Blacksmithing Committee Meeting held at DMS in the lobby conference room 6/28/2022 at 7:00PM
Attendees: Joe Brown, Chairman, Dan Henderson, Vice Chair, John Fabryck, board member, John Kuhlenschmidt, Atlas Dunning, Travis Pechacek, Anthony Jett
Opening Statements
Overall, the latest open forge where we made railroad spike knives went well, however, we only had two students probably due to the hot weather
The temperature got much cooler as the evening progressed. and a number of people stopped by and indicated we should do more open forges in the evening
The students ended up finishing their knives using the hydraulic press, the induction forge, and the KMG.
A number of other projects were also considered leaves, s-hooks, bottle openers, cork screws, flint strikers, nails and letter openers.
Blacksmithing Room Progress
Drawing of the room provided, however, detail placement of equipment needs to be identified.
Need to acquire some form of metal sheet to put behind the KMG to catch sparks (this is still an open item) to protect the wall agreed upon, @jbrown885said he would try to find something.
@coloneldan agreed to create print of the Blacksmithing room to provide to the fire marshall . Print created but still need to work with fire marshall. Also need to present something to the board, especially if money is needed.
Once fire marshall reviews print it is anticipated that we will know the remaining items needed to make the room ready for use.
Will continue to visit topic at committee meetings until complete.
Other Points of Order:
Damascus class discussed (Ramp up projects, minimum requirements, frequency) and agreed upon by assembled members of the committee (@Gearstorianto write outline for pipeline, to be discussed at next committee meeting) –Still open
Safety document created and reviewed. It has been used for four tools classes and one open forge. Quizzes given and collected for all students.
Four Induction /Crosscut saw/Forge/KMG/Press classes have been taught since the last meeting. Goal is to teach three per month going forward.
Would like to teach a coal forge open forge project once weather gets cooler.
Discussed resurfacing old anvils with Atlas Dunning.
A number of members suggested the purchase of an automated means to relocate anvils, forges, hammers and tongs each time for the open forges. Possible recommendation for a forklift or other powered lift. It is dangerous to move equipment down the ramp by hand
Several people agreed we need to work on reorganizing and tidying up the blacksmithing area (Atlas and Dan)
Passed a motion to purchase 5-10 additional tongs.
@coloendan suggested purchasing some additional tongs, hammers and furniture. See separate document in this forum. Joe indicated we didn’t need a rolling cabinet as we already have one in the trailer.
John K recommended constructing shelving on the hydraulic press to store the dies. He agreed to speak with Atlas about welding some.
We discussed having a work day to get the blacksmithing area setup appropriately
Dan invited Kelly Kring from Brookhaven College to teach a class at DMS. He agreed once we the weather is cooler or we get the forges inside.
Dan talked to Time Bene in the machine shop about resurfacing the anvils. He was uncertain whether the weight or the metal hardness would be a problem.
Atlas inquired about putting wheels on the coal forge to make it more mobile.
1 Comment
Daniel Henderson
Blacksmithing Committee Meeting held at DMS in the lobby conference room 6/28/2022 at 7:00PM
Attendees: Joe Brown, Chairman, Dan Henderson, Vice Chair, John Fabryck, board member, John Kuhlenschmidt, Atlas Dunning, Travis Pechacek, Anthony Jett
Opening Statements
Next Open Forges discussed
Blacksmithing Room Progress
Other Points of Order: