ABSTRACT : Working with Structural Steels, an intermediate level training course for blacksmiths. Artisan Blacksmith Darrell Markewitz offers a regular series of weekend long programs in a number of aspects of traditional Blacksmithing. Special courses include : layered steels (pattern welding), bladesmithing / knife making, bronze casting, iron smelting. Programs held at the Wareham Forge in Ontario Canada, with remote teaching offered at other facilities.

Learn the Art of the Smith



Working with Structural Steels

This program only offered if specifically requested for 2021
Only dates from Late Summer through Late Fall - if available

This intensive, hands on, 16 hour session will introduce the student to the basic techniques required for forging structural steel materials. Each student will learn to work with three primary materials : Pipe / Angle / Channel (and through extension, tube / T bar). How to use MIG to combine flat bar elements into more complex structural based shapes will be illustrated. Specialized / Modified tooling will be examined, as well as use of the air hammer. Design possibilities of all these materials, through the possibilities of hand forging, will be considered.

forge weld
layered billets
pattern
                    weld knife
working CHANNEL : 'Celts at the Gate'
working PIPE : 'Lily Arbour'
working ANGLE : 'Kelp Handrail'
working BAR : 'Riverdale Railing'

Requires basic level blacksmithing experience (general forging practices), see Course Requirements. Session limited to TWO students, with each provided with their own work station. 

Programs are open to any physically able people, from young adults onwards. (Aged 16 an up - see a special note : Teens as Students). Any students with "learning \ physical disabilities" need to refer to the detail section on Course Requirements. English is the language of instruction. Sorry - the Wareham Forge is not really wheel chair accessible.

Your instructor is professional blacksmith Darrell Markewitz of the Wareham Forge. Please look over Darrell's past work with structural materials, seen in gates and railings.

In addition to exploring the possibilities of 'exploding' structural shapes, exploration into surface texturing and distorting will be undertaken. Although emphasis will be on hand forging methods, students will be able to employ an air hammer to speed the work of drawing out. The stress of this program is forging elements rather than completing a specific object.


'Forging a Rush Tip' - One of the skills learned in Working with Sturctural Steels

Facilities: the Wareham Forge

The shop combines traditional and modern equipment, with the main forge coal fired (for forge welding) and two gas forges for general forging steps. There will be one anvil per student, all basic tools will be provided. A 50 lb throw air hammer will be used for drawing out. Equipment includes the related grinding and polishing machinery, as well as a fully equipped fine metals studio.

The Wareham Forge is located in Grey County (Central Ontario), about half way between Orangeville and Owen Sound. We are about 5 miles SE of the village of Flesherton, just off highway 10, (about 2 hours drive NW of Toronto).



For detailed outlines and applications contact:

the Wareham Forge

Darrell Markewitz
RR # 2, Proton Station, Ont. N0C 1L0
phone/fax 519-923-9219

info@warehamforge.ca

Can't make it to Wareham?

Take a look at the educational DVD's / CD-ROMs produced by the Wareham Forge
Introduction
Bladesmithing
Smelting
Denmark
Introduction to BLACKSMITHING
Historic BLADESMITHING
Forging the VIKING AGE
IRON SMELTING in the Viking Age
Exploring the Viking Age in Denmark

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Text & images © Darrell Markewitz