doing all the prep work. I
would say that most of them had never attempted such a thing before either. It is a lot better if there are more
that participate and I want to really encourage that. No one person has to know everything (and can’t by
the way) so there is no reason to be intimidated into not helping out. We recently did a meet at the South
County Museum in RI and we had a great support group around the lead planners. Many people undertook
small parts of the responsibility and nobody bore an undue burden. A great way to get to know people is by
working with them. We have many future meets open so how about some ideas to try; starting in the Fall of
2005. Anybody willing to take the hook?
The BOD is also working on finishing
up the revisions to the By-Laws. I hope they will be provided to you in this newsletter. We are forging forward with the new budget, seeing about getting some new
items in our clothing and do-dads line, and the other business of NEB. Things overall for NEB are good. Local activities seem to be percolating along. There was a great gas forge burner-building workshop in RI led by
Ralph Sproul and Marc Godbout and hosted by John D’Abate, and another group got together at Jim Fecteau’s
shop to make some improvements to our NEB demo trailer equipment. The pictures of these were great and I
am looking forward to actually seeing the new work.
As always, I encourage you to contact your state representatives or myself with your ideas and
thoughts for the good of NEB.
Owen Bostrom
Do you just belong?
Are you an active member, the kind who would be
missed?
Or are you just contented that your name is on the list.
Do you attend the meetings and mingle with the
flock
Or do you stay away and criticize and knock.
Do you take an active part and help the work along
Or are you satisfied to be the kind that just belong.
Do you ever go to visit or call a member who is sick
Or leave the work to just a few and then call them
“the clique”.
Winter 2005
Page 3
There is quite a program scheduled that we’re sure
you’ve heard about
We’ll appreciate it if you too ,will come and help us
out.
So come to the meetings often and help with hand
and heart
Don’t just be a member but take an active part.
Think this over’ friends, you all know right from
wrong
Be an active member and do not “just belong.”
Thanks to the newsletter of the Victoria, Canada
Hand-weavers and Spinners Guild
New England Blacksmiths
The NEB Spring Meet will be held at our “Home away from Home”
New England Blacksmiths Teaching Center and Recreational Grounds
Brentwood, NH
On June 3rd, 4th, and 5th, 2005
It will showcase the talents of several demonstrators from within the
NEB, a plethora of talent, never before gathered, for your
edification and enlightenment. The likes of which we have never
been able to assemble, in all our history!
OK, enough of the P.T. Barnum in me, but this will be a sort of reunion/
celebration of the New England Blacksmiths, lots of good ideas and advice,
Camaraderie, and an all around good time! Watch for additional information!
( If you’d like to help out– contact a State Rep.)
Fred Mikkelsen, Editor
Around New England
Connecticut
29 January – Mystic Seaport at 2:00 pm in Mystic,
CT. FREE admission starting at 1:00 pm. You will
have one hour to explore the Museum before the meeting, which will start at 2:00 pm in the Shipsmith Shop.
If you are not a CBG member, contact Bill Scheer to
get on the admission list. (860)536-0679
26 February – CBG will meet with the Southern
Bunch at South County Museum, Narragansett, RI.
19 March – Berkshire Blacksmiths (see below)
26 March – Susan Madacsi will host CBG at her shop
on Bayview Avenue, Stonington, CT. 9:00-3:00
(demos start at 10:00) Bring a lunch. 860-857-8768 or
smadacsi@earthlink.net
16 April – Connecticut Eastern Railroad Museum, Willimantic, CT invites CBG for on-going Demo’s at the
site, 10:00-3:00. $2 or $3 fee for entry. Contact Steve
Melady, 860-228-2185, smelady254@earthlink.net, see
www.cteastrrmuseum.org
The Danbury Railway Museum will host a blacksmith
meet at the DRM site: this will kick off the opening of
the new forge at the site: this forge is the last known
New Haven Rail Road built forge: it was built at the
Ceder Hill yard in New Haven CT The dates will be
May 21-22-05 , Skip Kern
(203) 866-3451
Winter 2005
Page 4
Western N.E.—Ct, Ma, NY
19 March – Berkshire Blacksmiths spring meet at Greg
Phillips’ Shop, 937 Rt 17K Montgomery, NY. 845-4575671. Look for a sign “Assure Sign” on the south side of
Rt 17K. For info: Jim Stapleford, 845-657-8212. spinsmythe@worldnet.att.net
Maine
Feb. 19 & 26, NEB Gate workshop @ Bob Menard’s,
Portland ME ( see page 16)
New England School of Metal Work
Dereck Glaser’s classes:
Jan 14-17, Tool forging; Feb 11-14, Botanical Forms; Feb
25-28, Beginners class; Mar 18-21, Found & Forged/
Vessels & Sculpture
Call (888) 753-7502
Rhode Island,
Southern Bunch @ SCM Narragansett, RI
The 4th Saturday of each month, Jan. 22, Feb. 26 (joint
meeting with the CBG), Mar. 26, April 23. We start at
10:00 am and run until 3:00 pm or so. Help beginners,
demo, and work on your problems. Woodstove warms the
shop and a big pot of soup or stew and we almost never
lock the door. Call Owen Bostrom, Jim Crothers, or
Fred Mikkelsen for contact info. (See page 2)
Vermont
Fred,
NEB members might be interested to know that I have
added some more video clips to my web site - chasing,
twisting, forge welding and a few others. Nothing most
members haven't seen before but may be interesting. They
are listed halfway down the "Smithing" page in the Basic
Techniques section. www.lucianaveryblacksmith.com
Lucian Avery
New England Blacksmiths
New England Blacksmiths Financial Report for Year 2004
Year 2003
Actual
6,260
1,640
9,184
5,566
1,022
67
43
367
24,149
Revenue
Membership Renewals
New Memberships
Spring/Fall Meet Income
Brentwood Teaching Ctr.
T-Shirt, etc. Sales
Interest Income
Misc. Income
Scholarship Income
Total Revenue
Year 2004
Proposed
6,500
1,500
8,500
5,100
2,000
100
0
200
23,900
501
5,689
5,493
2,092
4,290
500
168
769
369
751
0
0
3,758
150
24,530
Expenses
Membership Renewal
Spring/Fall Meets
Brentwood Teaching Ctr.
T-Shirt, etc. Purchases
NEB Newsletters
Insurance
Bank Charges
Director’s Meetings & Exp.
Office Supplies & Postage
NEB Website
Scholarship Fund
Misc. Expense
Trailer Project
Professional & Audit
Total Expenses
Gain or Loss
(381)
500
6,000
5,100
2,100
4,500
700
150
450
350
1,000
500
0
750
150
22,250
1,650
Year 2004
Actual
4,700
1,200
7,377
2,010
992
45
225
50
16,599
487
7,355
2,905
625
3,050
500
145
463
249
392
0
252
724
0
17,147
(548)
Respectfully submitted, Tim Blanchard, Treasurer
NEB Fall MeetBarnstable County Fairgrounds
Massachusetts
Income
Expenses
----------
--------------
Registration
Iron in the Hat
Swage Raffle
Mini Anvils
Totals
Profit
3,283
266
190
105
----------$3,347
$497
Food/Catering
Demonstrator
Printing/Postage
Swage Block
Misc.
Mini Anvils
1,633
1,050
275
103
196
90
———
$3,844
Tim Blanchard, Treasurer
Winter 2005
Page 5
When you see this guy, tell him what a great job
he’s doing, for all of us! FWM
New England Blacksmiths
Cape Cod Hospitality:
2004 Fall Meet
Thanks to Jim Ellis, all the Cape Cod
Smiths, Jack Pennell, and above all John Little!
