Peter Ross - Florida Artist Blacksmith Association

NOVEMBER, 1990
CONTRIBUTORS:
Carl Austin
Norma Austin
Mary Brandenburg
Pete Brandenburg
Jim Lollis
Clyde Payton
A1 Pendray
Anne Reynolds
Peter Ross
Roger Stuart
The Florida
CLINKER BREAKER
Florida Artist Blacksmith Association-Chapter
Established May 18, 1985
Treasury: $5728.86
of ABANA, Inc.
Membership: 187
FLASH! FLASH! FLABH!
Clyde Payton
Thanks for a very wonderful registration package, put together by
Mary Brandenburg. I've never seen a better conference package!
I immediately thumbed through the Retco catalog, and my eyes fell
on page 21 on the Kohlswa anvils. I immediately ordered the 165-lb
anvil-the
last one they had. They do have in stock 50-lb, 70-lb, 110lb, and 150-lb anvils, but they have very few left. If you wish to get
a brand new Kohlswa, made in Sweden, you better order this very minute
because no more will ever be made (Centaur Forge has no more, either).
Ask for Retco representative, Mike Barksdale, phone (800) 722-3307.
REMINDER:
ELECTION BALLOTS DUE NOVEMBER 15
Norma Austin will count the FABA election ballots on November 15.
If you havenlt sent yours in, mail your ballot to Norma Austin, FABA
Secretary, P. 0. Box 1601, Zolfo Springs, FL 33890. She will count the
election ballots she has received on November 15, and announce the
results in the December newsletter. FABA officers and board members
(trustees) serve staggered two-year terms. Four positions are open in
this yearls election. The following have been nominated: VicePresident, J. C. Hawkins (Morriston); Newsletter Editor, Pete
Brandenburg (West Palm Beach); Trustee #2, Pat Imbimbo (Tallahassee);
and Trustee #4 Tico Rubio (Ocala). You also may write in candidates.
FOR SALE: Buffalo firepot, Champion electric blower with on/off switch
and sliding gate air valve, and your choice of ten pairs of tongs out of
a selection of twenty pairs. Contact John Cross, Route 1, Box 351,
Bryceville, FL 32009, (904) 266-9092'.
The Florida Clinker Breaker, ~ o v e m b e r
, 1990
-
FLORIDA ARTIST BLACKSMITH ASSOCIATION
Chapter of ABANA, Inc.
P.O. Box 1601, Zolfo Springs, FL 33890
President-(90-91):
Lewis Riggleman, P.O. Box 247, San Antonio, FL 33576 [hl (904) 521-3515, [ w l (813) 937-4281
Vice-President (89-90): J e r r y Grice P.0.-Box 5914, Tallahassee, FL 32314, [hl (904) 421-4788, C w l (904) 878-1977
Sec./Treas. (90-91):
Norma & car[ Austin P.O. Box 1601, Z o l f o Springs FL 33890 [hl (813) 735-0257
Newsletter Ed. (89-90): Pete Brandenburg, 259 Granada Rd., West Palm each FL 3340f [hl (407) 833-2708 [ w l 640-0445
Program Chair (90-91): Sfeve Kalb, 691 Astarias C i r c l e , Fort Myers, FL 33519, [hl (813) 481-8420, [ w l (813) 489-1620
Past-President (90-91):Willard Smith, Route 1 Box 138, Blountstoun, FL 32424, [hl (904) 674-8055, [ul (904) 877-7117
Board Memb. # I (90-91):CLyde Payton Route 3 Box 124D, Monticello, FL 32344 [hl (904) 997-3627 [ w l (904) 488-0577
Board Memb. #2 (89-90): Skeeter rath her, 2816 Terry Road, Tallahassee FL 32212 [hl (904) 386-9246
Board Memb. #3 (90-91 ): Joe Fari"a, 374 River Edge Road Jupiter, FL 33477 [h11(407) 744-8323
Board Memb. #4 (89-90):Tico Rublo, 6121 NU 60 St., 0ca[a, FL 32675, [hl (604) 351-8056
Board Memb. #5 (90-91):J.C.
Hawkins, 13534 NW 160 Avenue, Morriston, FL 32668, [hl (904) 528-3348
UPCOMING MEETINGS
The regions have no boundaries-everyone
i s welcome everywhere. Come t o more than one i f you can. We h o l d r e g u l a r
monthly meetings i n each region (except t h a t we a l l t r y t o get together a t one Statewide Meeting q u a r t e r l y ) on t h e f o l lowing Saturdays o f each month: NE-lst, NU-Znd, SE-3rd, & SW-last. The actual dates may v a r y from month t o monthcheck the schedule below. We a l s o h o l d short board meetings a t the q u a r t e r l y statewide meetings, and a board meeting
and general membership meeting a t the annual conference. Our meetings are informal gatherings around t h e forge.
Pros e c t i v e members are always welcome, o f course! Come f o r a l l o r any p a r t o f a meeting. B r i n g your tools, o r j u s t
watcE. Most meetings r u n from 9 am t o 4 pm, and youllL need lunch i f you stay a l l day, unless otherwise noted.
Nov. 3-4, 9 am:
Nov. 10, 9 am:
Nov. 17, 9 am:
Nov. 17:
Nov. 24, 10 am:
Dec. 8, 9 am:
Dec 29, 10 am:
Jan. 5, 9 am:
April 20, 9 am:
April:
May 17-18:
July 27, 10 am:
Oct. 11-12:
Pioneer Settlement's Fall Jamboree, Barberville-two
days of demonstrating folk arts, music, clogging, etc. Last year 30,000
attended. This year should be bigger. PABA members may demonstrate and sell their ironwork with no fee or commission. Contact
board member Tico Rubio at the address above for details.
