Email Us / Return to the Main Page
Not only are we a working Blacksmith Shop but we like to teach as well.
We teach basic blacksmithing and sometimes more advanced work- all depending on the student’s ability.
The basic class is an introduction to the forge; heating steel; the basic techniques; creating a functional piece from scratch.
The classes are 95% hands on for the student with lots of anvil and hammer time.
I start out by teaching how to hammer correctly.
We use small projects that the student produces to learn the basic techniques.
The student walks away with several projects like hooks; cooking tools; a set of their own tongs; chisel and punch.
I try to save a few hours on Sunday for an introduction to forge welding with coal.
The classes are set up for two seven hour classes.
I generally make them for a Saturday/Sunday as most folks work during the week or need to travel.
Our advanced classes are more intensive and more attention is given to the subject.
These advanced classes consist of: traditional joinery; coal forge welding techniques; animal heads; curves, spirals, scrolls and organic shapes and one weekend in bladesmithing.
We also aid in and instruct in the lay-out of a working and hobby shop; building a working forge; selecting steel and recycling tool steel.
Tuition for these classes is $450 for both days and covers all the tools and class materials the student will need.
All students must be at least 18 years of age.
Advanced classes are given to those students who have completed the beginning course or with instructors approval.
Class size is limited to four students per class.
Space is reserved with the deposit of half the class fee in advance so sign up early.
2008 classes are ongoing throughout the year.
Please write us to schedule a time at:
whitehartforge@yahoo.com
These are some scenes from our typical beginning blacksmith class.
I've had a lot of great people come through the doors of my Smithy and they have helped teach me just as much about this craft as I impart to them.
To teach successfully, one must become a student again.
Also, I am indebted to my own teacher who helped me get started and instilled within me a love and respect for the craft.
My students can tell you that he shows up on a regular basis during class.
Thank you Geronimo Bayard!
This was a fair weather spring class and so we set up to teach Dave how to forge weld.
Here Dave sets up his scarfed ends, brushes and hits it with flux and back into the fire.
Dave's first weld and it stuck!
Dave's got three chain links welded to either side of his last one.
Going for seven!
The typical beginning class
Hot slitting, hot rasping, and the hot cut
Hot punching a hole
Twisting in the vise and straightening on the anvil.
Our late winter class had three students so we worked on two anvils at both ends of the forge.
Sometimes you've just got to get around the anvil.
email whitehartforge@yahoo.com