I have a few comments to make on the fall
meet held at the Barnstable Fairgrounds that I’d
like to share with those unfortunate enough to have
missed it.
First off – Nice job by all involved in setting up the site on the cape. The Cape Cod
Smiths really put on a great meet, Well done!!
John went on to explain his success with design to lay in the “exaggeration of a feature or detail”.
What he meant by that for example: was when you
bent something the hard way at it’s thickest or upset
point…….your getting something that is going to
catch someone’s eye. Making your transitions at the
most dramatic stock size change is going to lend itself
to the best flow into the rest of your piece……. And
give a nice “balance” even if it isn’t symmetrical. I
thought that was very well put when I saw what he
meant applying it to his off plane scrolls and large
sculptures he had built.
John fields a question
Nancy keeps the fire
burning brightly
John Little really put on a nice slide show
on Friday night. His humor and approach to doing
things a “bit different” or “out of plane” really
made for some beautiful pictures of his work and
an eye-opener to another tangent something can
run off on in metalworking. When he mentioned
the “outside the press” dies he’s made for his hydraulic press and told how he could bend a 7 foot
scroll (forged from 2” solid stock) with little effort
and not run into the frame or ram of the machine………. the only thing I can say is “Thank
You John Little!” - what a great idea!! John had
designed a set of three point “pincers” that worked
5-6 inches outside the press dies which left the entire plane of bending open………. He even went
on to explain how you could work out on long
pieces and not hit the floor by canting them upward to remain in space while you worked, then
bend them in when you get to them. This kept him
from tipping his press over as the long stock tried
to pole vault the machine when the stock hit the
floor.
Winter 2005
Page 6
John also showed us the benefits of having a
great gal to work with. Nancy, his wife, was such a
treat to watch work, knowing just when to pull iron for
his project, remind him of what was in the fire, and her
ability to strike or assist on any process was evident
this couple has had it together for a long time.
And strikes when
needed!
What can you say after seeing the air hammer
that Jack Pennell designed, built, and brought to the
meet for John to use? The pass thru hole, the single
beam and attached anvil, the anvil fastening system,
New England Blacksmiths
the pneumatic plumbing, the guides and ram design all were way above any of what us mere mortals could build, but the limit switch trigger on the
hammer might just win an award for being one of
the most clever approaches to solving a problem
I’ve seen in some time.
Setting up Jack’s hammer
I took many pictures of Jack’s design as it
is a fine example of how a Kinyon style hammer
can head off from the conventional set of plans
that ABANA sells - and become a really well built,
safe, and hard hitting hammer for your shop.
Jack also took the time to make the same
size dies for his hammer that John Little runs on
his Beaudry in Nova Scotia, Canada. This allowed
John to show us his really well designed clamp
Ralph
Sproul
holding!
cage & the drop in/hardy hole style spring swage
holder for his tooling.
I also enjoyed the approach that John used
in making his tooling. He looks for more exaggerated stock movement, so the way he made his
forming tools extra deep for his sculptural base
making, or his approach to welding his lollypop
Winter 2005
Page 7
style handle to his ball bearings for a more dramatic
sinking of the tool – was another real nice approach to
fastening the tool to the handle.
John went on to show us this beautiful flower
he had
See more of Becky’s work
made and
in the Anvil’s Ring
how it
was
done…
then
came the
confession that
his
daughter,
Becky
Little
had actually come up with it when playing with a
piece of wire in his shop…….. everyone enjoyed that
point, as well as what a great idea it was, and how
simple it was to make a flower this way.
Of course everyone paid close attention to the
beer bottle opener that John made to look like a
dragon that would hang up on the wall, or sit conveniently on your table awaiting the next refreshing
brew.
John also told a story
about traveling all around
the world and finding this
great idea for making an
air assist forge draft/air
supply which he sketched
out for us. He said he
found this in his travels
and when he asked this
From John’s web site.
smith about it………the
fellow had taken the idea
from one of his neighbors about 8 miles down the road
from John in Nova Scotia! ………once again bringing it full circle.
I really enjoyed John Little’s demonstration,
his story telling, and his tool making ability to take the
iron just that little bit further – to get the results you’re
after. Thanks John Little! We sure appreciate the
demo you did for us, and I’m sorry for all those who
missed it, there was a lot of great information in that
presentation.
Ralph Sproul – Bear Hill Blacksmith
New England Blacksmiths
Working on the “dragon”
Getting fired up
The crowd pays close attention
Dick Menkello
Winter 2005
Jim Ellis (Crew master), Bob Jordan (again) and Bob LaPoir
Page 8
New England Blacksmiths
We had good clean fun in the sheepshed
Dinning hall set for supper
Some of John’s tools &
tooling
Some work had to
be done by hand!
The power hammer was
rested on occasion
A trusting spouse who strikes
with accuracy and diligence!
These pictures came from several members and I must admit I’ve lost track of who’s are who’s.
So thanks to you all, is the best a befuddled editor can do as an apology. FWM
Winter 2005
Page 9
New England Blacksmiths
NEB Crew Demonstrates at Fitchburg Forge-In
by Rick Korinek
Neil Mansfield &
Student, James
Millar
On Saturday, October 9, the City of Fitchburg
hosted what it hopes to be the first annual European styled blacksmith festival. Under the sun of
an Indian Summer day, three groups of blacksmiths demonstrated for the public. Minuteman
International, a wholesale supplier and importer of
forged metal work, was the co-sponsor of the event
and provided $2,250 in cash awards for forging
competitions.
Student, Cecilita Felix
Lisa Wong, city of Fitchburg & Bob Philips
Student, Sasha Gaulin
Mark Brundage
Three master blacksmiths from Poland
impressed the crowd
as they created a
long stemmed rose
and several other
detailed sculptural
pieces. Just before
the start of the fair, a
commuter van full of
students and a stake truck with equipment arrived
from Assabet Valley Technical High School. After quickly unloading numerous forges, anvils and
tools, 10 students began working a variety of metalsmithing process including forging and cold
working copper by sinking it into wooden forms.
The Assabet Valley crew was popular with spectators both for their enthusiasm and the fact their
crew included 4 female students. The students
were assisted by their teachers, Neil Mansfield
and Mark Chludenski.
Winter 2005
Page 10
Students, John
Bonnett’s,back
side, and
Mike Paglieroni
In the foreground
Five members of the NEB used the group’s newly
equipped trailer and portable forging station to demonstrate. The group set out to make a grille to be installed in a permanent display in the City’s River Front
Park. The design consisted of hand forged fish swimming among vertical seaweed to which the fish were
riveted. The group consisted of Bob Philips,
Mark Brundage, Carl Tappan, Steve Mylady and
New England Blacksmiths
Assabet students work
myself.
We used pure iron for the fish and did some
double striking to spread out the tail and body areas. We will get together at my shop to finish the
piece and send it to the city to install. For some of
us, it was obvious it was the first time we attempted to made fish. But by the second attempt,
we were able to create some unique and stylized
specimens. Our fish were based on a scaled up
version of the small fish that Ray Ciemny makes.
There were 2 parts to the forging competition.
Prior to the festival, smiths submitted pieces which
will become part of a permanent decorated screen
in the park. The theme was “Life Along the River
Bank.” Six panels were submitted, including several by the Polish smiths, a local blacksmith and
Neil Mansfield. The work was judged by local
artisans and Neil’s grille won second place. A total of $1,750 in prize money was awarded for the 4
top finishers. In the competition for best live demonstration, the judges awarded prizes to each of the
3 groups who demonstrated. The NEB crew decided to donate the $167 it won to the NEB trailer
project.
