McLellan Blacksmithing

Knives
2022-02-05 09:00 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | McLellan Blacksmithing, 6961 Horseshoe Bar Road, Loomis, CA, 95650, United States
Discussion of the intricacies of forging and finishing blades of all sizes. We will cover some of the popular steels for forging blades and their idiosyncrasies. Forge a “low tech” knife with an integral handle.

Beginners I
2022-02-26 09:00 - 17:00
Class to cover basic techniques of forge work, with projects to practice those techniques.
We will discuss:

Equipment and fuels.
The proper way to use a coal fire.
Basic operations of getting a proper heat, tapering, twisting, punching, bending, and welding.

The project will incorporate tapering, twisting, and forming a shoulder.

Tomahawks
2022-03-12 09:00 - 17:00
Learn the traditional techniques for producing handled, edged weapons and tools. How to form the body of mild steel and weld in a tool steel edge. Making mandrels to shape the eye for a handle.
Project: forge a tomahawk

Damascus
2022-04-09 09:00 - 17:00
The mysterious and legendary material of the ancient Middle East. Discussion of patterns, characteristics, and what materials to use to achieve a good contrast.

Beginners I
2022-09-10 09:00 - 17:00
Class to cover basic techniques of forge work, with projects to practice those techniques.
We will discuss:

Equipment and fuels.
The proper way to use a coal fire.
Basic operations of getting a proper heat, tapering, twisting, punching, bending, and welding.

Project: Tent stake that incorporates tapering, twisting, and forming a shoulder.

Beginners II
2022-10-08 09:00 - 17:00, 2023-10-14 09:00 - 17:00
Class to cover the considerations of shop layout and anvil tooling.
Project: Set of fire tools for the forge. Pieces to include a poker, and a shovel. You can make a fire poker and water can if you have time.

Kitchen Utensils
2022-11-05 09:00 - 2022-11-06 17:00
McLellan Blacksmithing welcomes Francis Leidinger of Straight Line Forge for the weekend of Nov. 5th & 6th!
Francis will teach how to forge kitchen utensils ; ladles, spoons, spatulas, and forks. Cost is $100 for Sat only or $150 for Saturday & Sunday (Sunday only is not an option). Students must have coal forge experience. Class size is limited to 25 students.
Contact Francis@straightlineforge.com for information.

Toolmaking
2022-11-12 09:00 - 17:00, 2023-11-11 09:00 - 17:00
Class to cover basic techniques of hardening and tempering in a coal forge, with projects to practice those techniques.
We will discuss:

Basic Metallurgy of iron and its alloys
Heat Treating
Tool Steel Classifications
Tool Design

Project: Round punch, hot cut chisel, and cold chisel.

Tongs
2022-12-10 08:00 - 17:00, 2023-12-09 09:00 - 17:00
Class will cover basic styles of tongs and methods to make them.
We will discuss:

Shapes of tongs
Materials to use for tongs
Methods of forging tongs
Demonstration of forging basic styles of tongs.

Project: Set of flat jaw tongs for 1/4″ material.

Forge Welding
2023-01-14 09:00 - 17:00, 2024-01-13 09:00 - 17:00
Class will cover how to join metal with the use of heat and pressure.
We will discuss:

The fire
Weld preparation
Fluxes
Different weld configurations

Demonstration of different types forging welding with the project to be to weld some rings and make a chain. Other types of welds can be tried also as time permits.

Advanced Tongs
2023-02-11 09:00 - 17:00
Various methods for forging tongs with tips and techniques to make reliable and functional tongs.
Project: Set of bolt tongs or box jaw tongs with welded handles

Leaves
2023-03-11 09:00 - 17:00
Techniques for making various types of basic leaves. From basic to lobed and complex.
Project: Forge basic leaves from round and square bar.

Basic Knife Making
2023-04-22 09:00 - 17:00
Discussion of the intricacies of forging and finishing blades of all sizes. We will cover some of the popular steels for forging blades and their idiosyncrasies.
Project: Forge a “low tech” knife with an integral handle.
This is an advanced class. Knowledge of operating a coal forge, basic forging processes, and hardening and tempering are required.

