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October 01, 2023
Discovery Letter Opener
Prerequisite: None. This is an introductory workshop Date: October 1, 2023 Time: 9 AM - 1 PM Location: Adam's Forge The Letter Opener is a Discovery workshop as well as a prerequisite for all of our blade workshops. This class teaches techniques that are useful in a wide range of blacksmithing projects. You'll learn how to work with slightly larger stock, and be introduced to the proper choice and use of tongs to hold the hot steel. You'll use the vise and a twisting wrench for the handle, and practice tapering and turning scrolls as well. In forging the blade, you'll learn about full-face and half-face hammer blows. Finally, you can apply a hot wax finish to protect your letter opener. Please note: All workshops are released for member-only early registration for one week before they're available for general registration. If you're unable to add this to your cart, you can wait for general release or join our membership program at any time!December 09, 2023
Blown Glass Ornaments
Prerequisite: None. This is an introductory workshop Date: December 9, 2023 Time: 1 PM - 4 PM Location: Adam's ForgeIn this workshop, Adam’s Forge is pleased to partner with Glass Artist Cathi Milligan. For over 30 years, she has mastered techniques such as torch working, kiln forming, mosaic, enameling and glass blowing. Cathi is also the publisher of LA Art News, a Northeast Los Angeles based online publication devoted to promoting art and culture in all of Los Angeles. She also teaches glass and jewelry classes at Pacific Art Glass, The Los Angeles Makery, and has taught at Otis College of Art and Design.
This is your gateway to glass blowing. Fondly referred to as remedial glass blowing, it’s the easiest way to experience it. We make 5 ornaments from pre-made capsules, which we add color to before they’re heated up with a torch and blown. Good times for all. This class runs about three hours, and everything is provided for you.
Please note: All workshops are released for member-only early registration for one week before they're available for general registration. If you're unable to add this to your cart, you can wait for general release or join our membership program at any time!November 24, 2023 - November 25, 2023
Bowie Knife
Prerequisite: Letter Opener Discovery - see comments for more advisory information Date: November 24, 2023 & November 25, 2023 Time: 9 AM - 3 PM Location: Adam's Forge Please note: This workshop takes place over two consecutive days. This class is scheduled as two consecutive sessions starting at 9 am. Students must attend both sessions. Each session will run approximately 6 hours with an hour meal break. The Bowie knife is the stuff of American legend - join us to create this historic knife that was carried by soldiers and frontier explorers throughout the West! Adam's Forge instructor Gary Standke will lead this workshop. We will provide all the blade steel, guard metal, and wood handle materials as well as the grinding belts and finishing materials. On day one, the students will learn to forge the knife blade and tang using one fourth of a farrier's rasp. Traditionally, high carbon steel was difficult to find on the frontier and these knives would have been made from whatever was available. Farrier's rasps were often available and repurposed into blades. After forging the blade, students will learn to forge and fit the blade guard. Then, they’ll learn to rough grind the blade. On day two, students will continue rough grinding and will then learn to harden and temper the blade. After this we will move onto the final grinding to get to a razor edge if desired. Then comes the final assembly of the blade, guard and handle to complete the knife. Students will leave class with a completed knife. You'll find this is an excellent all-purpose knife! Prerequisites: This workshop is for the experienced student. Students should be confident in hammer control and basic forging skills. This is not a workshop for beginners. The ideal student has experience working with high carbon steel and/or heat treatment either by taking tooling classes with us and/or the equivalent in Open Forge. Precise forging and close monitoring of steel temperatures will be required for success. All students must also have completed Letter Opener Discovery with us. Tools: Students do not need to bring tools; we have everything that you will need. However, if you happen to have the following, please bring them so that you’ll have the opportunity to use your own! Coarse files (i.e., 12-inch File Set, 4 Pc. from Harbor Freight) Tongs for ¼ inch x 5/8 inch stock This workshop is scheduled for the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving, and will run from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, with a one-hour break for lunch, each day. Students need to attend both dates. Please note: All workshops are released for member-only early registration for one week before they're available for general registration. If you're unable to add this class to your cart, you can wait for general release or join our membership program at any time!October 27, 2023
Copper Mask Exploration
Date: October 27, 2023 Time: 10 AM - 4 PM Location: Adam's Forge Prerequisites: None; this class is suitable for beginners. However, some hammer skills will make this class more rewarding and less frustrating. Note: this is not a Discovery class.Just in time for Halloween! Enjoy letting your creativity run while learning some of the essentials of forming copper sheet. This will be a wild workshop of taking flat sheet and making a 3-dimensional copper mask. We’ll get to use some of the wonderful tools generously donated from the estate of John Fusco.