On balance, the Fitchburg Forge In was a success,
I wish to thank you all, NEB board and members
for your interest in young folks forging. I feel it's
the most important task that any organization can
do to keep their membership growing into the next
generation. I have signed up a few of my outstanding students this year to become members of
NEB and ABANA. Even my graduate students
have stayed in touch with me and forging. They
too, became members as well. I annually nominate
several students for memberships in the NEB, paid
for by the school system.
Neil Mansfield
due to staffing cutbacks at the city, this year’s event
was scaled down from a 3-day to a 1-day event. In
spite of this, the event was well attended and received
by the public. Other activities included music by several live bands and booths staffed by local artists. The
city and local organizers were very encouraged and
are planning to host a larger and more organized festival next Fall. I encourage you to watch for an announcement and consider demonstrating at next year’s
event.
Rick Korinek
“-but my favorite is blacksmithing, there is just something enchanting about it. I slowly gain experience
with the brake drum and hair drier forge I have at
home. I love what I do and hope to be able to do it ’till
the day I die! “
John Bonnett
“I am lucky to have had such an amazing experience
as I did during our trip to the Fitchburg Forge-In. It
was really worthwhile for me to be able to do what I
love in front of so many people, some of whom had
never heard of blacksmithing!”
Cecilita Felix
What did the young people think of the day?
(just a sample of the notes written by them)
“My experience at Fitchburg was great! It was
cool to see the other blacksmiths and their equipment. I definitely think I’d go again if given the
opportunity.”
Mike Paglieroni
Winter 2005
Page 11
“My experience—was amazing. I love blacksmithing
and there is nothing I love more than showing people
what we do.—the reaction of viewers, when they realize a woman is creating the art that they see. The joy
you can bring others through art is interminable.”
Sasha Gaulin
New England Blacksmiths
Propane Burner Workshop at
Johnston, RI
Fred Mikkelsen organized a “Burner Workshop” at John D’Abates shop on the 13th of November.
Those NEB members that attended came from Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.
Marc Godbout had previously built a few firebrick and rammable refractory gas forges, so he stepped
up to inform people of his experiences, a little information on safety, burner design (including the one we were
1 gallon = .13368 cubic feet OR
1 cubic ft. = 7.48 gallons
So, If a 100 lb tank of propane holds approximately
20 gallons of Liquid Propane then that would be approximately 2 ½ cubic feet of liquid x expansion rate
from liquid to gas of 270 x 25 cubic feet of air = a
fireball the size of 16,875 cubic feet or a shop with a
10 foot ceiling that is 35’ x 50’ building in size for
that single 100 lb cylinder in an accident.
Now you can clearly see why the fire marshal and
your local propane installation contractor does not
want a 400 gallon tank which can be filled with 300
gallons (40 cubic feet of liquid propane) – so it
MUST be kept a minimum of 40 feet from a building.
That would be a fireball 16 times the size of the 35 x
50 shop.
The bottom line is RESPECT this fuel and:
Half the workshop “crew”.
going to build that day – and why), and on into the different gas forge designs one could consider. His talk
was educational and very informative.
One of the topics that Marc covered was the expansion of propane. Handouts were given – the potential of what’s really in one of those hundred pound tanks
was made more obvious by this following write up:
Liquid Propane expansion example:
There is a reason that the fire marshal demands
certain rules be followed for Propane installations.
There is a reason for the safety caps, the amount of
pressure allowed to be run in a building, and that tanks
MUST be kept upright, etc.
This is why: Liquid propane expands about 270 times
from its pressurized volume.
It takes 5 cubic feet of oxygen to make that 1 cubic foot
of gas burn at a neutral flame, so it would therefore take
25 cubic feet of air to get that neutral burn with air containing only 20% oxygen.
Winter 2005
Page 12
1) Never allow liquid propane to enter your
shop
2) Never store these tanks on their sides
3) Keep safety caps in place when tank is not
fastened securely
4) Use only propane compatible materials. (the
Mercaptain <stink> in propane will deteriorate most rubbers and seals) So use propane
hose, T grade torch hose, etc.
5) Never allow someone to “overfill” a propane
tank – this is single greatest cause of accidents with liquid propane. Only 75% of a
tanks volume should be filled.
6) Use the correct size lines and hoses for your
equipment
7) PUT SHUT OFFS EVERYWHERE – so
you can get to one in an emergency
(Example: broken hose) there are FIVE locations you want to place these.
a.
b.
c.
d.
At the tank
At the outside entrance to the building
At the regulator manifold
At the forge – (I use a quick coupler
there – which is a shut off of sorts)
e. At the burners
New England Blacksmiths
threading the mig tip into the fuel supply tube easy,
Marc then covered different forge designs
and having built two styles he covered making a
forge from firebricks, and also how to build one
using ram-able refractory. He showed the different
types of brick (insulating and hard brick), and explained how he’d “formed” his ram-able refractory
forge.
The next part of the workshop was to build
the burners themselves and Fred Mikkelsen had
already acquired all the fittings, plumbing parts,
and hardware so that 17 burners could be made
from start to test firing in two hours. Marc and
Ralph Sproul led this part of the workshop
The “Professers
of gas!
beause they had built many burners in the past.
Fred had also ordered a case of Michael
Porter’s book “Gas Burners for Forges, Furnaces, and Kilns”. This is a tremendous resource
book for those thinking of building a gas forge and
wanting to know more about it before just diving
in.
John D’Abate’s lathe came in handy for
and the set screw holes in the square headed pipe
plugs to set the in-feed tubes and hold them in place
during operation.
Most of the parts and fittings were sourced
from two places. Fred chose to get the T’s, mig tips,
choke plates, and flares from Larry Zoeller, and the
other plumbing parts and materials needed from
McMaster Carr. Fred went to local hardware suppliers
to find the coupling nuts, bolts, and small springs to
hold the choke plates to the burner. Mark Kellog was
nice enough to bring his welding helmet and take care
of all the welding that the burners required.
Bob Lynch
Mark Kellog
Marc Godbout prepared a real nice hand out for more
material resources and sites to check out on the web
for those who had access to computers. These sites
showed other options for gas forges that one could
consider building.
Ralph, Owen,
at the lathe.
This was his list that he handed out:
boring the infeed tube holes into the square headed
pipe plugs, and Rick Korinek brought along a
nice hand tapping machine that made the task of
Winter 2005
Page 13
ON THE NET
The following are some resources you might find useful on the Internet.
New England Blacksmiths
Ron Reil's Forge and Burner Design: http://
reil1.net/design1.shtml
This is the “granddaddy” of propane forge design.
Take your time to read all of it, as it's got lots of
info in all its nooks and crannies.
Anvilfire: http://www.anvilfire.com/
All sorts of blacksmithing info, including stuff on
gas forges. The forums are good places to ask
questions if you run into problems.
TheForge: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/
listinfo/theforge
This is really an email mailing list, similar to a forum, on all blacksmithing topics. You ask a question and get plenty of knowledgeable answers. The
website is really instructions on how to join.
....
Even though there were 4 inches of snowfall
that November morning, it didn’t deter anyone from
showing up. John had plowed the driveway well ahead
of anyone arriving, had coffee made and bagles on
hand for those attending. The fire was lit in the wood
stove - so a warm and casual day was had by all.
Bud Heaton came by at noon and Fred told
him that Wayne Reetz was looking for a post vice.
Bud’s reply was “I think I’ve got one
left!” ……… The crowd roared.
IFORGEIRON: http://www.iforgeiron.com
A nice collection of projects, tips, and tricks.
Gas Forge Collection: http://www.iron-to-livewith.com/iron/gasforgethbs.phtml
A neat collection of pictures of very different gas
forges.
