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BLACKSMITHING CLASSES
Introductory blacksmithing classes teach the basic techniques of heating metal until it becomes pliable enough to shape with hand tools, such as a hammer, anvil and chisel. You'll learn five basic smithing operations: drawing, shrinking, bending, upsetting and punching, and you'll make several small pieces of your own. Advanced classes introduce specialized skills in bladesmithing, forge welding and ornamental ironwork, and there's a special workshop taught by women for women.
Sign Up for a Blacksmithing Class Now! >>
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CLASSES
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Meetup Taster: Blacksmithing
Entry-level
Create art while forging new friendships in the process and come away with an experience like no other. Our 3-hour Meetup Tasters are a fantastic way to begin exploring industrial art and meet people with a common interest. In this blacksmithing Taster you'll learn the fundamental skills needed to forge steel and gain a basic understanding of blacksmithing tools. We've paired our Tasters up with a lunch for the morning section and a wine-and-cheese mixer for the afternoon section so that students may socialize and engage in warm conversation about their experiences. Not only will you create a small project, but you'll also meet new fun people. Sign up for one morning and one afternoon Taster on the same day in separate disciplines and you'll receive a $15 discount.
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Maker Taster: Blacksmithing
Entry-level
Our 3-hour Maker Tasters are a fantastic way to begin exploring industrial art and meet people with a common interest. In this blacksmithing Taster you'll learn the fundamental skills needed to forge steel and gain a basic understanding of blacksmithing tools. Sign up for one morning and one afternoon Taster on the same day in separate disciplines and you'll receive a $15 discount. You'll finish your Taster with a small finished project.
Coming May 2012...
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Holiday Taster: Blacksmithing
Entry-level
Our three-hour Taster classes are an easy way to begin exploring the industrial arts. In this blacksmithing Taster you'll learn the fundamental skills needed to forge steel and gain a basic understanding of blacksmithing tools. Taster classes make great gifts for a do-it-yourselfer, or take a class together with family and friends for a unique holiday bonding experience. Sign up for one morning and one afternoon Taster on the same day in separate disciplines and you'll receive a $15 discount. You'll finish your Taster with a small finished project.
Sign Up Now!
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Introduction to Blacksmithing 
Entry-level
This basic blacksmithing class teaches fundamental skills needed to forge steel and understand blacksmithing tools. You'll be introduced to tapering, upsetting, flattening, dishing and bending hot steel, and you'll make several small projects, such as spoons, knives, forks and hooks.
Sign Up Now!
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Women's Blacksmithing
(Twice a Year)
Entry-level
This special workshop—taught by women for women—gives you the fundamental blacksmithing skills needed to forge steel. You will have a chance to make a small project while practicing such basic forging techniques as tapering, upsetting, flattening and twisting. You'll learn the same skills and master the same projects as the regular Introduction to Blacksmithing class, but with epic girl power!
Sign Up Now!
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Blacksmithing Immersion Program
Entry-level
By the heat of a 2500 degree forge, you will heat raw steel until it is white-hot and moldable like clay. Using blacksmithing tools, such as, hammers, an anvil, punches, hot cuts, drifts, the fly press, the power hammer, guillotine and spring die sets you will learn to transform the shape of metal into hand-crafted projects including components of a small table that you will complete by the end of the workshop.
In a supportive and encouraging environment, you will be taught fundamental blacksmithing techniques including precision hammering and control, twisting, tapering, upsettting, punching, splitting, drifting, twisting, and texturing. Joining techniques such as riveting, tennons, banding, and knotting will also be covered to expand and build on your skills.
During this workshop, you will work with a professional blacksmith to learn 3D design and construction techniques. You will have the opportunity to construct a project of your very own design during the open lab. We will have a library of metal working books and sample projects for inspiration.
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Resolve to Create: Exploring Blacksmithing Tools
Entry-level
Try something new in 2011. It's Metal vs. Forge in this battle between heat and iron. Winner takes art! We will fire up the forge and show you how transform raw hot steel. Blacksmithing isn't just for making horseshoes anymore. This 5-hour introduction to basic blacksmithing tools teaches you fundamental skills needed to work safely in The Crucible blacksmithing shop. You'll be introduced to the forge, different types of hammers and anvils. Once you have finished this class you will have 5 weeks of access to be able to come and use our blacksmithing area to pound hot metal into new shapes and sculpture of your own making.
