McLellan Blacksmithing

Tomahawks
2022-03-12 09:00 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | McLellan Blacksmithing, 6961 Horseshoe Bar Road, Loomis, CA, 95650, United States
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

Beginners I
2022-02-26 09:00 - 17:00, 2021-09-11 09:00 - 17:00, 2021-05-01 09:00 - 17:00, 2020-09-12 09:00 - 17:00, 2019-09-14 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.

Knives
2022-02-05 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. Forge a “low tech” knife with an integral handle.

Forge Welding
2022-01-08 09:00 - 17:00, 2021-01-09 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.

Tongs
2021-12-11 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, with the project to be a set of flat jaw tongs for 1/4″; material.

Toolmaking
2021-11-13 09:00 - 17:00, 2020-11-14 09:00 - 17:00, 2019-11-09 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

Beginners II
2021-10-09 09:00 - 17:00, 2020-10-10 09:00 - 17:00, 2019-10-12 09:00 - 17:00
Class to cover the considerations of shop layout and anvil tooling.
We will be making a 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.

Hammers & Top Tools
2021-04-10 09:00 - 17:00
A discussion on hammer design and construction will be followed by making your own hammer.
Selecting the steel, how to punch the eye, and shaping and heat treating the faces.
Project: approx. 2 lbs. cross peen.

Advanced Tongs
2021-03-13 09:00 - 17:00
Various methods for forging tongs with tips and techniques to make reliable and functional tongs.
Project: a set of bolt tongs or box jaw tongs

Roses
2021-02-06 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.

Basic Tongs
2020-12-12 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, with the project to be a set of flat jaw tongs for 1/4″ material.

Blades
2020-06-06 09:00 - 17:00

Damascus
2020-03-14 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.

Bending Forks
2020-02-08 09:00 - 17:00
Also called scroll forks, or scroll wrenches. Learn methods for forging these tools and the best materials to use.

Forge Welding
2020-01-11 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
Flux
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.

Tongs
2019-12-14 09:00 - 17:00

Square Corners
2019-04-06 09:00 - 17:00
Forging traditional square outside corners. Various techniques will be presented. How to get the corners in the right place, etc.

Forge Welding
2019-03-02 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..
