Vol 33 No 1 - New England Blacksmiths

The New England
Blacksmiths
To discover, to help
Winter 2013
Our
35th
Year
1978-2013
VOL. 33 NO. 1
Fall
Bolton
Fairground
2012
Inside this issue:
7– 8 Integrated Gate Hinge
20 Membership Form
Page,
2 NEB Contacts
9 Fred Mikkelsen– Master
Trinket Smith
21 Morrell’s Whatsit
2 Editor’s Note
10– 12 Fall Meet Reflections
3 President’s Letter
13 Simple Sheet Metal
Brake
4 Winter Calendar
14– 17 Keith Clark’s
Gas Burner
5 A Report from the
Treasurer
6 Hinge Workshop
Winter 2013
22– 23 Castings &
Tailgating
18-19 Working with an
Artist Blacksmith
Visit us on line
www.newenglandblacksmiths.com
Page 1
New England Blacksmiths
Contact information for NEB officers and directors
Owen Bostrom- President (14)
99 Chase Hill RD
Ashaway, RI 02804
Phone: 401-377-2611
obostrom@cox.net
Bob Menard– Vice President (14)
56 Warren Ave. Suite 106
Portland, ME 04103
Phone: 207-878-2217
ballandchainforge@yahoo.com
Jim Crothers- Secretary (14)
953 Tuckertown RD
Wakefield, RI 02879
Phone
ride4782@ride.ri.net
Leigh Morrell- Treasurer (14)
207 Greenfield Rd
Colrain, MA 01340
Phone: 413-624-1200
morlmetl@mtdata.com
Karen Sims, Membership Chair. (14)
337 Rope Ferry Rd
Waterford, CT 06385
860-442-3925
karensims@gmail.com
Marc Godbout, NH Rep. (14)
236 Old Wellington Rd.
Manchester, NH 03104 -8771
Phone: 603-425-8404
marc@ironringforge.com
Taffy Case, NH Rep. (13)
1789 E. Madison Rd
Madison, NH 03849
Phone: 603-367-8225
taffysforge@yahoo.com
Fred Mikkelsen - RI Rep (13)
23 Waterman Dr.
N. Scituate, RI 02857-2036
phone: 401-647-3086
fred@trollshammerforge.com
John Nash- RI Rep. (14) WNR
173 Fairfax DR
Warwick, RI 02888
Phone: 401-781-0558
The New England Blacksmiths, an affiliate of the
Artists-Blacksmith’s Association of North America,
is devoted to the preservation and advancement of
blacksmithing. 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.
Winter 2013
Richard Holman- ME Rep. (14)
195 Varney Mill Rd
Windham, ME 04062
Phone: 207-892-9511
rhholman@mactec.com
Ed Grove- Me Rep. (13)
828 Haley Town Road
Brownfield, ME 04010
Phone: 207-935-2262
engro828@pivot.net
Courtney Mead- VT Rep. (14)
721 East Hill Rd.
North Troy, VT 05859
Phone: 802.988-2503
Hendersonforge@.comcast.net
Judson Yaggy-VT Rep. (13)
846 S Rt 116
Bristol, VT 05443
Phone 802-453-6005
yaggy@gmavt.net
Bob Phillips- MA Rep. (13)
P.O. Box 583
Westminster, MA 01473
Phone: 978-874-1367
BLKsmithBear@aol.com
Dick Lempici- MA Rep. (14)
2 Lempici Rd
Dudley, MA 01571
Phone:
rjlempicki@charter.net
Steve Melady- CT Rep. (13)
54 Cards Mill Rd
Columbia, CT 06237
Phone: 860-228-2185
smelady254@charter.net
Chip Sowalski- CT Rep. (14)
100 Gungy Rd
Salem, CT 06420
Phone: 860-287-5395
hardiepritchel@sbcglobal.net
Note: The number ( ) after each name
denotes the year of term expiration of
that Board Member.
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.