Adam's Forge’s own Heather McLarty and Will Larranaga will cover some of the same skills and knowledge used to form vessels, armor, the Statue of Liberty, and other sculptures. Skills include cutting and dressing the sheet, annealing copper, work hardening, using stakes and other tricks of the trade.
This class is open to all skill and experience levels. Come ready to jump in, learn, and be creative.
This class runs from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm with an hour meal break.
Please note: All classes are released for member-only early registration for one week before they're available for general registration. If you're unable to add this class to your cart, you can wait for general release or join our membership program at any time!
October 26, 2023
Discovery Magic Wands Class
Prerequisite: None. This is an introductory class. Date. October 26, 2023 Time: 6 PM - 10 PM Location: Adam's Forge Could you use more magic in your life? If so, this is the class for you! This super fun class is a great introduction to the forge and is suitable for more advanced students as well. In this class, students will be guided in forging their own magic wands from a 3/8" square bar. The instructor will demonstrate various design options, including different styles of twists and surface textures. And they'll assist students as they create their own magic. Once the wands are made, The instructor will show students how to add an optional magic orb (otherwise known as a marble) to the top of the wand for extra special power. Finally, they will go over finishing options. All materials will be provided. Please note: All classes are released for member-only early registration for one week before they're available for general registration. If you're unable to add this class to your cart, you can wait for general release or join our membership program at any time!October 08, 2023
Discovery Letter Opener
Prerequisite: None. This is an introductory workshop Date: October 8, 2023 Time: 2 PM - 6 PM Location: Adam's Forge The Letter Opener is a Discovery workshop as well as a prerequisite for all of our blade workshops. This class teaches techniques that are useful in a wide range of blacksmithing projects. You'll learn how to work with slightly larger stock, and be introduced to the proper choice and use of tongs to hold the hot steel. You'll use the vise and a twisting wrench for the handle, and practice tapering and turning scrolls as well. In forging the blade, you'll learn about full-face and half-face hammer blows. Finally, you can apply a hot wax finish to protect your letter opener. Please note: All workshops are released for member-only early registration for one week before they're available for general registration. If you're unable to add this to your cart, you can wait for general release or join our membership program at any time!September 27, 2023
Discovery Bottle Opener Class
Prerequisite: None. This is an introductory class Date: September 27, 2023 Time: 6 PM - 10 PM Location: Adam's Forge The Bottle Opener is an introductory class as well as a great next step for students that have taken another of our Discovery classes and want to continue to develop their blacksmithing skills. This class teaches techniques that are useful in a wide range of blacksmithing projects. You'll learn how to work with slightly larger stock, and be introduced to the proper choice and use of tongs to hold the hot steel. You'll use the vise and a twisting wrench for the handle, and practice tapering and turning scrolls as well. In forging the handle, you'll learn about shaping a square rod into an octagon, or if you prefer, a round, tapered bar. Finally, you can apply a hot wax finish to protect your bottle opener. Please note: All classes are released for member-only early registration for one week before they're available for general registration. If you're unable to add this class to your cart, you can wait for general release or join our membership program at any time!December 28, 2023
Copper Bowl
Prerequisite: Any Discovery Class Date: December 28, 2023 Time: 10 AM - 4 PM Location: Adam's ForgeIn this workshop, you’ll make a copper bowl from scratch. Adam’s Forge instructor Will Larranaga will guide you through the layout, cutting and dressing of the copper blanks. He'll demonstrate sinking (forming) techniques using a variety of different methods. You'll be introduced to the concepts of work hardening, annealing, and planning your work so that the finished piece is rigid and strong. And he’ll demonstrate different tools and techniques to add texture to the work.You’ll go home with a new set of skills and one-of-a-kind bowl you can cherish forever. And it will be shiny too!We’ll provide all the tools and materials you need to complete your signature piece. However, if you have your own tools, feel free to bring them.This workshop runs for 6 hours with an hour meal break.Please note: All classes are released for member-only early registration for one week before they're available for general registration. If you're unable to add this class to your cart, you can wait for general release or join our membership program at any time!December 09, 2023
Fire Poker