Northwest region, Skeeter & Lou Prather's shop, Tallahassee.
Southeast region, Bob Ringer ' s shop, Fort ~auderdale.
Deadline for getting something in next month's newsletter (two
weeks before the first Saturday of the following month).
Southwest region, Crowley Museum, Sarasota.
Northwest region, Tallahassee Junior Museum.
Southwest region, Crowley Museum, Sarasota.
Quarterly Statewide Meeting, Pioneer Settlement, Barberville.
Quarterly Statewide Meeting, Bob Ringer's shop, Fort Lauderdale.
Fred Caylor's week-long Spring blacksmith class, Ocala area. Contact Fred Caylor for details: 3602 S. 800 E., Zionsville, IN
46077, home (317) 769-6351, shop (317) 769-6537.
Southeastern Regional c lack smiths Conference, Madison Lion's Club
Fairgrounds, Madison, Georgia. The Blacksmiths Conference at Madison is held every other year, alternating with the biennial ABANA
Conference. It is sponsored by the Alabama Forge Council, the
Appalachian Area Chapter of ABANA, the Florida Artist Blacksmith
Association, the North Carolina Chapter of ABANA, and the Tullie
Smith House Blacksmith Guild.
Quarterly Statewide Meeting, Crowley Museum, Sarasota.
Annual Conference, Pioneer Settlement, Barberville.
FABA BALANCE SHEET FOR THE QUARTER ENDING SEPT. 30, 1990
Submitted by Carl Austin, Treasurer
Cash at bank account
Undeposited cash on hand
Total Assets
LIABILITIES:
Total Liabilities
0
Note: Cash i n the'amount o f $2,273.75 w i l l go i n t o and out o f the FABA checking account f o r the eleven (11) a n v i l s
ordered through t h e Association. FABA member, Pat Imbimb, a l s o has orders and cash t o pay f o r them, which w i l l be p a i d
d i r e c t l y t o the foundary. A n v i l funds are NOT included i n the above t o t a l s f o r t h i s quarter.
-
The F l o r i d a A r t i s t Blacksmith A s s o c i a t i o n
Chapter o f A r t i s t B l s c k s n i t h A s s o c i a t i o n o f North A m r i c a Inc (FABA) i s a m - p r o f i t e d u c a t i o n a l o r g a n l z a t i m uhose p l r p o s e s a r e
The F l o r i d a C l i n k e r
FAD* i s s s t a r e chapter o f t h e ~ r t i f t , B l d c k r n i i h ~ s r o c i s t i o no f N o r t h A m r i c a , Ire. (rBANA).
t o teach, p r m t c a r d p r r s c r v e t h e a r t o f b l a c k s m i t h i n g .
ue s o l n c t t c o r r e r p a d e n c c end w i d a r t l c l c l o n any s u b ~ e c t s r e l a t e d t o FABA's p l r Breskcr 1s p l b l i s i t c d monthly a d o m u o l s u b s c r i p t i o n i s i n c l d a x l w i t h FABA m n b e r s h l p .
I n f o r m t i o n r e c e i v e d by the 15th of the month can b e i n c l u d e d i n the n e x t m o t h ' s I s s w . N m - C V
p s e s . Serd to:
1532 O l d oieechobee Road N10S u e s t Palm Beach, FL 33409
l h e a u t h o r ' s p m ~ r s f o nI s r a w i r e d t o r c p r t n t
-snktr(
wt-ri-l
I.. r.nrinrr(
in I ~ ~ U
rh.Atrr
I
n r u s ~ e t t e r r orovided i t i s c r e d i t e d to the author ard t o t h i s n e w s l e t t e r .
The ' ~ l o r i d aC l i n k e r B r e a k e r , November, 1990
HOW TO FIND THE NOVEMBER, 1990, MEETINGS
I
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Highway 11
I
Highway 40A
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\\
\\
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To New
Smyrna Beach
\
Deland
11
Nov. 10
NORTHWEST REGION
Skeeter & Lou Pratherls Shop
(904) 386-9246
2816 Terrv Road
Nov. 3
NORTHEAST REGIONIFALL JAMBOREE
Pioneer Art Settlement
Tico Rubio (904) 351-8056
Barberville
Nov. 24
SOUTHWEST REGION
Dale Kipp (813) 747-6743
Crowley Museum (813) 322-1000
16404 Myakka Road, Sarasota
Nov. 17
SOUTHEAST REGION
Bob Ringer (305) 772-3802
Old Dixie Welding
,792 NE 45 St., Fort Lauderdale
The F l o r i d a C l i n k e r B r e a k e r , November, 1990
REPORT ON THE 1 9 9 0 ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Pete Brandenburg
FABA held its 1990 Annual Conference at
the Pioneer Center for the Creative Arts in
Barberville, Florida, on October 12 and 13,
1990.
There were 80 families registered, for a
total of 158 people signed in and wearing
badges at this year's Conference.
The
attendance was good, the weather was good, the
demonstrators were great, and the Conference
was a financial success.
Master Bladesmith and FABA member A1
Pendray demonstrated pattern welding a Damascus
knife on Friday, and gave a slide lecture
Saturday on his work on the wootz steel
process. A1 provided notes on pattern welding
for the Conference, which are reprinted on page
8.
Dedicated bladesmiths stuck to A1 like
glue, and even beginners found his detailed
presentation clear and easy to follow.
We're
lucky to have him right here in Florida.
A1
and his collaborators at the University of Iowa
Ross (R) shows how to
are getting closer to publishing their findings Peter
make an 18th-century gate
on wootz metallurgy. We'll watch for it.
latch while
Peter Ross, Master of the Blacksmiths at John Struthers (L) cranks
Colonial Williamsburg, hammered out a large
the blower.
selection of traditional hardware and tools.
He, too, was always surrounded by an intent
crowd who watched every move he made and wrote down his many tips.
Debbie Parramore and Jim Glenn videotaped all of his demonstrations.
Peter provided sketches of the sequence of steps he uses in making the
door latch, calipers, box-joint pliers, spatula
and fork. His sketches are reprinted on pages
9-12.
I
A1 Pendray (C) and Peter
Ross (R) take a break.
J. C. Hawkins (L) waits fo;
the action to resume.
Roger Stuart gave an excellent series of
demonstrations
on
basic
blacksmithing
techniques. His lecture on flues and drafts,
though, is an outstanding classic that is a
must for every blacksmith. Roger explained in
crystal clear terms how to design a flue that
works the first time.
His lecture notes are
reprinted on pages 13-14.
He plans to expand
the notes into a full-blown article with the
extensive explanations on the principles behind
the design formulas that he included in his
lecture.
Roger is a Renaissance man of the folk
arts.
When he's not running his sawmill or
blacksmithing, he sings and yodels for fun.
Roger also proved to be an experienced
auctioneer Saturday night, and gave a wonderful
devotional service Sunday morning, which he
promised to write up for the next newsletter.
n
The '~loridaClinker Breaker, November, 1990
Willard Smith is the George Washington of FABA. He was instrumental in the clubls formation, and served as its first president. And he's
still contributing. At this conference, he taught hammer control to a
group of beginning blacksmiths.
He started
them out on lead bars, which are soft enough to
hammer cold, and then moved on to hot steel.
New member Ray Reynolds, who was attending his
very first FABA conference, presented his wife,
Anne, with a beautiful leaf that he made under
Willard's guidance.
Look for lots of leaves
-rating
Ray rs work1
Once again the family programs were a big
hit.
Diane Riggleman taught two large groups
to make 2 kinds of brooms, and provided the
participants with cleaned broom straw, prepared
handles, and an instruction booklet that she'd
written herself.
Lots of her extra straw
followed blacksmiths home, so there will be a
lot of new brooms appearing in Florida.
Mary Brandenburg, Anne Reynolds, and Nancy
Vineyard led workshops on holiday decorations.
Their groups produced woven trays, folded star
patchwork ornaments, crocheted trims, and bells
trimmed with ribbons and dried materials.
Their work space in the barn was cooled by
Willard Smith teaches
ceiling fans, which made it a popular spot.
Floyd
and
Cordelia
Daniel
rattled
Barberville -windows-with a terrific anvil shoot
Friday afternoon after lunch.
A number of
people came Saturday who were unable to make it
Friday, so, after many requests, the Daniels
treated us to a second spectacular show.
President Lewis Riggleman called a meeting
of the general membership on Saturday after
lunch.
Check page 15 for the full meeting
report.
Floyd Daniel reported the plans for the
Southeastern
Regional
Blacksmiths
Conference at
Madison,
Georgia, are
coming
together
well,
and
they
will Roger Stuart demonstrates
announce the
tong making.
slate
of
demonstrators soon. Jim Corbett will
be leading a site preparation team of
J. C. Hawkins, Skeeter Prather, and
Tico
Rubio
at
Madison
on
the
(From left) Brian Polk, Diane
Wednesday
before
the
Conference.
Set
Riggleman,
Mary Brandenburg, and Roger Gammel
aside May 17-18
lgglt
this
make handmade brooms in' Diane's
event.
I
broommaking class.
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5
The Florida Clinker Breaker, November, 1990
.
Carl Austin, FABA Treasurer, is
still plowing through the Conference
expenses, but he reports that the
Conference will come out in the
black.
Carl will submit a full
report when all the expenses are in.
Generally, the Annual Conference is
supposed to pay for itself, and our
$15
dues
pay
for
the
monthly
newsletter, the annual membership
directory, election ballot mailings,
and FABA1s other routine operating
expenses.
To supplement the money
from the $25 registration fees, the
Conference depends on proceeds of the
how t o make a folded star ball.
annual auction.
This year, the
auction took in $2,181, seliing a
wide range of items donated by members.
The auction is our major fund raising activity of the year.
It
also is a major entertainment activity and a good chance to get tools
and ironwork at bargain prices. Though some items bring in less than
they should, the auction provides our members with an opportunity to buy
wonderful items they might never otherwise be able to own.
Since the
items donated go to blacksmiths and their families, it is certain that
they go to folks who truly will appreciate them.
Tycee Grice organized the auction again this year, assisted by Vi
Payton, Linda Smith, and auctioneers Jerry Grice and Roger Stuart.
Jerry and Roger auctioned off everything from custom tools and handforged ironwork to raw materials, books, crocheted slippers, a handstitched quilt, and the gate made by the northeast region under the
direction of Vice-President Jerry Grice. The gate was the auction's top
money-maker, going for Carl and Norma Austin's bid of $325. Like most
of the other auction prices, this was a steal. We all are particularly
grateful to the many, many people who contributed the auction items.
Their generosity paid more than half the conference expenses, and made
it possible to keep the cost of two days of world-class blacksmithing
down to twenty-five bucks.
I
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Pete Brandenburg holds the script for
The Temptation of the Colonial
Reproduction Blacksmith.
Blacksmiths/actors: John Dittmeier
( L ) , Peter Ross ( C ) , and Lewis
Riggleman (R).
6
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~ h e ' ~ 1 o r i d Clinker
a
Breaker, November, 1990
Peter Ross contributed the items from his two days of 18th-century
blacksmithing demonstrations to the auction.