Beginners I
2023-09-09 09:00 - 17:00
Class to cover basic techniques of forge work, with projects to practice those techniques.
We will discuss:

Equipment and fuels.
The proper way to use a coal fire.
Basic operations of getting a proper heat, tapering, twisting, punching, bending, and welding.

The project will be a tent stake that incorporates tapering, twisting, and forming a shoulder.

Roses
2024-02-03 09:00 - 17:00
Just in time for Valentine’s Day…The mystery of the rose that never dies. Forge roses from steel, copper, brass, etc. How to form lifelike flowers.

Animal Heads
2024-03-09 09:00 - 17:00
Make basic tools for animal heads. Then make a ram’s head from 1⁄2” round bar. Same technique can be used for many types of heads…steer, antelope, gazelle, etc.

Basic Knife Making
2024-04-13 09:00 - 17:00
Discussion of the intricacies of forging and finishing blades of all sizes. We will cover some of the popular steels for forging blades and their idiosyncrasies.
Project: Forge a “low tech” knife with an integral handle.

Beginners I
2024-09-28 09:00 - 17:00, 2025-09-13 09:00 - 17:00
Class to cover basic techniques of forge work, with projects to practice those techniques.
We will discuss:

Equipment and fuels.
The proper way to use a coal fire.
Basic operations of getting a proper heat, tapering, twisting, punching, bending, and welding.

The project will be a tent stake that incorporates tapering, twisting, and forming a shoulder.
Classes Require:

Safety glasses or sunglasses.
Gloves can be useful, but not necessary.
Cross Peen hammer, about 2 to 2½ lbs. Sometimes called a blacksmiths hammer.
Ball Peen hammer, about 1 lb. (16 oz. as they are usually marked). Vaughn has very good ones…Harbor Freight…usable and much cheaper.
Tongs, Vise Grips or large pliers can be handy…you can get by without for now.
Matches or a lighter
Newspaper to light your fire is a good idea.
And if you’re sensitive to dust…a dust mask doesn’t hurt.

We have tool kits available if you need

Beginners II
2024-10-19 09:00 - 17:00
Class to cover the considerations of shop layout and anvil tooling.
Project: Square, octagon, round chisel point, and diamond tapers for the Level 1 certification. A simple leaf for Level 1 can also be done if there’s time.
Classes Require:

Safety glasses or sunglasses.
Gloves can be useful, but not necessary.
Cross Peen hammer, about 2 to 2½ lbs. Sometimes called a blacksmiths hammer.
Ball Peen hammer, about 1 lb. (16 oz. as they are usually marked). Vaughn has very good ones…Harbor Freight…usable and much cheaper.
Tongs, Vise Grips or large pliers can be handy…you can get by without for now.
Matches or a lighter
Newspaper to light your fire is a good idea.
And if you’re sensitive to dust…a dust mask doesn’t hurt.

We have tool kits available if you need

Toolmaking
2024-11-23 09:00 - 17:00
Class to cover basic techniques of hardening and tempering in a coal forge, with projects to practice those techniques.
We will discuss:

Basic Metallurgy of iron and its alloys
Heat Treating
Tool Steel Classifications
Tool Design

Project: Round punch, hot cut chisel, and cold chisel.
Classes Require:

Safety glasses or sunglasses.
Gloves can be useful, but not necessary.
Cross Peen hammer, about 2 to 2½ lbs. Sometimes called a blacksmiths hammer.
Ball Peen hammer, about 1 lb. (16 oz. as they are usually marked). Vaughn has very good ones…Harbor Freight…usable and much cheaper.
Tongs, Vise Grips or large pliers can be handy…you can get by without for now.
Matches or a lighter
Newspaper to light your fire is a good idea.
And if you’re sensitive to dust…a dust mask doesn’t hurt.

We have tool kits available if you need

Tongs
2024-12-14 09:00 - 17:00
Class will cover basic styles of tongs and methods to make them.
We will discuss:

Shapes of tongs
Materials to use for tongs
Methods of forging tongs
Demonstration of forging basic styles of tongs.

