Upcoming Classes and Shows

Updated: March 5, 2012

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Metalworking Classes led by Thomas M. Latané
Contact the schools to enroll in classes

Norse Lock

Tunnel Mill
October 14, 15th & 16th, 2011
Norse Lock for Tom Latane Workshop at Tunnel Mill
Students will construct a lock which is opened by a key that compresses a pair of springs to release the shackle.
This type of lock, which can be used in many of the same applications as a padlock, has a body constructed of
hammered sheet iron secured with tenoned ribs and brazed in the forge.
Options for key variations will be discussed.
Contact Tunnel Mill

Hand Forged Axe

Driftless Folk School, Viroqua Wi
Nov. 11, 12, 2011
Latane Norse Style Axe
Students will strike for each other to produce axes from bars of 1/2" x 1 1/2" mild steel folded upon themselves with high carbon steel bits welded at the cutting edges. Shapes can vary.
Contact Driftless Folk School


Seventeenth Century Battle Axe or Hewing Hatchet

Tunnel Mill, April 20, 21 & 22nd, 2012
Due to popular demand, we have added a second class, May 11, 12 & 13th

Latane' Norse Style Axe, heavily decorated

Students will forge an axe with a tapered rectangular eye socket. This shapely early form is made up of three pieces rather than the two used to produce an axe with a simple wrapped eye.
Parts will be forged to shape from 1/4" and 1/2" thick mild steel, forge welded together and further forged to refine. A high carbon steel bit will be welded between layers of low carbon steel, shaped, hardened and tempered. Students wishing to create a hewing hatchet may leave the blade thicker and less broad with the high carbon steel welded to one side rather than in the center of the edge.
The low carbon body of the axe will remain soft enough that it can be decorated cold with punches (at home if there is not time in class) as the early ones were.
Contact Tunnel Mill

Tinsmithing with Kitty Latane'

Samples of Kitty Latane' Tinwork Projects

Tunnel Mill, April 21 and April 22, 2012 (Two-one day classes)

Come to Tunnel Mill and learn a centuries old craft, Tinsmithing, with Kitty Latane' from Pepin, Wi. Design and make your own one of a kind tin cookie cutter and/or other simple tin project, including flour scoops and candle sconces.
In this one-day workshop you'll learn traditional techniques for cutting, shaping and soldering tin plate.
$65,00 per day plus $15.00 material costs. Limit of 10 students. Class 9am to 5pm. Bring a sack lunch.
Contact Tunnel Mill

LOCKSMITHING - 16th Century Style Padlock

Touchstone Center for Crafts, August 6 - 10, 2012

Large Lock Large Lock Line Drawing
----------the lock produced in class will be a simpler version of this style----------


Students will forge, file and fit parts to produce a 4 5/8" wide padlock with key. While those determined to finish during the week may choose to keep all parts as simple as possible, there will be discussion of possibilities for embellishing the key, varying the ward design, creating a keyhole cover, and modifying the lock body. The class will involve forge brazing, in construction of the key, and hardening and tempering of the spring tumbler.

Skill level- intermediate to advanced
contact: www.touchstonecrafts.org

SEVENTEENTH CENTURY AXE

Jacksonville Center for the Arts, Floyd, VA August 12 -17, 2012

Norse Style Axe
Students will work in pairs to produce an axe for each student. Striking together they will shape 5/16" and 1/2" thick mild steel to form a socketed axe. Parts will be forge weld together (some experience forge-welding would be helpful). High carbon steel will be welded in place for the cutting edge. Axes will be pickled in vinegar, filed, and decorated (if desired) before hardening and tempering. Advanced students, who finish an axe before the class is over, may repeat the process on a second axe to develop their skills, or forge a simpler hewing hatchet, which will also be demonstrated.

Skill level - intermediate to advanced
contact: http://jacksonvillecenter.org


Demonstrations

Guild of Metalsmiths Fall Conference
Sept. 16-18, 2011
Little Log House Threshing Grounds
Hastings, MN
Tom will be a featured demonstrator showing what he learned about
forging edge tools (including laminated knife blades)working for two
weeks with Håvard Bergland in Norway last November.
http://www.metalsmith.org



Come See Us At These Shows

Laura Ingalls Wilder Days
Sept. 10, 11, 2011
Pepin, Wi
Tom and Kitty demonstrate blacksmithing and tinsmithing
http://www.lauradays.org

Bloomington River Rendezvous
Bloomington, MN
Sept. 19-24, 2011
Open to the public Sat. Sept. 24
Tom and Kitty demonstrate blacksmith and tinsmith work
http://www.ci.bloomington.mn.us/cityhall/dept/commserv/parkrec/specevnt/rivrendv/rivrendv.htm

Fresh Art Tour
Oct. 7-9, 2011
Visit our shop and see Tom and Kitty at work.
http://www.freshart.org

Pepin Hometown Holiday
Dec. 2-4, 2011
Special activities and Holiday Specials in the Village of Pepin
http://www.pepinwisconsin.com

Contact us