Page 2
Note from the Editor:
Greetings, Deb and I are happy to
pick up the reins as your new
editors. These are big shoes to fill
as we as an organization have
enjoyed such an exceptional
newsletter over the years. We
hope to serve in this capacity for
many years to come and continue
to provide relevant and interesting content to NEB.
I must apologize for the lack of a
Scrap Box edition this year. It
was a casualty of transition. That
will be remedied for early Spring
and repeated in it’s former time
slot in the late Fall. That will
mean we will be publishing 6 editions for 2013.
I would encourage members to
send articles and photos to include. We want to hear from
you.
Bob & Debby Menard
ballandchainforge@yahoo.com
Thanks to all
Contributors to this issue:
Owen Bostrom
Keith Clark
Ralph Sproul
Dick & Bob Gilbert
Fred Mikkelsen
Mark Aspery
Alan Drew
Leigh Morrell
Photo Credits
Jenifer Holman
Leigh Morrell
Bob Menard
Add your name to this list
Become a contributor!
Next newsletter deadline:
March 15th, 2013
New England Blacksmiths
President’s Message
December 2012:
Sitting here on Christmas Day observing a bit of wet dreary weather outside it’s a good time to reflect on the past year and sneak a peek at what’s coming
up ahead. This being the case for myself as well as for NEB. The fall storm we
had here called “Sandy” took out a lot of trees here, and as a result I have been
quite busy cutting mostly red oak into firewood ever since. I will have firewood
for years ahead, but it has also curtailed other activities a lot here. The good
news for us is that we didn’t have any significant structure damage. I did finally
have to spring for a generator since we were without electrical power for too
many days. I hated to part with the cash, but having electricity even if partial was
good. I now have to make a permanent and legal hook up into my panel. It could
have been much worse. Our local area was hard hit by the storm, especially a few miles closer to the coast. So
here we considered ourselves lucky. Those of you familiar with the forge at Mystic Seaport, which I put back in
order after the storm, should picture salt water high enough to put the bottom of the forge pots in water. It was
quite a mess. Interestingly our coal, flooded with salt water, gives off a spectrum of unusual colors when burning.
We are still fighting with rust from the salt. I think that will go on for a while.
Unfortunately, I had to miss the fall meet at Lancaster, MA except for the meeting on Friday of the BOD.
All reports showed that you all had a good time. Martha and I enjoyed the spring meet at Sanborn Farms in NH. I
am looking forward to the next meets: spring at Morrell’s in VT, and a fall meet at Brentwood, NH hosted by Bob
Menard and the Brentwood committee.
Neil Mansfield, lead teacher at Assabet Technical HS in MA, reports that his “kids” have entered and won
a national metal sculpture contest for their creative works sponsored by Victor Technologies. Individual cash and
metal fabricating equipment awards for the school were won. Many of you have seen the ingenuity of the work of
these students from year to year as well as the quality of the work. Neil has a very successful program in an environment where vocational metalworking training is suffering nationally. Hats off to Neil and his students for their
accomplishments, and NEB is quite proud to remain a small but important part of it.
Now for the more boring but important parts nonetheless:
Our finances remain in good shape. Nothing’s unusual there, which is all good.
Our lease at the Brentwood facility is up this spring. We are working with the Brentwood committee on
forming a new agreement with the town for our future use of our current location. We have positive aspects to
work from. We are a solid NH incorporated organization, financially solvent and responsible, have our insurance
worked out, and have been a contributing “tenant” on this spot for a long time.
I believe that this will be the Menard’s first edition of the Newsletter. Best of luck to them and thanks
again for the help of Erin Morrell for her interim newsletter efforts. Former editor Fred still helps willingly when
asked. We’ll refer to him as a technical consultant.
Anybody interested in running for positions on the board or in running future meets should and can contact
me anytime. It’s a great way to contribute to the organization, inject some new ideas and enthusiasm, not to mention getting to know everybody better. I get great personal satisfaction from contributing to making this all work.
Its really not hard either, but of course we do have our moments. Ha ha.