Tales of a New Blacksmith: http://
ironringforge.com/
OK, a little plug for Marc's website. But if you follow the forge project pages, you'll get some different ideas on building your own.
Would you buy a post vice from this man ?!
Carl Backman,Jack Pennell, Owen
Bostrom, Bob
Lynch, & Joe
Chadwick test
fire a burnerAOK
Zoeller Forge: http://www.geocities.com/
zoellerforge/
Larry's a blacksmith who likes helping blacksmiths. He has lots of burner building info and
stocks parts for the side-arm burners you'll build in
this workshop.
Jay Hayes: xmas4lites@earthlink.net
Jay is another blacksmith who like to help. This is
an email address. Just ask for his price list and
you'll get a list of everything you need to build a
forge; plumbing, sheet metal tubes, regulators, etc.
McMaster-Carr: http://www.mcmaster.com/
A great source of parts for future burners, and just
about anything plumbing, electrical, mechanical,
Ralph’s idle circuit, set up
Winter 2005
Page 14
New England Blacksmiths
Demo Trailer update:
The Demo trailer committee had a workshop at Jim Fecteau’s Shop in Vermont on Dec
19th. Our goal was to make the club’s Demo
Trailer easier to use, load, and keep clean and organized for the members using it.
It was amazing how 1/3 of the time went to
discussing “creative crating” as we talked about
ideas and how to approach them - but by the end of
the day I think we had a pretty nice set up where
things will be stored & packed in the trailer for
hauling.
We got the forge “storage locators” down,
the anvil and two wheel truck location figured,
then the vice "drawer" under the forge. Lucian
came up with a great idea for storing the axle for
the forge and we completed that as well.
the lack of background noise in their videos.
Here's the sketch of the front shelf unit we discussed for making at our next workshop as time ran
short on completing all the work. We have all the materials we need - so we just have to set a day to finish
it up in Jan or Feb when our schedules lighten up. We
figured this shelf unit could store the spare tire, the
hand crank blower, the new 3” high temp flex-hose,
the jack and lug wrench, light adapters, trailer forms,
and other display items from rolling around the trailer
during transport and damaging the plywood sides.
Anyone wishing to help out (that can easily
find their way to Vermont for the next work day) contact the Demo Trailer Committee about helping out.
Jim Fecteau (his contact info can be found on
page 2), Chris Caswell, Lucian Avery, Bob Bordeaux,
Ralph Sproul & Ian Eddy are the members of the committee. Ralph Sproul
A Tip from H. Patrick Thornton; At Ray Ciemny’s demo in Groton
he told us about the "Sharpie" double
ended markers. I found one I like better
because it gives a more controlled
line. Its the "Pilot" Paint Marker extra
fine. The "Pilot" paint markers I found
in art supply stores. Happy drawing!
The NEB’s new electric forge blower came out
nice and quiet! All those members looking to
video the upcoming demos will be pleased with
Winter 2005
Page 15
A Tip from the Morrell’s; We have for ages
been all thumbs when it comes to sharpening tungsten
electrodes for our TIG. My son, Justin came up with
a positive solution to this problem. By using a variable speed cordless drill with a quick chuck as your
holder, slowly rotate the electrode against the grinding wheel for clean sharp tips. Be sure to do this
from the upper side of the grinding wheel to prevent
grinding dust from entering the cordless drill. If you do the whole pack of
electrodes at one time, then you always have fresh electrodes to use.
Thanks Justin!
New England Blacksmiths
“Meet me by the Garden Gate”
The seed catalogs have started to arrive and gardeners are
dreaming of all the great things they’ll grow in the Spring
sunshine. What are blacksmiths thinking about?
Garden Gates! !
Hi Fred,
There will be a 2 day program at the “Brentwood North”
Teaching Center (my shop in Portland, ME )
2 successive Saturdays on Feb 19 & 26.
The program will be the garden gate. Day one will include
materials, tools, and creation of parts highlighting
traditional techniques. Day two will be an assembly phase.
One gate will be created and the completed product will be
donated to the iron in the hat at the Spring Meet.
The cost will be $70.00 per person, for both days combined,
for hammer participants. There will be a $30.00 per person, both days combined, charge for observers. I am limiting the hammer participants to 8 with no limit on observers. The hours will be 9 to 4. Morning refreshments
will be supplied. There are a considerable number of eating spots with in a mile of the shop for lunch.
RSVP required by 2/13, payment due on day one.
Directions to the shop are Maine turnpike I-95 to exit 48. At the end of the exit bear right. At the second
light take a right on to Warren Ave. Notice the Home Depot also on the right. Travel 1 1/2 mile and the
Ball and Chain Forge is on the right. It is after Portland Self Storage which is on the same side of the
street and across from the Lifestyles Fitness Center. The street address is 56 Warren Ave
Thanks, Bob Menard, ME Rep.
Once upon a time, a blacksmith forged 12 of the letters
of the alphabet. He forged the letters “A” to “L”. Smiths
charged by weight of material used in those days, and 11
of them weighed exactly the same. But one was different
and was either lighter or heavier than each one of the others.
With only a balance beam scale he had to find the odd
weighted letter. He used the scale only 3 times to find the
odd letter, and then he knew if it was lighter or heavier.
Norm asks, “How did he do it?”
Champlin family blacksmith shop,
Cold Spring, New York
Your Editor will award a ridiculously inadequate
prize to the first correct answer received. FWM
Another Blacksmith Logic Puzzle from
Norm Champlin who jokingly defines
himself as “Self Appointed New York
Rep.”
Winter 2005
Page 16
New England Blacksmiths
N
A
I
L
3/8 pipe
arbor
3/4 pipe
twister
pliers
Fuller just
To prop
For photo
Norm Champlin’s Horseshoe Nail Ring Maker
3/4 pipe slides over 3/8 pipe which is bracketed to be either vise or bench mounted. The nail is “kinked” with
the homemade swage and a fuller of 1/2” rnd. It is then clamped to the end of the 3/8 pipe (Norm is using
small vise grips), the “twister” is slid forward so the “finger” slides over the nail shank (near to the head) and
then it is rolled into a ring by the “twister”. If a helix, instead of a ring is formed, he uses 2 of these bending
forks he has made of flat stock, with one being held in the vise. (I wonder if a tab with a hole corresponding to
the bevel on the nail head (pritchel punched) and then
slotted might hold the nail better than the pliers?FWM”
Twister
One of two forks for
Trueing up the rings
Norm says the kids love these things. I know Bud
Heaton and I often are asked to make nail rings and
decline, because we know once we start the kids will
line up out the door and we won’t get any blacksmith-
Finger
ing done!
He also sent me an idea from a summer program he did with kids from a church group.
The kids had been given play money to spend on several different booths and he was in
charge of a unique one. He made up 10 different small branding irons. The “business
ends were about 3” long and they were all symbols associated with Christianity. The kids
would purchase wooden disks (4” dia. Cut from a log and about 3/4” thick with a small
hole drilled for a lanyard) at one booth and then bring them to Norm. They would choose
one of the designs, color coded to the respective iron, and, depending on their age, he
would help or would brand their disk.
This was part of a Church Fair and his spot was very popular and he says, “Somehow I
got through the day without anyone getting burned and there was a lot of wood branded
that day. Which is to say I was well paid, in fake money!”
Winter 2005
Page 17
New England Blacksmiths
December 8th, 2004
To All,
The flags of Blacksmithing hang at half-staff today.
Our most lovable curmudgeon, hard headed salesman, and
friend/helpmate to many has passed from our midst.
Any of us who "did business" with Bill have great stories to
tell- Please tell them often and freely. For in that way he
will always be with us.
"Hey, what do you need today?"
Bill, may you rest in peace.
Fred Mikkelsen, New England Blacksmiths, editor
Bill Gichner, 1913-2004
Fred,
You probably have heard about Bill Gichner’s death last Wednesday (December 8th, 2004). I was aware of his
medical problems but he seemed to be doing well, for 91, and I spent 13 days with him in October when we
took the trip with Peter Happny and Mack Beal to MOMM. Bill was like a teenager on that trip; eating well
and saying he felt great, getting away from home and on the road again. Of course he never complained, ever.
The three of us, went down to Washington DC to say our last goodbye to our long time friend. There were
about 100 people in attendance, all this only 26 hours after Bill’s death. Nol Putnam’s eulogy was very tender
and true to Bill. Peter also said a few words about his long time friend.
David Court
Isaiah, chapter 45, verse 12
The smith with the tongs doth worketh in the coals, and fashioneth it with hammers, and worketh it with the
strength of his arms : yea, he is hungry, and his strength faileth : he drinketh no water, and is faint.
King James Bible
Winter 2005
Page 18
New England Blacksmiths
Lory Wedow’s 20 minute Pine Cone
From a Berkshire Blacksmiths Winter meeting
Several years ago.
Winter 2005
Page 19
New England Blacksmiths
Winter 2005
Page 20
New England Blacksmiths
Odds and Ends
I thought this spark testing page might be useful to people, I found it looking for something completely different:
<http://www.ohiosteel.org/homepage/Spark%20Testing%20for%20Mystery%20Metals.pdf>
Steve Smith, Brownfield, ME
Walmart makes and sells Simple Green and it works fine as the surfactant in Superquench. I have used it for several
years when I could not find the Basic I. It seems to have all the properties that are needed.
Frederick Faller
- I wanted to pass on some info that I worked up on Annular Cutters (cutters for making tenons) from Milwaukee Electric Tool. I talked to a technician there and he gave me the size cutters for making the different tenons.
13/16 gives 1/2 tenon,15/16 gives 5/8, 11/16 gives 3/8, 9/16 gives 1/4
I get them from MSC
George Martell
I have been reading quite a bit lately about making your own firepot and would like to share a couple of ideas with you.
I come from a welding and pipefitting and general fabrication background of 30 plus years, and am still a beginner as
far as blacksmithing goes. It seems most commercial firepots are cast, and to me this would be for long life over a steel
pot. I would think that using a heavier thickness in steel like 3/8 instead of 1/4 plate would help a lot. I like the idea of
the 3/4 at the base. You might get more life out of the pot by using 285 Gr.C, or maybe 516 Gr.70 "boiler" plate as opposed to A36. Also I think you may get a better blast pattern if you bevel the sides and ends of the blast slot to maybe
60 degrees, or the approximate angle of the ends and sides of the pot. if you want to get really creative, I think you
could fit a clinker breaker ball and rod in the blast pipe without too much problem. It seems that if you didn't do a lot of
heavy coke forging and welding, this type of firepot would be a good alternative.
As soon as the weather warms a bit, I'm thinking of trying the pot you mention in the Jan. newsletter. If you'd like I'll
send along some pictures when I'm done.
Steve Poehlman
At the left is a clever idea from Paul Morneault, it is a stop
block for his cutoff saw. The handle is welded to a disk drilled
eccentrically so a downward push on the lever locks the stop in
position against the channel iron web that forms his table. This is
worth the time to fabricate and much better than relying on “C”
clamps or vise-grips. It lifts free when not needed.
From “the Anvil’s Ring” 1988
Winter 2005
Page 21
New England Blacksmiths
NEW ENGLAND BLACKSMITHS MEMBERSHIP FORM
Dues are $20.00/yr. (Canadian: $32.00) due each January 1. Send checks to: NEB Membership,
170 North Shore Rd.
Derry, NH 03038
Name
Date
Business name, if applicable
Address
Phone (
)
City ___________________________ State__________ Zip___________
Fax
)
(
E-mail
Web Site
Occupation__________________________________________________ Year of birth
Check forging skill:
___Beginner
___Intermediate
___Advanced
Blacksmithing areas of interest
Check all that apply:
___Teach Blacksmithing
___Teach Related Metal-working Skills
Which skills?
___Do Public Smithing Demos ___Demo Fee (Amount:_________) ___Require Travel $
___Would hold NEB Office
___ABANA Member
Where did you hear of us?
Comments:
Winter 2005
Page 22
New England Blacksmiths
The EXPANDED N.E.B. VIDEO
LIBRARY, 2003
The following tapes are for rental only:
“Power Hammer Forging” 5 tapes 2 hrs. Each
By Clifton Ralph
The following Tapes may be Rented or copies purchased:
“Treadle Hammer”
By Clay Spencer
Tape #1 Introduction, Making tools, "Wizard head
Knocker"
Tape #2 Shovels, Quench Formula, "Dogwood & Iris
Blossoms
Tape #3 Candle Holder, Tool making, Discussion Decorative panels.
Tape #4 Tempering Ranges, Small Bowl, Free Standing
Cross.
Tape #5 Working Flat Stock, Making tools.
“Woodwrights Shop”
By Roy Underhill
Tape #1 Making an Axe, Chisel from Bog Iron, Anderson
Forge
Tape #2 making a forge from Brake drum, Anvil From
Junk
Yard steel, Spike Dogs, Heat-treating Chisel, Roy and Peter Ross make a Cant Hook.
“Forge and Anvil” Vol. #1
By Elmer Roush
Beginning Blacksmithing - 5 projects, Thumb Latch,
Colonial American Hardware and Fixtures
"New Additions, Tapes"
NOMMA ED. Foundation 1997 Video series
“Basic of Forging”, 1 hr 30 min.
“Learn how to Forge”
By Bill Epps
Tape #1 Forged Animal heads- Dragon, Long horn Steer,
Ram, Horse.
Tape #2 Making Tongs- Three joints, Twisted, Traditional,
Champion. Three types of Jaws- Rat tail, Wolf, Bolt
Tape #3 Leaves and Flowers- Five leaves: Cut
Vein, Folded Raised Vein, Peapod, Oak. Five Flowers:
Trumpet, Morning Glory, Dogwood, Calla Lilly, Rose Bud
Tape #4 Bugs and Birds- Scorpion, Snail, Dragonfly,
Hummingbird, Swimming Swan, Winged Swan.
Winter 2005
“The Power Hammer Cycle”
How to cure the Bang-Tap-Miss Blues (1 hr)
By Dave Manzer
Page 23
George Dixon @ Cassidy Bros Forge 1990
Bud Oggier 1991
Francis Whitaker @ South County Museum 1991
Tapes #1 and #2
Francis Whitaker, A Yellin-esque Quatrafoil
Peter Renzetti @ Camp Leslie 1991
Tapes #1 and #2
"Uncle Bud Roast” 1992
Rob Gunter, @ South County Museum 1993
Rob Jordan, @ Orleans, MA, 1994
Frank Turley, @ Stratham, NH, 1995
Carl Close and Bob Compton, @ Manchester, NH, 1996
Rob Lyons @ Brentwood, 2001
Suffolk Latch, H+L and Butterfly Hinges
L-tec Welding + Cutting Systems Safety-composite
(45 min.)
Audio Tape by Walt Scadden
"How to survive in Business as an Artist, Craftsman or
Creative Person."
Rental fee is $40/ tape. This "fee" is returned to
the member upon its timely return to the library assuming it
has not been damaged in any way. Tapes that are
available to be purchased can be done so for a fee of
$10/ tape, which includes postage. This is a new
service to our membership and gives everyone the
opportunity to build their own blacksmithing library.