Project: Set of flat jaw tongs for 1/4″ material.
Classes Require:

Safety glasses or sunglasses.
Gloves can be useful, but not necessary.
Cross Peen hammer, about 2 to 2½ lbs. Sometimes called a blacksmiths hammer.
Ball Peen hammer, about 1 lb. (16 oz. as they are usually marked). Vaughn has very good ones…Harbor Freight…usable and much cheaper.
Tongs, Vise Grips or large pliers can be handy…you can get by without for now.
Matches or a lighter
Newspaper to light your fire is a good idea.
And if you’re sensitive to dust…a dust mask doesn’t hurt.

We have tool kits available if you need

Forge Welding
2025-01-11 09:00 - 17:00
Class will cover how to join metal with the use of heat and pressure.
We will discuss:

The fire
Weld preparation
Fluxes
Different weld configurations

Demonstration of different types forging welding with the project to be to weld some rings and make a chain. Other types of welds can be tried also as time permits.
Classes Require:

Safety glasses or sunglasses.
Gloves can be useful, but not necessary.
Cross Peen hammer, about 2 to 2½ lbs. Sometimes called a blacksmiths hammer.
Ball Peen hammer, about 1 lb. (16 oz. as they are usually marked). Vaughn has very good ones…Harbor Freight…usable and much cheaper.
Tongs, Vise Grips or large pliers can be handy…you can get by without for now.
Matches or a lighter
Newspaper to light your fire is a good idea.
And if you’re sensitive to dust…a dust mask doesn’t hurt.

We have tool kits available if you need

Monkey Tool
2025-02-08 09:00 - 17:00
Monkey tools are used to square up the shoulder on tenons. Part of Level 1 requirements.
Project: A slot punch and hammer eye drift which will be used to make the monkey tool.
Classes Require:

Safety glasses or sunglasses.
Gloves can be useful, but not necessary.
Cross Peen hammer, about 2 to 2½ lbs. Sometimes called a blacksmiths hammer.
Ball Peen hammer, about 1 lb. (16 oz. as they are usually marked). Vaughn has very good ones…Harbor Freight…usable and much cheaper.
Tongs, Vise Grips or large pliers can be handy…you can get by without for now.
Matches or a lighter
Newspaper to light your fire is a good idea.
And if you’re sensitive to dust…a dust mask doesn’t hurt.

We have tool kits available if you need

Slit Drifting Holes
2025-03-08 09:00 - 17:00
Go over the theory of producing accurately sized holes.
Project: Forge slitting punches and drifts, then punch some holes to Level 1 specifications
Classes Require:

Safety glasses or sunglasses.
Gloves can be useful, but not necessary.
Cross Peen hammer, about 2 to 2½ lbs. Sometimes called a blacksmiths hammer.
Ball Peen hammer, about 1 lb. (16 oz. as they are usually marked). Vaughn has very good ones…Harbor Freight…usable and much cheaper.
Tongs, Vise Grips or large pliers can be handy…you can get by without for now.
Matches or a lighter
Newspaper to light your fire is a good idea.
And if you’re sensitive to dust…a dust mask doesn’t hurt.

We have tool kits available if you need

Basic Knife Making
2025-04-26 09:00 - 17:00
Discussion of the intricacies of forging and finishing blades of all sizes. We will cover some of the popular steels for forging blades and their idiosyncrasies.
Project: Forge a “low tech” knife with an integral handle.
Classes Require:

Safety glasses or sunglasses.
Gloves can be useful, but not necessary.
Cross Peen hammer, about 2 to 2½ lbs. Sometimes called a blacksmiths hammer.
Ball Peen hammer, about 1 lb. (16 oz. as they are usually marked). Vaughn has very good ones…Harbor Freight…usable and much cheaper.
Tongs, Vise Grips or large pliers can be handy…you can get by without for now.
Matches or a lighter
Newspaper to light your fire is a good idea.
And if you’re sensitive to dust…a dust mask doesn’t hurt.

We have tool kits available if you need