Best wishes for a great and successful new year. Look forward to seeing all in future.
Cheers, Owen Bostrom, President, New England Blacksmiths.
An adjustable feeler gauge for setting the kerf on a two-man crosscut saw or a large circular saw blade. The two opposing screws
would be adjusted to the saw thickness, and the single screw would be adjusted for the offset of the kerf of the tooth. The two
points ride on the blade itself.
Winter 2013
Page 3
New England Blacksmiths
Around New England
Brentwood Teaching Center
Maine
Brentwood, NH
Our well equipped and friendly center for the
demonstration and instruction to the art/craft of
Blacksmithing!
Open forge sessions on the last Saturday of the
month are suspended for the winter. We will reopen March 30, 2013 Contact Bob Gilbert 603642-5440 or Bob Menard 207-878-2217 email
ballandchainforge@yahoo.com
A site fee is required to work in the shop but curious passers by are encouraged!
New England School of Metalwork
www.newenglandschoolofmetalwork.com
888-753-7502
Tool Forging for the Smith with Dereck Glaser
1/22 - 1/25
Forged Botanical Forms with Dereck Glaser
1/31/- 2/3
Beginners “Extreme” Blacksmithing with Dereck
Glaser 2/21– 2/24
Basic Damascus Steel
1/16– 1/18
ABS Basic Damascus Knife Making with
Kevin Cashen 2/6– 2/9
ABS Intro to Bladesmithing with Tim Potier
3/4– 3/15
Basic Bladesmithing with Nick Rossi
3/22– 3/25
No submissions at press time
Brentwood North at Bob Menard’s Ball & Chain Forge
56 Warren Ave, Portland, ME
Tel. (207) 878-2217
Email - ballandchainforge@yahoo.com
2/23 9A to 4P
Rhode Island
Vermont
The Southern Bunch at South County Museum in
Narragansett, RI on the 4th Saturday of the month
Contact Jim Crothers 401-783-5400
No submissions at press time
Massachusetts
New Hampshire
Morrell Metalsmiths
207 Greenfield Rd., Colrain, Ma, 01340
tel. (413) 624-1200
Email - morlmetl@mtdata.com
Anvil Repair Workshop
1/26
2013 NEB FALL MEET
Sept 6-8
With Mark Aspery, demonstrator
ABANA Grill Project
Connecticut
Also at Morrell Metalsmiths...
2013 NEB SPRING MEET
May 17-19
With Toby Hickman, demonstrator
Joinery - Embellishment - Power-hammer Techniques
Winter 2013
Page 4
New England Blacksmiths
Brentwood North 2013
The Brentwood North program will be held on Feb. 23, 2013 at the
Ball & Chain Forge 56 Warren Ave. Portland ME
The program will run from 9A to 4P. Coffee, breakfast goodies, and lunch will be provided.
For those that have not experienced this program it is four 90 minute stations thru the day.
Students complete a project at each station that they can take home. Every 90 minutes the
entire group rotates clockwise to a new station and a new project. Past events have included
hot work and cold work, coal and gas forges, double striking and power hammering.
What will this year bring?
The program is limited to 12 students on a first come basis.
This 3 to 1 ratio ensures a great learning environment. The cost is $70.00 with all funds supporting the Brentwood Teaching Facility. Ask anyone who has attended, the food alone is
worth the price of admission. This event typically sells out. Pre-payment guarantees your
spot
This years staff includes David Court, Owen Bostrom, Fred Mikkelsen and Ian Eddy.
To reserve a spot or get questions answered contact Bob Menard
207-878-2217 or email ballandchainforge@yahoo.com
NEB Financial Health News
A report from Leigh Morrell-Treasurer
Current financial position:
Checking account - $5,121.
Savings $19,299
Karen Sims - $200.
Assets: Inventory $7,622.
Equipment, Buildings, Trailer, etc. $ 38,021
No outstanding bills:
NEB Net Worth: $70,263.
