Blacksmithing

Last updated 5/31/2007

I, Pete, began blacksmithing in earnest in about 1986, although I have worked with metal since I was 7 years old. And I have been in the learning process ever since. Now it's time to give back some of what I have learned.
I joined the Guild of Metalsmiths, an eastern Minnesota/western Wisconsin organization (see hot link below) also in 1986. This Guild is now about 30 years old and has a liberal sprinkling of mentors.
After "taking" from the Guild through mentorship, though its formal education courses and through general networking for a year or so I became active in Guild management. I chaired the program committee, took over database management and then the vice presidency including the job of recording secretary. I co-teach a couple of levels of basic blacksmithing now and I write regularly for the Guild's quarterly newsletter, "The Metalsmith".
A nice heated shop has grown up on our place over the years and to date I have collected and made a lot of tools. Nine of these tools comprise my budding collection of 25# and 50# power hammers. (See hotlink below).
My wife Sheran supports me constantly in Guild work. She is deeply into fiber arts and is currently quite involved in the spinning of wool using traditional 17th to 19th century techniques. Several years ago we began demonstrating our crafts as a pair, dressed in 1870's costume.
Please visit the links below to see more about Blacksmithing -related activities of interest to me. This site will remain under constant construction.

Miscellaneous Blacksmithing Articles I Have Authored

Hot Link to ABANA

Hot Link to the Guild of Metalsmiths

Anvils

A 16th Century Gothic-Design Steel Chest I am making

A Poor Man's Hydraulic Press

My Shop (Really Our Shops)

A 16th/17th century Padlock I made

Postvises

Powerhammers

Treadle Hammers

Basic Tools Made in Guild workshops

Index of Instructional Articles in THE METALSMITH newsletter

Gas Forge Plans, page 1 of 2

Gas Forge Plans, page 2 of 2

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