We know how difficult and expensive it is to set up your own workshop with all the equipment you need to do the projects that interest you. During your 5 weeks of access, you will have the opportunity to continue creating in blacksmithing.
Shop Access – How it works:
● The shop can be accessed Monday through Friday from 10 AM to 10 PM, and Saturday and Sunday from 10 AM to 6 PM when there isn't a Blacksmithing class being taught. There is no Friday access. Blackout dates may apply. See access calendar.
● Your access will be for 5 consecutive weeks.
● There will be no monitors or instruction; your Resolve to Create class is all you need to be able to work independently in our shop.
● Safety gear will be provided.
● You are responsible for your own materials (resources provided in class) and clean up. Studio rules must be followed at all times.
● Once you have completed your class, call us to schedule your shop access! 510-444-0919 x."0".
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Continuing Techniques in Blacksmithing
Prerequisite: Introduction to Blacksmithing
This class, a sequel to Introduction to Blacksmithing, develops your basic blacksmithing skills. You will learn scroll making, collaring, basic tool-making and heat treating. This class provides the skills you'll need for such advanced classes as Bladesmithing and Techniques in Ornamental Ironwork.
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Techniques in Ornamental Iron Work
Prerequisite: Introduction to Blacksmithing; Continuing Techniques in Blacksmithing
Improve your blacksmithing skills and produce quality work that sells. This class covers traditional decorative ironwork methods as well as an introducing you to the power hammer. You will learn and explore techniques including scrollwork, hot chisel work, twisting, floral design and other form-shaping procedures.
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Bladesmithing
(Twice a Year)
Prerequisite: Introduction to Blacksmithing; Continuing Techniques in Blacksmithing
This highly specialized course focuses on the forging techniques you need to produce sharp-edged tools of high-carbon steel. You will learn blade design, forging techniques for blade steels and controlling steel's grain structure, as well as hardening and tempering methods, steel finishes and handle construction. We emphasize the fundamental skills you need to forge a good knife.
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Forgewelding
(Twice a Year)
Prerequisite: Introduction to Blacksmithing; Continuing Techniques in Blacksmithing
This advanced blacksmithing skill has long been the highest mark of metalworking expertise. For centuries, it was the only way to weld steel and iron, and was commonly used to pattern weld blades and knives. Now, The Crucible makes this skill available to you in an intensive two-day class that covers all the fundamentals of this ancient method. You will learn the process of repeatedly drawing out a billet of steel, then folding it back and welding it upon itself, the importance of flux and proper use of the power hammer.
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Forging Fire Eating Torches
Entry-level
In this class, you will learn how to make your own personal fire eating performance tools. You will have a chance to make two fire eating torches while practicing such basic forging techniques as tapering, flattening, and twisting. Students will also learn finishing techniques. You will learn how to remove mill scale and add patinas to your pieces as well as use of sealants to protect torches from rusting. Construction of kevlar heads will also be covered in class. At the end of the class, you will have made two fire eating torches from beginning to end.
Sign up February 7th!
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Playa Tent Stakes
Entry-level
Coming Spring 2012... |
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Forge Your Own Blacksmithing Tools
Prerequisite: Introduction to Blacksmithing; Continuing Techniques in Blacksmithing
In this five-session class, you will learn how to make your own personal blacksmithing tools. You will make a punch and learn how to use it to punch the eye on a hammerhead. You will also learn techniques in double striking and heat treating, and be introduced to the power hammer. At the end of the class, you will have made two essential tools of the trade for your personal use.
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Build Your Own Propane Forge
(Yearly)
Entry-level
Need creative fire? Build your own forge. Guided by a professional blacksmith, you'll build a basic forge from an efficient design using three types of refractory materials, and keep it to use for your own blacksmithing projects. The materials fee includes all parts and equipment costs except the propane tank. Welding experience is helpful, but not necessary.
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Lab: Blacksmithing
Taking a lab is a great way to practice and perfect the skills you learn in class. In labs, you can work on class assignments or your own projects. Lab time is supervised but does not include instruction or materials.
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