Winter 2013
Page 5
New England Blacksmiths
A few images from the hinge workshop at
Morrell Metalsmiths.
Featuring Russell Pope, Bob Valentine, and
Carl West
Winter 2013
Page 6
New England Blacksmiths
This 2-page article reprinted from the
California Blacksmith Association
newsletter
Winter 2013
Page 7
New England Blacksmiths
Winter 2013
Page 8
New England Blacksmiths
Remember this?
Fred Mikkelsen has always been more than a talented editor
Reprinted from 2003
Winter 2013
Page 9
New England Blacksmiths
Fall Meet
Reflections
Bob Phillips and his crew put on an enjoyable and informative
Meet at the Bolton Fairground. I believe it was intended to
showcase 3 different demonstrators working on 3 completely
different disciplines. That in fact did occur as did a number of
other impromptu demonstrations through the weekend.
Our Weekend Host
Bob Valentine dazzled us with his considerable skills creating
traditional colonial pieces that he is so well known for. He had
brought along a spit jack he had forged for Sturbridge Village
15 years ago. All who saw it marveled at the complexity and
obvious skill it took to create this amazing mechanism. He had
it on loan form Sturbridge so he could make another. In his
own words, “those notes taken 15 years ago seemed a little
more complete at the time.”
Running simultaneously on Saturday, Bob Bordeaux was
demonstrating knife making and pattern welded steel techniques. During the Friday evening slide show he told us he
preferred making knives for the common person. He is not trying to appeal to the high end collector market. He makes
knives that are a tool to be used. It is fortuitous that they are
also beautiful.
Bob had brought along with him a remarkable 20 ton air over
hydraulic forging press. It used a bottle jack as its power
source. The entire device couldn’t have been much taller than
24”. It was a considerable amount of power in a compact
package and was making short work of the cable billet he was
forging.
Bob Valentine checks his progress
Winter 2013
Page 10
New England Blacksmiths
Carl at the anvil, no
tongs
There was no wasted motion at this
anvil
A rare moment of downtime
Carl West brought a new understanding to most of us on the subject of
fold forming. Beginning late Saturday and continuing Sunday morning
this technique demonstrated a simple
detail element that could be added to
many projects that appears anything
but simple. Carl’s relaxed and confident teaching style was engaging and
entertaining.
Bob Bordeaux at the anvil
Compact hydraulic press
Much of the material he was working
with was copper, something many of
us rarely work with. The ease that he
showed quickly creating beautiful
pieces was inspiring.
I was also fortunate that Judy Berger
of Blue Moon Press had the perfect
companion text book, Fold Forming
by Charles Lewton-Brain.
One would think this would be more
than enough entertainment but this
Meet had planned as well as impromptu demos occurring everywhere you turned.
A beautiful body of work
Winter 2013
Carl West and fold forming
Page 11
New England Blacksmiths
Neil Mansfield showed up with a truck load of equipment and a bus load of Assabet students. Many of
them were practicing their skills for the upcoming Fitchburg Forge-in. That group’s enthusiasm is always infectious and brings an energy all their own to any Meet they come to.
Keith Clark brought with him an atmospheric forge burner design that was getting him quite a bit of
attention. As he assembled one he explained it’s intricacies to a group of on lookers. If you missed that
discussion no worries. The whole design is included in this publication as a joint article by Keith and
Ralph Sproul.
Bob Menard had a small group of interested members watching a forging demo of top and bottom tool
blanks utilizing a new casting designed to be mounted on the anvil. This was some heavy sledgehammer work. At least 3 other people tried this tool out.
There were likely others also participating in small teaching events not observed by this author. There
is a limit to what one person can see no matter how hard you look, and I was looking hard!
We were fortunate with spectacular weather all weekend. It allowed the group to spread out over this
expansive site in comfort. The tailgating was larger than
this photo would suggest. Leigh Morrell showed up with
the usual wide variety of equipment and goodies. Many
others also had stuff to sell. There was a truckload of fly
presses. When was the last time we saw fly presses at a
Meet?
That is baring the Spring Meet of course.
Kudos to Bob Phillips and his capable staff for pulling off
such a complicated get together. I think it was enjoyable
for all and a tremendous learning experience.
How and why do people choose their careers? By David Court
It’s a question I often ask individuals and the answers are sometimes curious.
One of my favorites is the story of a man who decided to become a blacksmith when he was of middle school age.
On his way to school he had to pass by a blacksmith shop. The helper boy took a dislike to him and would lay in wait
and beat him up whenever the chance presented itself; which seemed to be often when you have to pass the tormentor every day on your way to school.
He decided when he was done with school he would become a blacksmith, figuring he would get strong and then he
could beat up his tormentor. He found a shop to take him on and was working actively to achieve his goal only to
hear his adversary had moved on to a shop in another area. He continued on, learning the trade, getting bigger and
stronger when, one day at the market he happened across his tormentor of years earlier. Up to the man he strode to
ask if he remembered him.
“No, I don’t recognize you”.
“I’m the boy you regularly beat up on my way to school”, and loudly announce he was ready to fight.
“Why are you ready to fight me now when you were never able to stand up to me before”? He asked.
“Because I’m a blacksmith now and I’m strong enough to beat you” he replied.
“A blacksmith you say! Why, now that you’re a blacksmith there’s no reason to fight. Let’s be brothers and go have
tea”.
And they did.
I got this story from the schoolboy himself when I attended the CanIron Conference in Nova Scotia. The man grew
up in Iran and is now a Canadian citizen.
Winter 2013
Page 12
New England Blacksmiths
Simple Sheet Metal Brakes
Dick Gilbert and his brother Bob have built an improved portable 30” bending brake based on a design featured
in “Designing & Building the Sheet Metal Brake” by Gingery. (This book available from Centaur
Forge).
1. Sheet metal brakes can be
made
quickly from mild steel. The stock
used on these tools rarely exceeds 16 gauge. The brake can
be any size.
Small ones can be held entirely in
a
vise while longer ones (up to 3”)
can
be locked with a through-bolt at
one
end (tightened after the sheet to
be bent is inserted) while the other end is clamped in a vise. When
forming
the eye of the brake, close the legs onto a strip of 16 gauge steel. This makes inserting material
much easier
than if the legs touch.
2. This style of brake allows a larger “table” to
work against. It sets in a vice nicely. To make it,
first cut the web of the angle iron off of enough
material to form the desired loop.
3. At each point a brake is to occur, lightly (1/3 of the way through) incise a line. Use a blunt-thin
fuller to incise with. The incising should not be done with a chisel, the “V’ shaped cut can develop
into a crack while the flexing of the braking operation goes on.
4. This illustration shows a typical lap-joint used to join sheet metal with rivets. The advantage of this
joint is
that the outer surface of the sheet metal stays
flush instead of riding up onto the other piece.
When riveting
sheet metal, drill all the holes intended on one
side of the lap. Close the overlap joint and
clamp. Use the
first drilled hole as a template to drill the stock
beneath. Insert a rivet or bolt that is the same
size as the rivets to be used. While the first hole
is pinned, use the nest as a guide and so on.
Either rivet loosely or bolt
each drilled joint before drilling the next.
Winter 2013
Page 13
New England Blacksmiths
5. A 90 degree brake and its result.
The Do it Yourself Keith Clark Cheapo Depot forge burner
6.
6o
Keith Says “If you build one of these burners – Safety is your responsibility”
Although it’s nice to have a burner to copy for measures (as all fittings/washers/mig tips/
etc. are NOT created equal in size/thickness/length) – but a picture of the completed burner and a little focus will get you there.
Here’s a close up of parts
in order of how they go
Fittings on the table – with
tools needed
Layout the 120 degree lines on the burner as shown using the hex of the Pex fittings on
each end – use a piece of 3/8” square stock – mark down the burner barrel (3/4” x 8” pipe
nipple) with soap stone or grey marker. Measure down from the top 3 inches – center
punch, pilot drill, then finish drill to 5/8” diameter for the intake ports. Sand/Hone/file all
ports and pipe so there are no burrs (that would cause turbulence – think smooth air flow).
