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Microsmithing Anyone?

  • December 27, 2021 2:43 PM
    Message # 12218492
    Anonymous

    I'm not sure that "microsmithing" is a recognized or acceptable form of blacksmithing (I made it up), but we are going to try it anyways. At Maker Nexus in Sunnyvale, CA, we offer a variety of wood and metal workshops and youth camps. As we work to overcome the hurtles (safety, landlord permission, and equipment) to offering full-scale blacksmithing classes and camps we thought in the meantime why not offer small scale smithing activities that use smaller forges (BBQ briquets and hand torch), smaller tools, smaller anvils (railroad track) and smaller stock (nails) to offer a similar but smaller blacksmithing experience. I found this Instructable for a Mini-sword and plan to run a pilot youth camp on it. I was wondering if anyone has other small scale blacksmithing ideas to add to our project list.

    Also, while I'm here, we are looking for a welding instructor, so if you know anyone that wants to teach welding... 

    Rusty

  • December 28, 2021 9:23 AM
    Reply # 12220256 on 12218492
    Anonymous
    Rusty Hopewell wrote:

    I'm not sure that "microsmithing" is a recognized or acceptable form of blacksmithing (I made it up), but we are going to try it anyways. At Maker Nexus in Sunnyvale, CA, we offer a variety of wood and metal workshops and youth camps. As we work to overcome the hurtles (safety, landlord permission, and equipment) to offering full-scale blacksmithing classes and camps we thought in the meantime why not offer small scale smithing activities that use smaller forges (BBQ briquets and hand torch), smaller tools, smaller anvils (railroad track) and smaller stock (nails) to offer a similar but smaller blacksmithing experience. I found this Instructable for a Mini-sword and plan to run a pilot youth camp on it. I was wondering if anyone has other small scale blacksmithing ideas to add to our project list.

    Also, while I'm here, we are looking for a welding instructor, so if you know anyone that wants to teach welding... 

    Rusty

    Rusty, I've found that making hooks out of horseshoe nails is quick and easy.  They can be worked hot or cold.  Good Luck
  • December 28, 2021 8:11 PM
    Reply # 12221293 on 12218492

    To heat the material, a "1 Brick Forge" is easy to make, or buy, and will work well for small material.

    Bottle openers like https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-bcF5Q4yPA.

    Leaf key fobs like https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9b2ypuT3FyI.

    Coat hooks are quick and simple https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAagv1KT3IA.

    More involved, but still fitting in a one brick forge, is a belt buckle https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t6h4lUo1Cc and  https://blacksmithcode.com/how-to-forge-a-belt-buckle/. You can buy the belts for them on Amazon, just search for a leather belt strap without buckle for lots of options. 

    Heart necklace like https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMzqtNoMHHg. 

    Magic wand like https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEnw8879xis

    I hope this gives you some ideas.

    Gary


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