Make checks payable to: NEB and forward to:
Tom Perkins
NEB Video Librarian
141B North St.
Georgetown, Mass. 01833
I can be reached either by phone or email.
Phone # 978-352-2735
Email perkinstssg@yahoo.com
An idea:
Buy a video from a commercial source and then
after you’ve watched it enough times to have
memorized it and driven your family crazy, donate
it to the library!
New England Blacksmiths
Tailgate Sales Area
Rusty stuff from here to there
Leonard Masters is selling his 25# new style LG
hammer. This is the later style which is powered from
the back and has dovetail ways for the ram. It's in
good condition but without a motor. The price is
$2500.00. Serious buyers, only, should
contact Leonard @ 603-228-6337. from David Court
Fred Mikkelsen has 6 copies of “Gas Burners for Forges,
Furnaces & Kilns” by Michael Porter, for sale.
Price: $18.00 postpaid, check or money order to him @:
23 Waterman Dr
North Scituate, RI 02857-2036
In search of a blacksmith: from Ted Jones
Dear Mr. Jones,
My name is Liz Gaughan and I am from a company
called Realistic ReEnactments LLC in Ct. I came
across your name through the New England Blacksmith's website. I was wondering if you might be able
to help me, or know someone who can.
My company produces the Park City Renaissance Faire
in Ansonia, CT (west of New Haven) and we are currently looking for a blacksmith who would be willing to
come and demonstrate for two consecutive weekends in
Ansonia. The dates are July 8-10 and July 15-17, 2005.
Would you please let me know if you know of anyone
who might be interested? Our number is (203) 8886204.
Thank you for your time, and I hope to hear from you.
Liz Gaughan,
The Park City Renaissance Faire
Larry was big help to us for the workshop, so this is the
least we can do to thank him. FWM, editor
Fred,
I would like to ask you to put an ad in your newsletter for
me if possible. The information below is pertaining to my
business, Zoeller Forge. On my website there are several
burner plans and simple air hammer modifications plans
that you can use to print in your newsletter also. The plans
may be found at www.geocities.com/zoellerforge <http://
www.geocities.com/zoellerforge>
Zoeller Forge
4312 Lahnna Dr
Louisville
State: KY
Zip: 40216
Phone: 502-361-0706
Email: zman59@earthlink.net
<mailto:zman59@earthlink.net>
Website: www.geocities.com/zoellerforge <http://
www.geocities.com/zoellerforge>
Description: Supplier of stainless steel burner flares to fit
the Reil , Side arm, Mongo and T-Rex burners. He carries
a full line of quality propane regulators, hoses and fittings.
He sells all the parts for the burner designs in Michael Porter's book both separately and in kit form. He has 1" and 2"
Durablanket 2300 degrees ceramic blanket and a refractory
coating, Plistx 900F, that will replace ITC 100. Call for
pricing.
Thanks in advance, Larry Zoeller
Don’t Forget,
When Making Your Vacation Plans!
Go to www.caniron.ca/registration.htm
Or e-mail: info@caniron.ca
It is a chance for the NEB to help our neighbor affiliate, the Maritime Blacksmiths Association and
have a great time doing it.
Next years ABANA Conf. Is way out in Washington
State and this is right next door!
Fred Mikkelsen, Editor
Winter 2005
Page 24
New England Blacksmiths
What follows are the proposed changes to the N.E.B. By-Laws.
These changes are to bring us into compliance with IRS rules for non-profit
corporations.
Sections have been rearranged for these purposes and will be confusing if
compared to the sections they replace.
A vote will be taken on June 4 th, at the membership meeting to be held
at Brentwood, NH
Please bear with us, more than 150 man hours have gone into getting this right!
The By-Laws Committee
Proposed revisions to BY-LAWS by BY-LAWS Committee and NEB BOD October, 2004
Changes indicated by bold underline type or parenthetical bold type.
[Please note that in many instances the order of the articles are rearranged with or without a change in text.]
NEW ENGLAND BLACKSMITHS
BY-LAWS
Revised October 15, 1999 CORRECTED April 11,2002
ARTICLE I - NAME
1. The name of this Association shall be “New England Blacksmiths”. The official abbreviation shall be “N.E.B.”
2. Seal: The seal of the Association shall be as more particularly shown in the following impressions and in addition to the letters N.E.B., may also
include the full name of the Association.
ARTICLE II- PURPOSES & OBJECTIVES
The “New England Blacksmiths” is organized exclusively for educational purposes, including but not limited to, the dissemination of information on blacksmithing and ornamental metal-working to the general public, to encourage and facilitate the training of persons interested in the art of
blacksmithing and ornamental metal-working, to provide educational materials of practical significance for those persons interested in the art, and to
organize and promote seminars, demonstrations and exhibitions for its members and the general public illustrating the art of blacksmithing and ornamental metal-working.
ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP
Qualifications:
Any person engaged in, allied to, or interested in the art of blacksmithing or ornamental iron-working may become a
member by filing an application for membership on forms approved by the Association and the payment of one year’s dues.
(Changed to read: Eligibility: Any person engaged in, (allied to - omitted) or interested in the art of blacksmithing or ornamental
metal-working may become a member by filing an application for membership on forms approved by the Association and with the payment of
one year’s dues.)
ARTICLE -IV FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year shall coincide with the calendar year.
ARTICLE - V MEMBERSHIP DUES
Annual dues for the coming fiscal year shall be fixed by a majority vote of the members present at an annual meeting. Such dues shall be
paid by January l~ for the ensuing year. Dues will not be prorated when paid during the year and will be credited for the year in which they are paid.
ARTICLE - VI- DEFAULT AND TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP
1. To minimize expenses of supporting nonpaying members (newsletters, meeting notices, etc.) by reducing the period non-renewing members will be “carried” from one year to three months. Also, allows reinstatement upon payment.
(Changed to read: To minimize expenses of supporting nonpaying members (newsletters, meeting notices, etc.) non-renewing mem-
Winter 2005
Page 25
New England Blacksmiths
bers will be “carried” for three months. Annual membership can be reinstated upon full dues payment during the year.)
2. The Board of Directors, after notice and providing opportunity to be heard, may terminate the membership of any member for
conduct or activities which are detrimental to the purposes and objectives of the Association.
(Changed to read: The Board of Directors, after providing notice and opportunity to be heard, may terminate the membership of any member for conduct or activities which are detrimental to the purposes and objectives of the Association.)
ARTICLE - VII MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS
1. Time and Place: The time and place of the meetings shall be fixed by the Board of Directors. To the extent possible, they shall be
held in conjunction with the Spring and Fall N.E.B. Conferences held in one of the New England States.
(Changed to read: Annual Meeting: There shall be an annual meeting of the general membership at a time and place fixed by
the Board of Directors. To the extent possible, such annual meeting shall be held in conjunction with the fall N.E.B. conference. The
membership shall conduct the election of the Directors and Officers at the Annual Meeting.)
2. Annual Meetings: There shall be an annual meeting of the general membership at a time and place fixed by the Board of Directors. To the extent possible, such annual meeting shall be held in conjunction with the fall N.E.B. conference. At such meeting
the membership shall conduct the election of the Directors and Officers.
(Changed to read: Time and Place: The time and place of Association membership meetings in addition to the Annual Meeting shall be fixed by the Board of Directors. To the extent possible, they shall be held in conjunction with the Spring and Fall N.E.B.
Conferences held in one of the New England States.)
3. Voting: Each member shall have one vote and shall be entitled to vote by proxy in writing to the Secretary. Matters will be decided by a majority vote of members attending the meeting and written proxy votes received.