Prerequisite: Any Discovery Class Date: December 9, 2023 Time: 9 AM - 3 PM Location: Adam's Forge This is a CBA Level I class Are you interested in building your repertoire of fundamental blacksmithing skills and techniques? Then, this workshop is for you! In this workshop, students will learn to forge a fire poker. Trust us when we say that it's a pretty rad addition to your project line-up. Perfect for camping or if you have a fireplace or backyard fire-pit at home! The fire poker project class is specifically designed to introduce students to two fundamental blacksmithing techniques - forge welding and forging to dimension. Students will learn how to forge weld to create the poker end of the fire poker. Forge welding is the process of welding two pieces of metal together using heat and hammer and is an essential technique for when you need to join metal pieces together. It is a tricky process and our instructor will lead you through the process step-by-step to be able to successfully replicate the process on your own. In addition, students will learn to forge the handle of the fire poker to dimension. This is another essential skill and we'll teach you the tips and tricks necessary to be successful. This workshop is most appropriate for the advancing smith with an interest in building skills and technique. While it is not required, we have found that students who have taken at least 3-5 project classes with us before starting this project are more successful and get more out of this class. All students must have taken a Discovery class with us. The workshop runs from 9 am to 3 pm with a break for lunch. Instructor: Leif Bennett Please note: All workshops are released for member-only early registration for one week before they're available for general registration. If you're unable to add this to your cart, you can wait for general release or join our membership program at any time!November 05, 2023
Corkscrew
Date: November 5, 2023 Time: 9 AM - 3 PM Location: Adam's Forge Instructor: John Drayer In this super fun class, students will forge a steel bar into a heart shaped corkscrew under the expert instruction of Adam’s Forge instructor John Drayer. In addition to making something both beautiful and functional, the goal of this class is for students to advance their repertoire of blacksmithing techniques to include: - Using a hot cut chisel to split steel bar - Learning how to use a “convenience” bend to isolate the ends of the heart for tapering and scrolling - Creating decorative elements such as twists - Coiling the tapered end into a corkscrew If you’ve had a chance to make your own hot cut chisel, this is the perfect opportunity to learn how to use it! The corkscrew itself has a simple and attractive design and the instructor will explain how these design elements can be incorporated into your own projects using the concepts he is teaching. Keep the corkscrew for yourself or add a bottle of wine to make this a perfect gift for someone special. Or use your creation at your next wine party! This class runs from 9 AM - 3 PM, with a 1 hour break for lunch. Prerequisite: Discovery Class or the Letter Opener Class. This class is most suitable for the advancing student with an interest in building skills and technique. While it is not required, we have found that students who have taken several project classes or workshops with us and/or spent time in Open Forge before starting this project are more successful and get more out of this class. Please note: All workshops are released for member-only early registration for one week before they're available for general registration. If you're unable to add this to your cart, you can wait for general release or join our membership program at any time!November 11, 2023
Discovery Bottle Opener
Prerequisite: None. This is an introductory class Date: November 11, 2023 Time: 6 PM - 10 PM Location: Adam's Forge The Bottle Opener is an introductory workshop as well as a great next step for students that have taken another of our Discovery workshops and want to continue to develop their blacksmithing skills. This workshop introduces techniques that are useful in a wide range of blacksmithing projects. You'll learn how to work with slightly larger stock, and be introduced to the proper choice and use of tongs to hold the hot steel. You'll use the vise and a twisting wrench for the handle, and practice tapering and turning scrolls as well. In forging the handle, you'll learn about shaping a square rod into an octagon, or if you prefer, a round, tapered bar. Finally, you can apply a hot wax finish to protect your bottle opener. Please note: All classes are released for member-only early registration for one week before they're available for general registration. If you're unable to add this class to your cart, you can wait for general release or join our membership program at any time!September 25, 2023
Private Discovery Letter Opener Workshop
Prerequisite: None. This is an introductory workshop Date: September 25, 2023 Time: 12 PM - 4 PM Location: Adam's Forge The Letter Opener is a Discovery workshop as well as a prerequisite for all of our blade workshops. This project teaches techniques that are useful in a wide range of blacksmithing projects. You'll learn how to work with slightly larger stock, and be introduced to the proper choice and use of tongs to hold the hot steel. You'll use the vise and a twisting wrench for the handle, and practice tapering and turning scrolls as well. In forging the blade, you'll learn about full-face and half-face hammer blows. Finally, you can apply a hot wax finish to protect your letter opener.
Adam’s Forge is supported, in part, by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture.