Learning to work metal enables you to make the tools that
you need. Tillers' blacksmithing classes are taught by skilled
artisans who will help you start from the basics
and move to skillful work. Not only is the craft of blacksmithing
rewarding, it will give you the ability to forge many of
the tools you will need around a farm or in a wood shop.
The new Herb Nehring Blacksmith shop at Cooks Mill accommodates
more students than our old shop, with more space and tools
for everyone. Its soaring ceiling and clerestory offer cleaner
air and cool work conditions even in July and August. The
shop was specially built to serve the needs of students.
Blacksmithing I - 310 VIDEO
This fast-paced introduction to smithing moves you through
the fundamentals -- basic hammer skills, heat-treating,
forge welding, and identification of "found" steels.
It gives a foundation of experience on which to build with
practice. With an anvil for each student, there is plenty
of hands-on learning and superb coaching in this popular
class.
Product: a chisel or punch. Enrollment: 4 to 12. Minimum Age: 14.
Instructors: Tim Carr, Herb Nehring, John Sarge, Paul Carlson, Chuck
Andrews, Dick Reynolds, Zac Smith and other guests.
a/ January 18-19, 2008 -- Friday-Saturday, 8:30am-5:00pm -- $155
Cook's Mill, Scotts, MI.
b/ February 16-17, 2008 -- Saturday-Sunday, 8:30am-5:00pm -- $155
Cook's Mill, Scotts, MI.
c/ March 13-14, 2008 -- Thursday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm -- $155
Cook's Mill, Scotts, MI.(precedes Blacksmithing II.)
d/ April 12-13, 2008 -- Saturday-Sunday, 8:30am-5:00pm -- $155
Cook's Mill, Scotts, MI.
e/ May 17-18, 2008 -- Saturday-Sunday, 8:30am-5pm -- $155
Cook's Mill, Scotts, MI.
f/ June 12-13, 2008 -- Thursday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm -- $155
Cook's Mill, Scotts, MI.(precedes Blacksmithing II.)
g/ July 11-12, 2008 -- Friday-Saturday, 8:30am-5:00pm -- $155
Cook's Mill, Scotts, MI.
h/ August 16-17, 2008 -- Saturday-Sunday, 8:30am-5:00pm -- $155
Cook's Mill, Scotts, MI.
m/September 4-5, 2008 -- Thursday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm -- $155
Cook's Mill, Scotts, MI.(precedes Blacksmithing II.)
j/ October 11-12, 2008 -- Saturday-Sunday, 8:30am-5:00pm -- $155
Cook's Mill, Scotts, MI.
k/ November 8-9, 2008 -- Saturday-Sunday, 8:30am-5:00pm -- $155
Cook's Mill, Scotts, MI.
l/ December 11-12, 2008 -- Thursday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm -- $155
Cook's Mill, Scotts, MI.
(precedes Blacksmithing II.)
Blacksmithing II - 311
This class builds on the skills learned in Blacksmithing I.
It provides more hands-on experience with forge welding and
tempering of high carbon steels that were learned in Blacksmithing I. It also improves
hammer skills through work on making simple tools. Excellent smiths will coach you on the projects.
Product: choice of projects. Enrollment: 4 to 12. Minimum
Age: 15.
a/ March 15-16, 2008 -- Saturday-Sunday, 8:30am-5:00pm -- $155
Cook's Mill, Scotts, MI.
b/ June 14-15, 2008 -- Saturday-Sunday, 8:30am-5:00pm -- $155
Cook's Mill, Scotts, MI.
c/ September 6-7, 2008 -- Saturday-Sunday, 8:30am-5:00pm -- $155
Cook's Mill, Scotts, MI.
d/ December 13-14, 2008 -- Saturday-Sunday, 9:00am-5:00pm -- $155
Cook's Mill, Scotts, MI. (craft great Christmas presents.)
Fundamentals of Blacksmithing - 312
This class combines the skill-building of Blacksmithing
I with the practice and coaching of Blacksmithing II.
It gives you more time to refine the basic skills of hammering
to draw and upset iron, forge weld, and to begin tool making
with high carbon steels. You will practice several
heat treatments to temper projects to the hardness and flexibility
they need. There is extra advantage and enjoyment
in becoming a smith for a week.