Winter 2013
Page 14
New England Blacksmiths
The burner tube can be cut to finished length by measuring
down from the center of the intake ports by 4 5/8” and making your cut before attaching the flare – you can also leave
the burner tube the full 8” length if you wish as it will work
just fine. We don’t advise making the distance any shorter
than the 4 5/8” .
To use a washer as Keith’s burner did - Drill a 1/8” hole in
the burner tube about 3/16” above the top of the intake hole
(to be able to weld a washer in the tube). Make a 3/8 washer
fit the inside of the burner tube – and weld in place 1/8”
above the burner tubes (using the 1/8 hole you drilled to tack
weld it) IF you have a welder (keep washer 1/8” above the
three intake holes) – OR use a shaft collar as pictured if you
do not have a welder. (Also keep in mind the 1/8 distance to
set the collar and end of the mig tip (which should be flush).
Cut the PEX hose to pipe fitting four ways down into the
hex as shown (this will hold the burner jet pipe nipple).
Put the .030 or .035 mig tip into the compression fitting
and tighten, put the fitting onto the ¼” pipe nipple (with
Teflon tape), then slip thru the PEX fittings you just cut
and put the hose clamp on (leave loose for now). Note
the assembly will have the shaft collar if you selected not
to weld in washer. (There MUST be a flat surface – either
washer or shaft collar flush with the end of the mig tip to
make the gas/air mix properly.
Winter 2013
Page 15
New England Blacksmiths
Screw the PEX fitting onto the burner tube while sliding the burner jet (mig tip) thru the washer you’ve welded above the intake
ports. Set the end of the mig tip flush with the washer above the
intake ports and tighten the hose clamp. Or set the collar 1/8”flush
with the mig tip and 1/8” above the intake holes.
Add your shut off valve, hose adapter fitting, hose, and regulator
to the burner tube.
Place your flare or 2 ¾ x 1” pipe section over the burner tube –
make sure it slides down into the burner tube leaving 1¼” from
bottom of burner tube to bottom of flare (this is extremely important if you intend to use this burner out of a forge similar to
how you’d use a torch. You can drill and tap the flare to use a set
screw or simply tac weld the flare to the burner tube at this proper
location.
This should now place you at a point of the burner fully assembled, the propane supply hooked up (if you connect it to your BBQ
tank) for testing……….and now turn on the tank valve and listen
for leaks – tighten if you have any – and use soapy water (which
will bubble up - to make sure you have no leaks).
Once the pressure test is done – turn on the valve at the burner,
light the burner and see how it burns. One may need to “Fiddidle”
the burner tube & clamp distance to the washer, or adjust the flare
on the tube spacing length as those will be the only two adjustments on the burner. Just so you know –“ Fiddidle” is a copyright
of the Keith Clark Enterprise Umbrella.
It is a very simple burner – so it should be running correctly at this
point – if not – seek advice from someone who has one that does
work correctly – DO NOT CONTINUE TO LET GAS RUN
DURING ANY TROUBLESHOOTING PROCESS!!
This burner should run comfortably from ½ psi to 20 psi if built
correctly. Happy Forging – Enjoy.
Burner Design By Keith Clark & article written by Ralph Sproul
Winter 2013
Page 16
New England Blacksmiths
Materials for one of
“Keith Clark’s El-Cheapo Burners”
These are items you can order from McMaster – Carr Industrial Supply (with part numbers)
Items NOT available from McMaster are listed below.