They included
a tong
set, a fork, a spatula, a pair of box-joint pliers, two different styles
of pintles, a complete door latch set with hand-made nails, a ladle, a
butterfly hinge, a set of calipers, a thumb latch, and even the jaw of
one side of a pair of tongs that he made to demonstrate the answer to a
question.
These items brought in $471, substantially reducing the net
cost of his services. While most of us were idling over dinner Friday
night, Peter was back in the shop filing the pieces he had forged during
that day's demonstrations. Thanks, Peter.
John Dittmeier, well known for his off-the-wall artistic contributions to blacksmithing (remember his bike snakes?), wrote, produced, and
directed a ten-minute theatrical piece just before the auction.
Starring in the play were Peter Ross as our troubled hero, John Dittmeier as
the good guy, and Lewis Riggleman as the bad guy. Peter proved to be a
good sport and superb actor-he
looked like he was enjoying himself.
Lewis was appropriately evil, John as angelic as ever, and Pete Brandenburg held up his part (the script). The audience, under John's coaching, provided suitable background music.
Later, the script brought $10
at the auction. That may have been the buy of the evening. When John's
been dead as long as Shakespeare has, his script surely will be as valuable as an original copy of A
Midsummer Night's Dream.
John also introduced an original
music composition to the world on
Saturday evening.
To the tune of an
old high school pep song, John set
these immortal lyrics:
We Are The Blacksmiths
Mighty, Mighty Blacksmiths
Everywhere We Go
People Want to Know
Who We Are
So We Tell Them
f, r e ~ aJ t
Peter Ross was overheard asking for
photo by Nancy Vineyard
extra copies of the lyrics to take
The Southeast Region (From left)
back with him, so John's musical fame
back row: Mary Brandenburg, Bob
is
already
spreading.
Peter,
Ringer, Pete Yockey, Ray Reynolds,
obviously, keenly appreciates fine
~ o Miller
b
music.
front row: John Struthers, Pete
The Board of Directors held its
Brandenburg, Ed Leopard, Brian Polk.
fall quarterly meeting on Sunday
morning, after the Conference.
Attending were officers and trustees,
Carl C Norma Austin, Pete Brandenburg, Jerry Grice, Steve Kalb, J. C.
Hawkins, Clyde Payton, Lewis Riggleman, Tico Rubio, and Willard Smith.
See page 15 for the minutes of the board meeting.
Plan now to come to the 1991 conference. Each of our conferences
has been better than the last one, and the next one will be no
exception.
a.
Photos by Pete & Mary Brandenburg
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The F l o r i d a C l i n k e r Breaker, November, 1990
'
SOME THOUGHTS ON PATTERN WELDING
A1 Pendray
( f r o m h i s 1990 FABA Conference demonstration n o t e s )
In selecting material to pattern weld keep in mind what you want to create. Cutting edge or macro pattern. Preferably both.
You need .5 carbon or more to create enough martensite for a good cutting edge. A simple way to get a close guess on this is to add available carbon in the material that you weld. For instance, 01 is .90 carbon and 1018 runs .18 carbon. A 3 layer billet with one bar of 01, two
layers of 1018 would have 1.31 carbon. This divided by 3 will give a
good estimate of available carbon in the welded piece. This would provide .42 carbon. Then you lose some more in decarb so you end up with a
very minimum carbon to provide a cutting edge. It would be tough but
not a good cutting edge. The chemistry of the material will provide a
good macro if it is different in the pieces such as one having a little
chrome or nickel, moly, etc. You will have a macro if you weld layers
of some material but not as much contrast as with different material.
Welding temperature as well as time at temperature will also affect the
macro. These are things that only experience will give you. Don't be
afraid to experiment to determine what will work best for you.
The number of layers that you use also will have to be figured in to
produce the macro and also micro structure. There is no magic number of
layers that will give the perfect blade. The first weld on good carbon
steel will cut but will not have a nice macro. For example, 5160 welded
to .01. This is also a good reason to be sure of the material that you
use. Then it becomes easier to reproduce the results that you want.
After you get the bar welded to the structure you want the heat treatment will generally be figured from the material used. If you use
water, oil or air hardening material, you can generally depend on hardening to follow the parent material. The 3rd element chemistry that
applies to the hardening ability diffuses very slowly, if at all, where
carbons move very rapidly in comparison. Water hardening steel can be
hardened in oil, if the sections are thin, such as knife blades, but you
don't always create the maximum amount of martensite. Oil hardening
will work with water or oil where air hardening works in all 3, water,
oil or air. After hardening you need to temper to get the performance
that you want, which is hard but tough. Too hard you will chip or break
the edge, or too tough or soft then you have a spring or less. Here
again you can use the parent material as a starting point but will need
experimentation to determine what suits you best.
With pattern welding you have the ability to create your own personal
steel so don't be afraid to experiment. This is what really makes it
great to work this material.
T h e F l o r i d a C l i n k e r B r e a k e r , November, 1990
FORGING STEPS FOR EIGHTEENTH CENTURY HARDWARE AND TOOLS
Peter Ross
(from his 1990 FABA Conference demonstration notes)
DOOR HANDLE
\-r
The F l o r i d a C l i n k e r B r e a k e r , November, 1990
'
FORGING STEPS FOR EIGHTEENTH CENTURY HARDWARE AND TOOLS (CONT.)
Peter Ross
CALIPERS
The F l o r i d a C l i n k e r B r e a k e r , November,.l990
FORGING STEPS FOR EIGHTEENTH CENTURY HARDWARE AND TOOLS (CONT.)