(Changed to read: Special Meetings: Special meetings of the members, for any purpose, unless otherwise prescribed by statute
or by the Articles of Incorporation, may be called by the President and shall be called by the President at the request, in writing, of a
majority of the Board of Directors, or at the request, in writing, of a majority of the members. Such request shall state the purpose or
purposes of the proposed meeting.)
4.
Special Meetings: Special meetings of the members, for any purpose, unless otherwise prescribed by statute or by the Certificate
of Incorporation, may be called by the President and shall be called by the President at the request, in writing, of a majority of the
Board of Directors, or at the request, in writing of a majority of the members. Such request shall state the purpose or purposes of
the proposed meeting.
(Changed to read: Voting: Each member shall have one vote and shall be entitled to vote by absentee ballot. Matters will be decided by a majority vote of members present and written absentee ballots received.)
5.
Quorum: A majority of the Members present in person shall constitute a quorum which is necessary to transact business at all
meetings of the members.
(Changed to read: – Ten percent of the total paid membership shall constitute a quorum which is necessary to transact published business at all meetings of the members. For business matters, motions initiated from the floor shall require two thirds of the membership
present to transact business.)
ARTICLE - VIII- DIRECTORS
1.
Number and allocations of the Board of Directors: The Board of Directors shall consist of 17 people. All shall be members of N.E.B.
The officers of N.E.B. shall be:- President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary and Membership Coordinator. Remainder of the Board
shall consist of 12 Directors. Each New England State (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island & Vermont) shall have 2 Directors as representatives. In those cases where a person has more than one position, the “one person-one vote”
rule will prevail.
(Changed to read: Number and allocation of the Board of Directors: The Board of Directors shall consist of 17 members of NEB, to
wit: 12 State Representatives (2 from each State representing each of the 6 New England States) and 5 Officers. Officers shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Membership Coordinator. Each Board member may cast only one vote, regardless the
number of Board positions held.)
2.
Duties of Directors: The prosperity, affairs, activities, and concerns of the organization shall be vested in the Board of Directors. The Board
of Directors may:
(a)
Print and circulate documents and publish newsletters.
(b) Communicate with other organizations interested in blacksmithing.
(c)
Employ agents.
(d) Devise and execute such objectives of the organization as to best protect the interest and welfare of the members.
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New England Blacksmiths
(Changed to read: Duties of Directors: The prosperity, affairs, activities, and concerns of the organization shall be vested in the
Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may:
(a) Print and circulate documents and publish newsletters;
(b) Communicate with other organizations interested in blacksmithing;
(c)
Employ agents; and,
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
Shall devise and execute such objectives of the organization as to best protect the interest and welfare of the members.
Approve an annual budget as proposed by the Treasurer and/or Finance Committee.
Additional duties may be set by policy as best suit the interests of the Association.
Publish a Treasure’s financial report to the membership twice per year – every two quarters – preferably at the Spring and Fall conferences and/or – by newsletter.)
3.
Election of Directors: At the annual meeting the membership shall elect by a simple majority members of the Board of Directors to
serve for a period of two (2) years. Elections will be staggered, so that six (6) Directors, one from each New England state are
elected each year for a two (2) year term. The members of the Board of Directors shall, upon election, immediately enter into the
performance of their duties and shall continue in office until their successor shall be duly elected and qualified.
(Changed to read: Election of Directors: At the annual meeting the membership shall elect members of the Board of Directors to serve
for a period of two (2) years. Terms will be staggered, so that six (6) State Representatives, one from each New England state, are elected
each year for a two (2) year term. The members of the Board of Directors shall enter into the performance of their duties upon the completion of the annual meeting, and shall continue in office until their successor shall be duly elected. The new Board of Directors shall meet
immediately following an annual meeting to transact such business as may properly be presented to the meeting.)
4.
Method of Election: At the Annual Meeting, the Nominating Committee shall present nominations for the various Officers
and Directors to the Membership. In addition, nominations from the floor will be accepted. The Members shall elect the
Officers and Directors from such nominations by a majority of the Members present and absentee ballots received. This
election shall be by paper ballot.
5.
Notice of Election: Sixty days prior to the election, notice shall be published and shall include the following:
a.
The date of the election;
b.
the election process, and;
c.
the names and contact information of the members of the Nominating Committee.
Notice of the election shall be published on the associations website, if any, and by mail to the membership.
6. Vacancies: Vacancies occurring on the Board of Directors shall be filled by the vote of the majority of the remaining Directors. Such replacement will be for the state in which the vacancy occurred.
(Changed to read: Vacancies: Vacancies occurring on the Board of Directors shall be filled by the vote of the majority of the remaining Directors. Such replacement will be for the position in which the vacancy occurred and for the balance of the vacated term.)
7.
Removal: At a meeting of Members called especially for that purpose, any Director may be removed, with just cause, by a vote of two-thirds
8.
Attendance: Each Director shall attend at least one meeting per year, or show just cause for his absence.
(2/3) of the Members entitled to vote.
(Changed to read: Meetings of Directors: The Board of Directors shall meet at such times as deemed necessary by the President, but
preferably in conjunction with the Spring and/or Fall N.E.B. Conferences. Notice of such meeting, if held at other than the Spring or
Fall N.E.B. Conference, shall be given by telephone, facsimile or mail (including electronic mail) ten days in advance of such meeting.
9.
Meetings of Directors: The new Board of Directors shall meet immediately following the annual election to transact such business as may
properly be presented to the meeting. In addition, the Board of Directors shall meet at other times as deemed necessary by the President, but
preferably in conjunction with the Spring N.E.B. Conference. Notice of such meeting, if held at other than the Spring N.E.B. Conference, shall
be by telephone, facsimile or mail ten days in advance of such meeting.
(Changed to read: Attendance: Each Director shall attend at least two Board of Director meeting per year, or show just cause for his/
her absence.)
10. Quorum: Seven (7) Members of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
11. Action by Consent: Any action of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting, if a written consent to such action is signed by all
members of the Board of Directors and filed with the Secretary. Action and consent may be made and given by electronic mail.
12. Meetings by Telephone, Electronic Mail, or Similar Communication: The Board of Directors may participate in a meeting or conduct business by means of conference telephone, electronic mail, or similar communications equipment by means of which all Directors participating
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New England Blacksmiths
in the meeting can hear each other or read one another’s written e-mail messages, and participation in such meeting shall constitute presence in person by such Director at such meeting.
ARTICLE -IX - OFFICERS
1.
Designation: The officers of the Association shall consist of a President,
Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary and a Membership Coordinator. The
Treasurer and Secretary may be combined in the single office of SecretaryTreasurer. The President may also appoint a Recording Secretary as may be
appropriate for any meeting.
2.
(Changed to: Election of Officers: At an annual meeting, the membership shall elect officers to serve a term of two years. The
newly elected officers shall enter into the performance of their duties upon the completion of the annual meeting, and shall continue in office until their successor shall be duly elected.)
3.
Term: The term of office shall be two (2) years or until a successor is duly elected
4. Vacancies: Vacancies, unless provided for herein, shall be filled by the Board of Directors and Officers and the member so appointed shall
complete the original term.
Changed to read: Vacancies occurring within the Officers shall be filled by a vote by the majority of the remaining Directors. Such
replacement will be for the vacant position and cover the remainder of the term of the position vacated.
5.
President: The president shall preside at the meetings of the Association and of the Board of Directors and shall be a member ex-officio, with
the right to vote, of all committees except the Nominating Committee. He or she shall also, at the meeting of the Association, and at such other
times as he or she deems proper, communicate to the Association or to the Board of Directors, such matters and make such suggestions as may
in his or her opinion tend to promote the prosperity and welfare and increase the usefulness of the Association and shall perform such other
duties as are necessarily incident to the office of the president and as the Board of Directors may prescribe. The President shall be allowed
to make committee appointments.