1 50915K215 Brass Compression Tube Fitting Adapter for 1/4" Tube OD X 1/4" NPTF Female Pipe
$2.84 each
1 47865K21 Brass Ball Valve 1/4" NPT Female Connections
$8.25 each
1
4457K215 Standard Wall Black Welded Steel Pipe 3/4 Pipe Size X 16" Length,
Threaded Ends $6.07 to cut in ½ for 2
$3.04 each
1 79215A2 Regulator Fitting Outlet Fitting, 1/4" NPT to 9/16"-18 Lh, for Fuel Gas
1
5388K17 Worm-Drive Hose Clamp W/Zinc Pltd Steel Screw 1/2" to 29/32"
1
Clamp Dia Range x 5/16 bands
$1.11 each
($6.20/10 pk) .62 each
1 44615K462 Standard-Wall Black Steel Threaded Pipe Nipple 1/4 Pipe Size X 4" Length
1
6435K12 One-Piece Clamp-on Shaft Collar Black-Oxide Steel, 1/4" Bore, 11/16" OD, 5/16" Width
each
$1.55 each
$1.87
Items you will need that you cannot access from McMaster – Carr Supply Co:
1
Pex fitting – ¾ NPT female x ¾ pex barb. (this is NOT the same size as standard hose)
Lowe’s or Home Depot are viable options for these fittings – you may find a need to sand/drill or
ream the ID of the fitting to slide the ¼” pipe nipple thru easily.
1 Mig Contact Tip, .030" Wire Size x ¼” diam. OD, (A .030 mig tip is actually .036 ID so
the wire will not stick during the welding process – an .035 mig tip can also be used.
1
$3.68 each
$.94 each
Burner Flare from 1" ss pipe (to fit ¾” burner tube) order from Larry Zoeller http://zoellerforge.com $11.00 ea.
Look under gas forge parts – (stainless steel burner flares) $11.00 + shipping
(approx.) Materials/Merchandise total:
Winter 2013
Page 17
$34.90 per burner
New England Blacksmiths
Working with an Artist
Blacksmith
As a professional smith I have at some time got to talk ‘money’ with my clients. I consider myself an OK
blacksmith, but I am a poor business owner and hate talking money. Initially there never seems to be the right
moment to discuss the costs of a commission with a client(s).
For me commission generally goes something like this;
”Yes, I do make railing, the minimum that you will be charged per foot is $XXX, are you still interested?”
“Would you like to make an appointment to meet?”
What follows next is an interview process with the client to find out what they want and to explain what I can
and cannot deliver. I do not show the client any coffee table books on blacksmithing at anytime during the
meeting. I do not have a portfolio in the normal sense of the word. I have a file that contains close up photographs of various items of blacksmithing –such as all things organic, joinery, repousse. With this file I can explain to the client, in a pictorial form, some of the blacksmithing terminology that I may use during the meeting. “Here is an example of a…”
I leave that first meeting with a series of very rough sketches and a few notes and or photographs. I leave them
with a copy of my ‘Working with an artist blacksmith’ which sets the ground rules for our future working relationship, which hopefully centers around good communication.
From that point on I am ‘on the clock’ and charging for my time. I return after a period of time (usually a week
or so) with three or so thumbnail sketches of designs that I have made as a result of our first meeting. One of
these designs, I hope, will come close to their vision of the piece they are trying to commission.
I go back home and further refine the design and make some test pieces as samples. The test pieces help me 1.)
develop my tooling 2.) it enables me to give a cost estimate to the client and 3.) it allows both of us the ability
to look at a 3 D rendition of a 2 D drawing to see if we still like it.
I present the client with a bill for my time thus far. At that stage both the drawing and the test pieces are theirs
to do with as they see fit. If they want to shop around for a better price, they can. I have yet to have this happen
but I have heard stories.
A separate bank account to receive the deposit is helpful. Hardly an IRS escrow account, but it works. You can
now bill the client for your time and transfer funds from the separate account to your normal business account.
You can show the client the statements at your various meetings and request a topping up of the separate account. I work in the black where I can. It’s not my fault that the stock market or the like takes a dive during the
commission.
Winter 2013
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New England Blacksmiths
Contractor’s laws in the various states will set directions for licensed contractors with regard to deposit money caps
and the client.
