Apparently Cville offers its very own blacksmithing classes. A trade you never knew you needed to know. Not only can you take A CLASS you can continue your education with intermediate classes. Now I know all of you think I am mocking this class, but that just isn’t so. I actually think this is very neat and we would love feed back from anyone that has gone (or knows anyone that has gone). It certainly never occurred to me that such a class would be offered just - especially here.
Individual instruction is offered by a blacksmith with 30+ years experience. Students will use a coal fired forge to explore the basic metalurgy of iron and steel. You will also learn how to build a home-made forge, acquire equipment, and fabricate simple practical tools and hardware.
Classes are offered in 4-hour sessions for $75 per session at the instructor’s shop. Sessions are scheduled at convenience of student. All materials are provided. If interested respond to this posting or email dembling@virginia.edu.
Popularity: 30% [?]
Tagged as: Blacksmith, Charlottesville Activities, craigslist
Are gas powered sports becoming so expensive we have to revert to knightly-activities? Build a chain metal suit, sword, jousting stick (wtf is this thing called)…I mean cville has plenty of horses it only makes sense. After all once we start taking our horses to work we will need to re-shoe them more, possibly putting National Tire and Battery out of business.
This is fantastic. Now I will know how to make swords when China or zombies or both invade Cville.
/never take a knife to a gun fight
jousting stick (wtf is this thing called)
lance
nice echo.
armstrong?
I believe the Clay Hill Forge is still in the UTZ building down in Belmont. They have prooty cool signs and do some nice handiwork. I think a lot of the iron work at Veritas was done by one of their guys.
I believe the Clay Hill Forge is still in the UTZ building down in Belmont.
Actually, I just heard their UTZ space is up for rent. Anyone know for sure?
/technically, I think that’s Woolen Mills, not Belmont, but yeah, like, you know, whatever.
i think learning blacksmithing would be great. i missed the opportunity to take advantage of a similar option when i was at VT, as well as learning glass-blowing.
on a somewhat related note, does anyone know of a good machine/welding shop in town? i have a need to get a custom project done that may be beyond the scope of my friend’s welder.
I can’t tell if the add refers to Clay Hill Forge/Virginia Institute of Blacksmithing (the same owners, separated under 2 businesses - commissioned artwork and teaching, respectively), but I was lucky enough to take one of their classes a few months ago. lasted from 9-6 on Saturday and Sunday, with a lunch break. we made a fireplace poker, a few nails, a candlestick holder and a couple of wall hooks.
you can check out upcoming classes/events at their website. http://vablacksmithing.org/
I’d suggest to wait until the fall or winter b/c the session alternates between brief lessons, followed by standing over a ridiculously hot coal fire (500°F-700°F) then pounding pieces of hot metal into the desired shapes….not comfortable when paired w/ 90° outside temps and 100% humidity.
I’d also recommend taking one of the month-long courses (3 hours a night for 8 nights) since it’ll give your blisters time to heal between sessions (all that hammering isn’t easy on the hands of the uninitiated)
wingnut - Clay Hill Forge does custom welding projects too, though they prefer the old fashioned way.
Are there any glassblowing classes/studios in town? I have the same regret from my college years.
@9 i haven’t looked at the UVA catalog for classes available for auditing, but i wouldn’t be surprised if either the Grape or PVCC offered something like that in their arts department.
the piece i need made is a little too technical for old fashioned methods, it needs to be made out of 1/4″ plate steel and have some fairly precise uprights welded to it (jackplate for a motorcycle lift).