Product: choice of projects. Enrollment: 4 to 12. Minimum Age: 15.
not offered in 2008
Forge Time - 309
Tillers offers blacksmiths the opportunity
to advance their skills at their own pace. If you have taken a blacksmithing class with Tillers, and need a forge to practice your new skill, call ahead and arrange to use The Herb Nerhing Blacksmith Shop. The fee includes
a bucket of coal and use of Tillers' forge and tools. Bring your
own steel, or you can purchase materials from us, by the pound.
Enrollment: 2 to 6. $40 Cook's Mill, Scotts, MI.
Blacksmithing for Young People - 314
In this week-long class, young people will develop metal forging skills
in a pioneer style blacksmith shop under the coaching of our
experienced instructors. Students make BBQ tools, chisels,
and other projects. The fire and tools used in this class
demand respect and responsibility from students. Please ask about our application process for this limited opportunity.
Enrollment: 4 to 12 Ages: 12-16.
a/ July 14-18, 2008 -- Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm -- $290
Cook's Mill, Scotts, MI.
Knife Making - 315
Instructor Tim Carr is on the board of the Michigan Artist
Blacksmiths' Association and has been smithing for 15 years,
8 of them professionally. In this class he will show you
how to forge and heat-treat a simple knife blade from carbon
steel. See how scrap steel (lawn mower blades, old files,
etc.) can be used to make durable small knives. You will
also do some delicate hammering and file finishing, and
rivet a beautiful wooden handle onto your blade. This beginning
class does not include forging Damascus steel. (Blacksmithing
I or experience is advised before enrolling in this class.)
Product: a knife. Enrollment: 4 to 12. Minimum Age: 16.
a/ February 29-March 1, 2008 -- Friday-Saturday, 9am-5pm -- $190
Cook's Mill, Scotts, MI.
b/July 26-27, 2008 -- Saturday-Sunday, 9am-5pm -- $190
Cook's Mill, Scotts, MI
Small Foundry Work - 323
Learn to cast aluminum in green sand molds. Begin with mixing
your own sand and making a small furnace. Fuels, furnaces,
and crucibles are discussed and the challenges of patterns
and molding are explored. Pack a flask with the mold and sense
the excitement of pouring the molten metal into it. This class
has been expanded, bringing the skills
of Russ Allen's pattern making. Students will learn different
techniques in duplicating objects to cast. Enjoy the experience
and enthusiasm of these great instructors.
Bring a small, simple object for possible use as a demonstration
casting pattern.
Enrollment: 4 to 15. Minimum Age: 16.
a/ May 24-25, 2008 -- Saturday-Sunday, 9am-5:30pm -- $185
Cook's Mill, Scotts, MI.
Machining-- Surface Grinder Techniques- 340
Charlie Bussard shares his career experience in Machining. Students learn the basics, emphasizing safety and setting up and grinding in the chuck and back rail. Get hands on experience while learning factors in choosing wheels and machine maintenance. In the afternoon explore measuring techniques appropriate for surface grinding work including side grinding, pin grinding and sine plate work. We will finish up the day with some time learning how to set up a radius dresser. While most of this sounds foreign, this class will emphesize the practicality of surface grinding. Bring a small project, such as cutter blades to sharpen. This class will lay the ground work for future machine classes at Tillers.
Enrollment: 4 to 6. Minimum Age: 16.
a/ March 8, 2008 -- Saturday, 9am-5:30pm -- $70
Cook's Mill, Scotts, MI. Charlie Bussard, Instructor
Historical Toolmaking - 343
James Slining brings over 20 years of blacksmithing experience to this informative class. For 13 years, he was blacksmith at Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia. Now he reproduces iron work for public and private restoration efforts between blacksmithing conferences and workshops across the country. James Slining emphasizes methods of forging while building common shop tools including but a chisel, hold down, and hatchet. Learn to manage heats while forge welding high carbon steel to low carbon steel. This class will enlighten intermediate to experienced smiths in the study of Colonial period techniques for forging
and finishing tools.