One thing more.
A little while ago I accepted a commission at a time when I was busy doing something else. The result was that I did
not give the commission my full attention and the delivery date came past due.
I did a little work in an effort to get out of ‘hot-water’ and took pictures of a step-by-step progression of a piece
needed within the commission. I constructed a 1 page PDF document of the progression with a cute little saying on
the bottom and my contact details on the top (This goes onto everything that I mail out)
I sent the document via E-mail to the client and extended my apologies for my tardiness.
The unexpected happened, the client forwarded the document to her friends
“Look what my artist blacksmith is making for me!”
The client forgave (well almost) my tardy behavior and I got e-mails from her friends asking about possible commissions.
Conclusion;
I would send update, step-by-step, photos (with contact details on the page) to every client that I work with. This is
great advertising.
Cheers,
Mark Aspery
Hi All,
If you, like myself, have forgotten to renew your dues for NEB, remember they are due by the end of the year.
You can send your form and check to Karen at,
NEB Membership
337 Rope Ferry Rd.
Waterford, CT. 06385
Maybe it will arrive along with mine which is going in the mailbox in a few minutes.
Karen would appreciate a copy of the form either from the Web site or from the Newsletter to update her records,
(in case you have any changes at least), and so we always know where to send your newsletter.
I hope you all have a wonderful Holiday season and a great upcoming year.
Cheers
Owen Bostrom
President NEB
Winter 2013
Page 19
New England Blacksmiths
Winter 2013
Page 20
New England Blacksmiths
Morrell’s Whatsit?
There were still no correct answers to my recent Whatsit!
I have had this item for a number of years in my store house upstairs.
Measurements – 21” X 6 ½” – A Slate cutter/ shear.
Used for straight as well as radius cuts for fancy roof work.
The two slots in the legs would enable tightening to a board with wedges.
Since I have had no luck getting any of you to make guesses, I am now going to present you with different items, and give
you the answer within the confines of the newsletter. So, here’s my newest one.
This item came from Judy Berger of Blue Moon Press. With a guess on my part, and an internet search of about ½ hour, I
was able to come up with the correct usage of this hand held tool. You would use this by gripping the wooden portion of
the tool. Cheers! And Happy New Year.
Wholly sponsored by Morrell Metalsmiths, Ltd.
Leigh Morrell
Winter 2013
Page 21
New England Blacksmiths
NEB Castings Available
$52.00
$145.00
$175.00
FOB one of our 4 staging locations, Portland, ME—Colrain, MA—Brentwood, NH—Narragansett, RI
Tail Gate Sales
The Ball & Chain Forge Anvil Block
Hard to afford a large swage block with square pass
through holes?
Don’t run the risk of breaking the heel of your anvil off
making a hardy tool.
This tool puts the force in the center mass of your anvil,
Where it belongs!
Tool $125.00
Anvil hold down device
$35.00
Shipping anywhere in USA
$20.00
Winter 2013
Bob Menard
ballandchainforge@yahoo.com
207-878-2217
Page 22
New England Blacksmiths
Hi Folks,
A friend of mine in Springfield, MA has finally come to terms with the fact that after a stroke a few years
ago he won’t be able to forge again. Jeff and I met helping out together in the Blacksmith’s Shop at the
Big-E in West Springfield, MA about 7 years ago.
He wishes to sell all the equipment and stock he purchased before the stroke. Stock includes pure iron.
They need fair market value as both Jeff and his wife are retired due to ongoing health issues.
Jeff can be reached at 413-896-6611. Just a few samples are shown. There is much more available.
Bob Phillips
Note; this looks like top quality, well maintained equipment. Ed.
Winter 2013
Page 23
New England Blacksmiths
New England Blacksmiths
Bob Menard, - Editor
Ball & Chain Forge
56 Warren Ave #106
Portland, Maine 04103
Do You Need to Renew?
FIRST CLASS MAIL
TIME VALUE
Dues are Due for 2013