2014 The end is nigh

2014 IN CLOSING.

 SECOND BASIC BLACKSMITH COURSE PROGRESS.

With the closing weeks of 2014 ahead, the fast pace and busy activity continues. We have a second Basic Blacksmithing Course in its third week with seven students steaming ahead in the course and doing well. The smaller course offers better hands on with the instructor and less crowding around the forges and a little safer environment. John is doing a fantastic job in the teaching department and is keen to pass on his knowledge. There isn't a date set for the new course at this stage and the calendar of events for 2015 will play a small part in when the next course runs, as John is prominent at most of the events that occur, so we don't want to burn him out

A NEW SHED

Our order is in for new workspace in the form of a 9 x 9 meter carport style building. The space will be enclosed on the sides by the existing shed and the container on the other side. We will be enclosing the front and rear with metal panelling as and when funds become available. Until then we can move equipment out there on a temporary basis and then store away until we can secure the area.

When completed, along with a dolomite floor, we should be able to have at least six forges set out allowing 12 smiths to forge with ease. A concrete floor doesn't seem to be a hit with the majority of the members and would involve a huge expense, probably the equal to the worth of the sheds purchase price - however, you can't rule it out as a future improvement, even if it's just a partial floor to support heavier equipment, such as power hammers and the like.
Some of the advantages this new area will bring will be the ability to have a good sized layout table and ancillary equipment setup, such as a pedestal drill and grinder, a hydraulic press steel racks and the like. The original shed can contain a welding bay, rest area and instructional equipment for teaching. And of course we will still have the 40 foot container to hold our equipment for yard maintenance and event equipment like marquees, spare forges, anvils and vices etc.

Power hammers are under consideration. With our current 1 cwt hammer in storage, we need to determine whether to overhaul it and get it installed or rather think about purchasing a new Chinese made hammer, with the technical support, warranty and spare parts availability it brings. Andrew is pretty keen to tear down the 1 cwt and check it's worth for refurbishing. It will be on the 'to do' list for next year I should think.

THE BIG STEAM UP

Mannum is going to be running full bore on November the 15th and 16th and we have a host of colleagues coming from all over to help us celebrate the day and get in a weekend of forging that will certainly be a couple of days to remember. We have a huge job ahead in setting it all up and running it. We will be supplying a cooked meal on friday night and breakfasts for the two mornings for all the attendees.
If all goes well there is a strong chance we will make an annual event out of it and hopefully our mates interstate can come over and forge with us.

PENFIELD SOCIAL DAY.

We have the 6th of December earmarked as the Social Day at Penfield. A chance to all come together and share a meal and refreshments and chat about the association and the new year ahead. We will provide the BBQ for free and drinks at ridiculously low prices. We might even talk the president into dressing up as Santa (he won't need much make up) and hand out small bags of coke( fuel for the forge...not the nose) to all the naughty smiths.