Peter Ross
BOX-JOINT PLIERS
The F l o r i d a C l i n k e r B r e a k e r , November, 1990
FORGING STEPS FOR EIGHTEENTH CENTURY HARDWARE AND TOOLS (CONT.)
Peter Ross
SPATULA
FORK
The F l o r i d a C l i n k e r Breaker, November, 1990
SMOKESHELF AND DOME
Roger Stuart
( f r o m h i s 1990 FABA Conference d e m o n s t r a t i o n n o t e s )
1.
s m o k e c i a m e tapers fro111 tlle size of the fire box to the
size of the flue. These surfaces should be straight and not curved.
T!le
The !)eight of the dome sl~ouldbe at
least 12" high or the sides tapering at 30"
to the flue.
If depth of flue is less than depth
of fire box, set flue to the back.
k
2.
~
~
~
k
5
.
t
The smokeshelf should extend the full width of the firebox.
Smcke shelf must be curved the diameter of the width of same.
3.
The throat extends the full width of the fire box.
The area of throat should be 2/3 to the same as that of the
flue. This depends on the height of the flue.
Flue or Chimney
1.
The size of the flue depends on the height of the flue.
A.
B.
C.
D.
2.
If 4 to 8 feet high then area of flue should be 1/2 or 50%
of the area of fire box.
8 to 12 feet tall is 1/4 or 25%
12 to 1 5 feet tall 1/8
20 f c c t or more, disrcguard all. of the above, fire box not needed
If down draEts occure and arc a problem, the solution is to add a
cap above the flue
1.
2.
3.
I !
Fireplaces Sunset Books
Blacksmiths Cook Book - Francis Whitaker
Country Comforts - Iruyere I Inwood
Copyright ( C ) 1990 RS Stuart
Circle K Blacksmith Shbppe
&.
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The F l o r i d a C l i n k e r B r e a k e r , November, 1990
FIREPLACES AND FLUES
Roger Stuart
x
=
1/2 Y
Y - 7 ,
b = X
V
Area of flue = 1/8 area of firebox if
the height is 10 feet tall or. more.
Area of throat is 2/3 to same area as the
flue.
Smoke shelf is at least 8" in diameter.
Lintel is 6" below the smokeshelf.
( I f c l r l o k c cscnpcs cxtend down to 12"
or more)
FIREBOX
1.
2.
Y 1s b u i l d e c s clioice
X = 1 / 2 Y
3.
Y
4.
= Z (smokeshelf)
Deflector or back is 3/4
of Y measured from
smokeshelf
Note:
I,.
deflector must be straight,
not curved
L i r l t e l extends O w below s l r ~ o k e sllelL.
extend down until problem is solved.
C = 6"
-
1L- sriloke escapes,
12"
6.. All sides should be straight up t o t h e smoke dome.
Do n o t p c r ~ n i t a n y curvcd s t ~ r f a c c s i.n firebox.
I want to thank everybody for the privilege of demonstrating before my
peers at the state conference. I hope everybody found something of use.
It is my opinion that knowledge that is not shared is wasted.
.
Roger S. Stuart, brother blacksmith
'
he'
F l o r i d a C l i n k e r B r e a k e r , November,
1990
REPORT OF THE ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING OF FABA, OCTOBER 13, 1990
The annual meeting of FABA was called to order on the above
date at the site of our annual conference in Barberville, Florida.
Prior to the meeting (but best included in these minutes) was
a report from Floyd Daniel of Georgia reviewing the last Madison
Conference in 1989 and discussing changes and improvements planned.
Floyd also issued his usual warm invitation for FABA members to
actively participate in the Madison event. Jim Corbett also spoke,
informing us that he has been asked again to take care of site
preparation for Madison, and needs Florida volunteers; he already
has J. C. Hawkins as a volunteer, he said.
After calling the meeting to order, President Lewis Riggleman
thanked all for attending the conference. The Treasurer's report
was given and a copy furnished to our editor for publication in the
newsletter.
A vote of thanks was extended by all to Steve Kalb, Program
Chairman, for his efforts at this conference.
There was no old business, and no new business was taken up.
A comment as to the possibility of changing the conference date was
referred to the Board members for consideration.
Clyde Payton gave a report on the anvils that we had previously ordered. There is essentially nothing new in this regard.
They still have not been completed, although seven are reported to
be. There is no plan for anyone to pick them up at this time. In
fact, further complications developed when Carl Austin reported
that part of the money (that which was paid to Carl) is still in
his possession in our FABA bank account, and that Pat Imbimbo has
all the monies that were paid to him (Pat) still in his possession.
So depending on which anvils are completed, it is possible that
part of the money might be needed from Carl and part from Pat.
Picking up and paying for only PART of the order was generally not
a popular idea.
Floyd and Cordelia Daniel were thanked for their performance
of "shooting the anvilttboth days of the conference.
The meeting was closed by a motion and vote, and folks
returned to the serious business of "the conference."
,
Submitted by Norma Austin, Secretary
REPORT OF FABA BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1990
A Directors1 meeting was called to order on Sunday morning, on the
above date, at the close of our annual FABA conference in Barberville,
Florida. These officers grid directors were present: Lewis Riggleman,
Jerry Gric.e, Carl & Norma Austin, Tico Rubio, J. C. Hawkins, Clyde Payton, Willard Smith, Steve Kalb, and Pete Brandenburg.
Tycee Grice, who manages our annual FABA auction, gave a report of
the proceeds for 1990 and the expenses involved. Proceeds from the auction were $2,181 and expenses were $4.35 for tie-tags.