Enrollment: 6 to 12.
a/ September 26-27, 2008 -- Friday-Saturday, 8:30am-5pm -- $195
Cook's Mill, Scotts, MI. James Slining, Instructor
Copper Smithing Introduction - 383
Hand-formed copper work is a tradition and an art. Cut patterns
by hand from sheet copper, then hammer them into bowls, candleholders,
or ornaments. In a calm and unhurried class, your work will pass through the
steps of hammer shaping, annealing, re-hammering, and re-annealing
to the final planish. A color patina can be added to age it.
Product: your choice of several projects. Enrollment: 4 to 12. Minimum Age: 16.
not offered in 2008
Copper Smithing II - 384
The process of handmade copper work continues. This class
adds to the formwork of bowls, cups, and plates with the attachment
of hammer-formed copper legs or handles with rivets. If you
have blacksmithing skills you can add ironwork legs and handles
as well.
not offered in 2008
Artistic Smithing Clinics - 389
Featuring Scott Lankton, and Bruce Woodward
Gain expert techniques as you study the skills of these masters. Please note that these workshops are for intermediate to advanced smiths.
Enrollment: 4 to 12. Minimum Age: 16.
The Garden Gate: Scott Lankton brings scroll work, collars, leaves, animals, layout and design together with a flair for teaching and sharing. His nationally known work is an inspiration to students. In this three day class, students build a narrow garden gate. Prerequisites of Tillers' Blacksmithing I & II or classes with Holly Fisher at The Smart Shop help students progress faster.
b/ March 28-30 -- Friday-Sunday, 9am-5pm -- $360
Cook's Mill, Scotts, MI. Scott Lankton, Instructor.
Decorative Hinges: Bruce Woodward's class will explore blacksmithing versions of Arts and Crafts works with their Oriental influences. His presentation on
artistic style in smithed works is reason enough to attend his workshops. This year we will make hinges for gates that will be used for Tillers' front gates. While you leave behind your work that will be on display, you take home knowledge and experience. Bruce is a master at designs that catch the eye with small details that add color and light to black forms.
a/ October 24-26, 2008 -- Friday-Sunday, 9am-5pm -- $260
Cook's Mill, Scotts, MI. Bruce Woodward, Instructor.
Making Garden Tools - 427
Frustrated by low quality or high prices when shopping for that perfect, and often not available, garden tool? Bring your ideas to the metal shop and test the results in our garden. Make longer handles on your hoe, and special blades on your weeder that will give you pride and pleasure working in your garden.
Product: small cultivator.
Enrollment: 3 to 6. Minimum Age: 18.
not offered in 2008
Tools for Timber Framers - 452
Students will make their own framing tools in this practical
tool chest building class. Leave with more than your money's
worth of tools, plus the knowledge to make more. Non-traditional
metal working methods and processes are used to facilitate
production. (For more traditional techniques, consider our
Historical Toolmaking class.)
Product: chisels, slicks, gouges, and mallets.
Enrollment: 4 to 10. Minimum Age: 16.
a/ April 19-20, 2008 -- Saturday-Sunday, 8:30am-5pm -- $230
Cook's Mill, Scotts, MI.
Blacksmithing Lead Instructors
Chuck Andrews is an accomplished smith who enjoys
assisting Herb and our other lead instructors.
Paul Carlson is a fine artist at heart and by ability.
He does detailed finish work in iron and advises students
to gain one skill at a time.
Tim Carr is on the board of the Michigan Artist
Blacksmiths' Association and has been smithing for 15 years,
8 of them professionally.
Scott Lankton is a nationally
recognized architectural blacksmith whose mortise and tenon work
is especially impressive. He will show his technique for splitting
(rather than punching) iron bars so all the metal is kept and an
attractive swell is created around the mortise. Scott is also teaches scrolling and floral decorations.
Herb Nehring studied blacksmithing with the farrier
instructors at Michigan State University in 1948. After
a few years of horseshoeing, he followed a career in metalworking.
During the ten years since his retirement, he has lent his vast treasury
of skills and knowledge to Tillers' classes.
Dick Reynolds is a skilled mechanical volunteer
who provides great smithing coaching to Tillers' students.
John Sarge has an exceptional combination of mechanical perception
and artistic appreciation that permits him to execute fine metal
work very efficiently. He is at home with both hand and power tools.
Bruce Woodward was featured in the Winter 2001 Anvil's Ring Magazine,
and brings to Tillers his beautifully stylized work. |