6.
Vice-President: In the case of the death or the absence of the President, or of his or her inability from any cause, to act, the Vice-President in
the absence of the President, shall perform the duties of the office of the President and shall perform such other duties as the Board of Directors may prescribe.
7.
Secretary: It shall be the duty of the Secretary to give notice of all meetings of the Association and of all committees, and to keep a record of
their doings; to conduct all correspondence and to carry into execution all orders, votes, and resolutions not otherwise committed; to notify the
Officers and Directors of their election and Members of the organization of their appointment on committees; to furnish the chairperson of
each committee with a copy of the vote under which the committee is appointed and, at his or her request, give notice of the meetings of the
committee; to prepare a report to the regular meetings of the transactions and conditions of the Association and generally to devote his or her
best efforts to forwarding the business and advancing the interest of the Association. In case of absence or disability of the Secretary, the
president may appoint a Secretary pro-tem.
8.
Treasurer: The Treasurer shall keep an account of all monies received and expended for the use of the Association. He or she shall deposit all
sums received in a bank or banks; and make a report at the Annual Meeting or when called upon by the President. Funds may be drawn only
upon the signature of the Treasurer, or President, or President’s designee, if the Treasurer is not available. The funds, books and vouchers in
his or her hands shall at all times be under the supervision of the Board of Directors and subject to its inspection and control. Provisions shall
be made for a periodic audit at the discretion of the Board of Directors. At the expiration of his or her term of office, he or she shall deliver
over to the successor all books, monies and other properties, or in the case of absence or disability of the Treasurer, the President may appoint
a Treasurer pro-tem. The offices of Secretary and Treasurer may be held by the same person. (delete – “at the same time”.) The Treasurer
may upon approval by the Board of Directors negotiate for bank loans on behalf of the Association.
9.
Membership Coordinator: The Membership Coordinator shall keep accurate records of the membership, including, but not limited to,
names, address, and membership status. He or she will also coordinate the yearly renewal reminder and generate member rosters, mailing labels,
name tags, etc., as needed. The duties of the Membership Coordinator may be combined with that of the Treasurer.
ARTICLE - X - COMMITTEES
Standing Committees:
1.
Nomination Committees: The Board of Directors will appoint from the membership, a Nominating Committee for both the election of
Directors and Officers at the Annual Meeting. The Secretary shall cause to be published a list of nominees in the Association’s Newsletter or provide such other reasonable notice, including publication on the Association’s Website and in writing, mailed to the last re-
corded address of each member, together with notice of the time and place of the Annual Meeting.
2. Finance Committee: To work in concert with the Treasurer in the preparation of the budgets and to oversee the financial status of the Associa-
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New England Blacksmiths
tion.
3.
Other Committees: The President or the Board of Directors may create committees as necessary.
1.
These by-laws may be amended, repealed or altered in all or part by majority vote at any duly organized meeting of the Association, with the
ARTICLE - XI- AMENDMENTS
exception of any requirements of State or Federal Statutes. The proposed change shall be mailed to the last recorded address of each member
at least twenty (20) days before the time of the meeting which is to consider the change, or published in the newsletter, and on the Association’s Website, if any, preceding such meeting, or in the notice of such meeting.
ARTICLE - XII - INDEMNIFICATION
1.
Each person who has been, now is, or shall be a member of the Board of Directors or an Officer of the Association shall be indemnified by the
Association to the extent of its funds and as permitted by law, against all expenses reasonably incurred by him or her, in connection with any
action, suit proceedings or the settlement or compromise thereof, or payment of any judgment or fine resulting wherefrom in which he or she
may become involved by reason of any action taken or omitted by him or her, provided that such action was taken or omitted in good faith for
the Association.
ARTICLE - XIII - DISSOLUTON
1.
At a meeting of the members called for such purpose, and only on thirty (30) days notice, in writing, to their last recorded address, the Association may be dissolved by a vote of two thirds (2/3) of all members present or represented by written proxy.
2.
Upon dissolution of the Association of the termination of its activities, the assets of the Association remaining after the payment of all its liabilities shall be distributed exclusively to one or more organizations organized and operated exclusively for such purposes as shall then qualify as an exempt organization or organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954. as amended.
3.
No part of the net earnings of the Association shall inure to the benefit of any Member, Director, or Officer of the Association, or any private
individual (except that reasonable compensation may be paid for any services rendered to or for the Association in carrying out one or more of
its purposes), and no Member, Director, or Officer of the Association, or any private individual shall be entitled to share in the distribution of
any of the corporate assets on dissolution of the Association.
4.
Exempt Activities: Notwithstanding any other provision of these by-laws, no Director, officer, employee, agent or other representative of the
Association shall take any action or carry on any activity by or on behalf of the Association not permitted to be taken or carried on by an organization exempt under the aforementioned IRS provisions Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 or applicable regulations
pertaining to said Code, as amended, or any successor statute or regulations thereto, or by an organization to which deductible contributions
may be made, pursuant to Section 170 (c) (2) OF SAID IRS Code and regulations, as amended, or any successor statute or regulations thereto.
Amendments:
1.
As Required in IRS Memo to N.E.B. dated June 30, 1993
Notwithstanding any other provisions of these articles, the organization is organized exclusively for one or more of the purposes as
specified in Section 501 (c) (3) or corresponding provisions of any subsequent tax laws.
2.
No part of the net earnings of the organization shall inure to the benefit of any member, trustee, director, officer of the organization,
or any private individual (except that reasonable compensation may be paid for services rendered to or for the organization) and no
member, trustee officer of the organization or any private individual shall be entitled to share in the distribution of any of the organization’s assets on dissolution of the organization.
3.
No substantial part of the activities of the organization shall be carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation (except as otherwise provided by IRC 501 (h) or participating in, or intervening in (including the publication or distribution of
statements), any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidates for public office.
4. In the event of dissolution, all of the remaining assets and property of the organization shall after payment of necessary expenses thereof,
be distributed to such organizations as shall qualify under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or corresponding provisions of any subsequent Federal tax laws, or to the Federal government or State or Local government for a public purpose, subject to the
approval of a justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New Hampshire.
5.
In any taxable year in which the organization is a private foundation as described in RIC 509 (a), the organization shall distribute its
income for said period at such time and manner as not to subject it to tax under 1RC4942, and the organization shall not: (a) engage
in any act of self-dealing as defined in IRC 4941; (b) retain any excess business holdings as defined in IRC 4943; (c) make any investments in such a manner as to subject the organization to tax under IRC 4944; or, (d) corresponding provisions of any subsequent
Federal tax laws.
END-
Winter 2005
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New England Blacksmiths
NEB Stuff by Mail
Get T-shirts, sweatshirts and other good stuff featuring our great logo
By sending a check or money order made out to new England blacksmiths
Mail to:
Why wait for the next Meet,
Neb Stuff c/o Dondi LaRue
P.O. Box 58
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Ashby, MA 01431-0058
Please remember to tell us what you want, how many and what size. We will try to honor color selection, but
color depends on stock at hand. Tell us your second and third color choices. Chose T-shirts in 100% cotton or
50/50 cotton/poly blend, let us know. Total your order and remember to add postage. Payment to: New England
Blacksmiths. Please include your mailing address and phone number.
Before 9:00pm, you can call Dondi at (978) 386-0066
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Postage for the average order $4.00
FIRST CLASS MAIL
New England Blacksmiths
Fred Mikkelsen, - Editor
23 Waterman Dr.
North Scituate, RI 02857-2036
Patch, NEB logo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 3.00
NEB caps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $12.00