In addition, Tycee stated that (based on her deep involvement with
FABA from the very first day of organization) in her opinion a booklet
should be formulated for our group; setting forthAvery simply the duties
The F l o r i d a C l i n k e r B r e a k e r , November, 1990
and procedures used by our officers in club affairs. She stated that
any new officer coming in should have these total "job descriptionsw and
would know what was expected of him or her. Her suggestion was enthusiastically received and discussion mentioned several areas, such as site
preparation (Tico Rubio), and auction procedures (Tycee Grice). The
Secretary will compile these booklets, after receiving outlines and
information. All job descriptions will be reviewed by several Board
members. Tycee's suggestion was made into a motion by Tico Rubio, seconded by Carl Austin, and carried.
It was agreed that letters of appreciation be sent to all conference demonstrators and to all craftspersons who participated.
Steve Kalb, Program Chairman, reviewed the conference and asked for
suggestions for future conferences. It was pretty much agreed in discussion that the present format be followed, more or less, while aiming
for greater programs each year. The idea of well known demonstrators
will also be followed, being advantageous insofar as attracting conference attendees, it was agreed. Steve asked for his ceiling for 1991
conference expenses to be set at $3500. J. C. Hawkins made a motion for
this, with Carl Austin seconding. Motion carried.
A change of conference site for next year was discussed; also a
possible change of date. Since our Articles of Incorporation call for a
conference in October, that matter was dropped. Discussion as to site
resulted in a decision that Barberville was definitely the most convenient, required less work, and relieved FABA of the problem for food for
conference folks. And, as J. C. stated, the Madison conference is held
at the same site each time, and very successfully, too. A motion was
made by Tico to retain the Barberville site, was seconded by Steve, and
carried,
These two matters were also decided:
1.
Next year, and thereafter, members of the Florida State Farriers
Association may attend our conference, without having to join FABA.
ABANA members who don't belong to FABA already have that privilege. The
motion was made by Tico, seconded by Lewis Riggleman, and carried.
2.
Fees for the conference are to remain at $25 and there will be no
pro-rating for one day conference attendance. There is a flat rate of
$25 for however much of the conference you can personally attend. The
motion was made by Pete Brandenburg, seconded by Carl Austin, and
carried.
Conference dates for 1991 are (tentatively) October 11, 12, and 13.
Suggested blacksmith artist talent to be considered for 1991 include Tom
Joyce, No1 Putnam, Frank Turley, and Francis Whitaker.
Vice-President Jerry Grice brought up the matter of education and
scholarships. There was no information at the present time concerning
possible scholarships. However, FABA officers stand ready to assist
anyone who is interested in obtaining educational funds through the FOLK
HERITAGE AWARD program, brought up at the last statewide meeting. J. C.
Hawkins is still agreeable to teaching under this program. Pete and
Mary Brandenburg will help put together whatever proposals are needed to
get this program going for interested individuals. No definite plans
were made at this meeting for obtaining students.
There was a standing vote of thanks for Steve Kalb, Program Chairman, for his part in providing us a top dollar program, featuring internationally known blacksmiths, together with our own talented members.
All this, and a profit as well.
Tico Rubio moved to close the meeting, seconded by Carl.
Submitted by Norma Austin, Secretary
9
The Florida Clinker Breaker, November, 1990
ABANA PRESIDEN!l"S MESSAGE
October 1990
What a summer! It's almost time for the Fall Board Meeting. I can't believe how
quickly time goes by! This meeting will be held once again at Emmert and Jane Studebaker's Homestead, Tipp City, Ohio, November 9, 10, & 11. We will be covering several
issues, mostly the 1991 budget. We need to elect officers and review the overall game
plan of how we conducted business over the year and how we are going t o tackle 1991.
At the suggestion of Joe Humble, past president of ABANA, we will also review the
way in which we elect officers for the Board and how many board members are really
needed t o run this operation with the least expense t o ABANA. Right now we have all 15
board members working overtime to keep things going smoothly. We run a tight ship in
this administration, but maybe we should take a look at it. I do agree that in times
past there were too many board members for the size of the operation; however. those
times are in the past. I'm afraid. Sometimes we wish we had a couple more! Each board
member must spend between two and six hours a week on ABANA related issues. I spend
closer t o fifteen hours
I know that Bondi, Callaway, Carr and Brinegar are up
there too. It's hard to find members who can donate any more time than that, so if we
decrease the number of members, everyone's load will go up. Even two hours every week,
translated into dollars, equals more than a single member pays for a subscription to
the organization.
The ABANA Board voted to have two budget meetings every year. We did this several years ago as you recall. There was a time when one meeting would fill the bill,
but as the demands on the business end rose, as the volume of money that ABANA handles,
so did the need t o have more than one budget meeting. That is why we have the next
year's budget meeting in November instead of waiting for the Spring meeting to do it.
We were always already half way into the year by then and had already lost control of
the disbursement of funds for that year. The second budget meeting is held in the
Spring t o see how we are doing and make any adjustments. As you can see, by the
stability of ABANA, it's working. On the off year, the Spring Budget Board Meeting has
been held at the ABANA Conference, wherever it might be. Because the Board is tied up
in meetings the entire time and does not spend time participating in the conference,
the Board voted t o move the Spring meeting to a standard time, such as May, and not
have one at the conference. We will, of course, always have a General Membership Meeting at the conference as directed by the bylaws and the Board will have a short meeting
of those in attendance, but it will not be a mandatory meeting nor will we pay any
travel for those who do attend. The bylaws indicate that there will be a regular meeting of the Board of Directors immediately after the annual election. That one is the
Fall Budget Meeting. It does not provide guidance for deciding upon a second regular
budget meeting. It does not say we can or cannot have one. However, it does state
that the Board of Directors may: hold meetings at such times and places as it chooses;
and devise and execute such other measures as it deems proper to promote the objectives
of the Association and to best protect the interest and welfare of the members. The
protection of the budget and the direction of spending should fall under the part of
protecting the interest and welfare of the members. Without the money, we're out of an
organization. You can find this under Article VII, Section 3, if you are interested.
