McLellan Blacksmithing

Beginners I
2023-09-09 09:00 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | McLellan Blacksmithing, 6961 Horseshoe Bar Road, Loomis, CA, 95650, United States
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.

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.

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.

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

Forge Welding
2023-01-14 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
2022-12-10 08:00 - 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.

Toolmaking
2022-11-12 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.

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.

Beginners II
2022-10-08 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.

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.

Damascus
2022-04-09 09:00 - 17:00, 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.

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

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
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
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
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