We hope the board members will be more free to donate time helping out at the
conference and be more accessible to the members by this move. It also allows the
board member to choose whether or not he or she can afford the time and money t o attend
the event. Of course it is hoped everyone will attend. It was a mandatory attendance
until the next time. Board members paid their way to the conference, all their conference fees, room and board fees, and spent 90% of their time in board meetings t o keep
the organization on track. One of the criticisms of prospective board members has
always been that they have to give up seeing the conference even though they pay to get
there if they join the board. We hope this will no longer be the case in anyone's
decision t o run for the ABANA Board.
We also voted t o pay travel to these budget meetings because we need everyone in
attendance. The budget for travel is established at the budget meetings, depending
upon the stability of the budget. Sometimes there may not be any money in the budget
that can go toward board meeting travel. Each member will receive a percentage of
his/her travel expenses, based upon the allowable amount for the entire board. One
time it may only be a small amount. Another it may be 100%. We paid the board members' travel to the conference in New York when it became obvious that this year we
were having a three day, near round-the-clock board meeting. We did not cover any conference expenses nor do we ever cover any other! board expenses at this meetings. We
...
The Florida Clinker Breaker, November, 1990
also did not go to the conference with the thought in mind to cover travel. Some drove
to New York and incurred very little in the way of travel expenses. However, many came
from a long way and made major dents in family budgets due to the conference-held
spring Budget Meeting. Many of the board members who drop off before their term is up
have done so because of the expenses incurred by them for ABANA. There are several
current members who were in that same position. It became apparent that ABANA cannot
expect board members to pay travel to board meetings. It is not unreasonable for any
board member to expect that ABANA pay travel. The organization should be supported by
the membership dues and sales, not by the sacrificing of the board members and their
family budgets. It is very important, however, that the board members do not assume
they have a free ticket on spending. Only a token amount of phone bills, fax expenses,
and postage is ever reimbursed. There is no reimbursement whatever for time. "Time is
money" for most board members and is something that they must sacrifice when they run.
As the organization grows, and as we continue to keep an eye on the money, there
is no reason t o assume that ABANA cannot continue to be totally self supported. I
think we are showing that in order to make money, we need to keep a sharp eye on what
we already have. We need the input of every board member at these two Budget meetings
to ensure that ABANA's monetary holdings are correctly looked after. ABANA was not
intended t o be run by the Executive Committee or a select few of the self funded board
it is true that with all members in attendance, it takes longer and
members
travel expenses are a little higher but you are not going to pull the wool over the
eyes of the fifteen people nearly as quickly as you will five or six. If the board
member can, he or she has the option to turn down the travel funds. Several board members do this at this time. However, to select the board members according t o their
individual bankbook would be very discriminatory against most of the members. We want
everyone to feel he or she is a candidate for the ABANA Board, and once the members
have elected them, we want them all in attendance at the budget meetings regardless of
their personal bank account.
We realize that there will be several people who will wish to find fault in this
decision. I invite them to write me about it. I also invite them t o run for the board
and help with the heavy work load involved and to take part in the rigors of keeping
the organization in the black so that we can continue to grow in size and scope. We do
not need nor deserve c r i t i c i s e w e need support for our decisions and we need help with
the work. ABANA has grown from a handful to a globe-full. We have come from a modest
beginning to a six figure bank account. It is a lot of work but it pays off.
This is an especially long message and I want to thank all the Editors for printing this information. It's vital that all blacksmiths are kept abreast of the workings
of the ABANA Board of Directors.
Warm regards,
Dorothy Stiegler, ABANA President
NEW MEMBERS
Carl and Norma Austin
...
William Bolger
26055 E Colonial Dr.
Christmas, FL 32709
Wendy Jenkins-Doupe
& Brad Doupe
250 5 Street
Fort Meyers, FL 33907
Merl & Rosie Nachtrab
850 San Pedro Court
Poinciana, FL 32758
(407) 933-2778
William Gable
829 Nicoma Trail
Maitland, FL 32751
Cecile Lorenzen
P. 0. Box 8738
Tampa, FL 33674
(813) 248-0238
Mike Roy
27840 Industrial Street
Bonita Springs, FL 33923
(813) 922-2222
Gerry & Carol Jamison
1807 18 Lane
Greenacres City, FL 33463
(407) 433-4453
Jeff & Brooke Mohr
P. 0. Box 855
Farmington, GA 30677
(404) 769-7147
John Thompson
1460 Club Drive
Vero Beach, FL 32963
(407) 231-5195
I
MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY CHANGES AND CORRECTIONS
Bill Bache
Walter & Roby Howard
P. 0. Box 327
P. 0. Box 1461
Gainesville, FL 32602 Lawtey, FL 32058
(904) 335-0159
.
Jim Lollis
2715 Brenner Pass
Tallahassee, FL 32303
(904) 575-8684
.
,
A
P. J. Schrimsher
12017 Molucca Court
Orlando, FL 32821
(407) 857-4946
-.
T h e F l o r i d a C l i n k e r B r e a k e r , November, 1990
NEWS FROM THE NORTHEAST
Jim Lollis
They gathered in and kept gatherin' in at Clyde and Vi Payton's
lovely country home in Jefferson County for the northwest regional meeting September 8. More than 30 folks found their way to the Payton house
and to Clyde's new expanded shop. facilities, where a large new tin.roof
covered a tractor, several portable forges, with plenty of space left
over to sit down, eat drink, and make merry. which we did, with a delicious and ample luncheon buffet provided by Vi and music by Lee Payton
(accompanying himself on guitar), Clyde on the mouth harp, and Michael
Murphy joining in with his guitar and songs.
In between the visiting and partying, some serious blacksmithing
took place. J. C. Hawkins led off with a shoeing demo by making a perfect thoroughbred bar shoe with a brazed toe grab, forging and brazing
in the same fire. As usual, it looked almost too good to be hand done.
J. C. also showed us how he makes those clever poker handles, this one
with 8 strands woven together. J. J. Thomas was there from Dover (alas!
he is moving to Missouri), with some of his finely crafted cutlery, and
he and Charles Ochs of Largo worked together on converting an older ball
peen hammer into a Yomahawk. Charles promised to finish it and bring it
to Barberville. John Butler and Glenn Lillibridge did some heavy pounding on a torsion bar out of a Chevy to fashion a punch with handle.
Michael Murphy brought his neat little gas forge, and forge welded a
length of l-inch cable into a large kitchen knife. Ed Neu worked on a
scraper, and Dennis Threadgill and son took on a job of forging a tomahawk from a folded railroad spike. Clyde and Vi have a great place for
a meeting,, and the hospitality is exceptional. Thanks.
Present were: 8 C. and Eleanor Hawkinsy'Pat Imbimbo, J. J.
Thomas, Roger Wellan, Jamie Watson, Charles Ochs, Skeeter Prather, Ed
Neu, John Butler, Glenn Lillibridge, Jim Burner, Carl Van Arnam, Virgil
and Fran Mayo, Wade Spooner, Michael Murphy,. Gene and Ann Windham, Jim
Lollis, Carl Wooland, Bill Tyler, Kenneth and Peggy Lewis, Dennis
Threadgill, Willard Smith, Benjamin Threadgill, and a few others that
didn't sign in.
[Editor's note:
out
.]
Jim sent this in last month, but I goofed and left it
,
1990 HOW-TO ARTICLE REPRINT BOOKLET-$2.25,
POSTPAID
We have reprinted a 'year of FABA members' how-to articles
from The Florida Clinker Breaker in a 24-page, 8%" by 11"
booklet.
The booklet contains membersg how-to articles
from the twelve issues of The Florida Clinker Breaker
from November, 1989, through October, 1990. We're selling the booklets at our printing and mailing cost of
$2.25 per copy.
To order the booklet, make out a check or money order to
"FABAN for $2.25 per copy, and send it to: Carl Austin,
Treasurer, P. 0. Box 1601, Zolfo Springs, FL 33890.
19
Ronnie Fowler
Steve Kalb
Dale Kipp
Lewis Riggleman
Willard Smith
+
..
FABA MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
ABANA MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
Artist Blacksmith Association
of North America, Inc.
Florida Artist Blacksmith Association
Chapter of ABANA, Inc.
-
Name
Date
Address
Name
Address
Phone:
i
cl tY
Home
Phone:
State
_
ZIP
Elt y
State
LIP
hereby-apply f o r membership i n t b
1,
A r t i s t Blacksmith ~ s s o c i a t i o no f North America and
enc 1ose
as my annual membership dues f o r one year.
~hefks.mu=
US funds. Membership includes a subs c r i p t i o n t o The A n v i l ' s Rin9.
Business
Phone:
Spouse's name:
9
Are you i n t e r e s t e d i n procuring:
I
.
!-
8
I I anvil
I I blower
I 1 other
I I coal
I 1 forge
'I - 1 hantt'tools
1 post%ise
-
0.
.
I
3
.
F u l l time Studenf ( 1 year only) $25.00
Regular Membership
$35.00
k m i l y M-r
(one vote)
840.00
Senior C i t i z e n (age 65)
925.00
Overseas Membership
$45.00
Contributory Member
8100.00
Public L i b r a r y Subsrciption
$25.00
.............
.......
........
............
I I
I 1
Norma IL Carl A u s t i n
FABA Secretary/Treasurer
P. 0. Box 1601
Z o l f o Springs, FL 33890
*
EXP date
i",!..
Send t h i s a p p l i c a t i o n and a inembe'rsltlp r r e of $15 to:
I
Card Iiunber
I I
I I
1
k
I 1
Master Card
Signature
-
-s.
VISA
[
...........
....
I
1 I
R
I
per
per
per
per
per
per
per
year
year
year
year
year
year
year
C a l l (812) 988-6919 t o charge your membership t o VISA o r
Master Card, o r make out a check t o ABANA and send to:
-
Make check out t o FABA. The FABA membership year begins
May 1. Membership i s a f o r a family. You don't have t o
be an ABANA member t o j o i n FABA, but many FABA members
are, and ue encourage membership i n both organizations.
ABANA
P. 0.-Box 1181 '
Nashville. Indiana 47488
-
. _-
T ~ I?
&~ l o r i d a
Clinker Breaker
Florida Artist Blacksmith Association
1532 Old Okeechobee Road # 3
West Palm Beach, FL 33409-5
(407) 640-0445
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6
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--rbervill8
(Nov. 3)
Tallahassee
(Nov. 10)
Cable Carl88Os
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r
Sarasota
(NOV. 24)
Fort Lauderdale
(Nov. 17)
November, 1990, MEETINGS
1990 FABA CONFERENCE NOTES
See page 2 for details
Pages 8-14
Member Through 4130191
STEVE & KIMMY BLOOM
IRONFLOWER FORGE
PO BOX 542
ARCHER FL 32618
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