Newsletter April 2008 Volume 1 Issue 3
In this issue: *Vice-President’s Letter * Interview with a Blacksmith * Safety * Monthly Meeting * Tips and Techniques * Off the Trodden Path * Editor’s Note * ABANA Letter *
Letter from the Vice President:
I would like to take this time to thank everyone for their support of the Guild. I think this year is going to turn out to be one of the best. Thanks to Tim Edney for one of the nicest facilities we could have. There is still a lot to do, but with the diversified group we have it will come together really fast.
I would like to see us get our classes going as soon as possible, with an expansion of the types of classes. We need more input from everyone on class ideas, such as skill, times and what you would really like to learn.
We need to give a special thanks to Vince Nakovics for all the hours he spends on the newsletter. He does a great job but he needs input. Every one of us has something to contribute. It doesn’t have to be large, it can be about the little kid you make smile with a leaf or the story someone told of watching their ancestors work.
The website has really grown and I would like to say thanks for the info. We have the Members Gallery which for anything from our personal smithing efforts. We need more pictures, and it doesn’t matter if it’s your fist hook or your most recent stair railing. If you make it, hopefully you will be proud to share it.
We have The Trading Post. Any member in good standing can place an ad. Just fill out the form and send it to me. It doesn’t matter if you’re buying or selling. Also check out the guild store while you’re there.
Someone suggested a safety page; we have Tips, Techniques & Useful Information. We need anything safety, stories, tips, Do’s and Don’ts. Do you have tips special ways of doing things? Do you have any special charts or formulas? On items posted, contributors will be given appropriate recognition for items submitted. We still have the Blog, It can be a source of info, and all you have to do is register.
Thanks and stay safe
Travis Covington
Blacksmith Interview
Vince Nakovics
Phil Koontz & Jake Pogrebinsky
http://www.galenavillageblacksmith.com
I'm a member of ABANA, and the Blacksmith's Association of Missouri, and recently, of the newly formed Alaska Blacksmith's Association. There’s also the Galena Blacksmith's Guild, which is kind of a joke between Jake Pogrebinsky and me, since we are the only smiths in Galena, and therefore, probably the only ones between Fairbanks and Nome, a distance of about 600 miles. Galena is a bush village in Western Alaska, on the north shore of the Yukon River and about 100 miles south of the Arctic Circle. We are both basically long time novices, although most of Jakes cash income is from smithing. He does strictly traditional work, and mine.
1. What was your very first blacksmithing experience?
Phil--Oooh. Good question. It must have been in about 1985 when I was a scoutmaster in Laramie, Wyoming. Our troop went to a summer camp in Colorado, and one of the staff there was a crusty, bearded smith in fringes buckskins who called himself "Smithin' Cliff."
That's exactly the role model I needed in my life, so I gradually gave up a couple of professional careers and ended up as a semi-retired grumpy old fart who hangs our with the hermits along this part of the Yukon. An American success story that blacksmiths can probably appreciate better than anyone else. Jake was lead astray by my bad influence, but he has long since taken the lead in both quality and quantity of work. You can see some of his stuff at-- http://jakepog.deviantart.com/
Phil at his forge!
Jake Pogrebinsky working his Power Hammer.
2. What made you think “I would like to be a full time Blacksmith!"
Well, part of it was the words "you're fired." But that's another story. I found that I like unemployment, and what started out as full-time smithing has become sort of a strange hybrid of traditional and modern metalwork, logging, log building, mechanics, and
professional work. I'm mostly the salesman part of the operation now, although I try to facilitate Jake in his endeavors. We sort of fell into one product that is modestly profitable--we make and sell woodworker's holdfasts. Somebody has to do it, although the skill and artistic requirements of the job are very minimal. Galena has very limited local services. There is no hardware store, car parts store, lumber yard, or in fact any retail businesses at all except a grocery store and combination gas station/liquor store, so handy work is a good thing, and we both get asked to make some interesting stuff,
including the 6' steel "ice picks" that people use to chop holes in the river and such, hitches and parts for snowmobiles and freight or dog sleds, and repairs for everything from boats to airplanes. Jake has lately come up with a really bizarre project, to build a steamboat for hauling freight on the Yukon River. Deep waters there--the boat
project, I mean, not necessarily the river. It's getting us into casting, machine work, and some other non-traditional stuff
3. What was your background prior to becoming a full time Smith?
Hmmm. Way too much school, mostly. Something over 300 hours of college credit, including degrees in law and engineering. I was a state regulator for a long time, and came to Galena to work for the City. As I say blacksmithing is a form of unemployment for me, and I like it that way.
Phil’ Mammoth hanging project Jake’s traditional joinery coat & glove rack
4. There is often much discussion about traditional methods versus
modern methods and the merits that go with both. How do you, personally
define the difference?
I figure that when you spark up an arc welder, that's when you have crossed the line. That's why I mentioned Jake as a traditional worker. All of his joints are traditional joinery--forge welding, rivets, mortises, or collars. He does occasionally use a power hammer, but I don't regard that as out of bounds for traditional work.
5. This is a question with several parts on some of your favorite tools, if you have one or several. Which hammer style do you prefer? How much does it weigh? How big is the anvil that you use most? What special tools do you use on a regular basis?
Favorite tools. Hmm. The anvil I guess, although it's no particular prize. I have a 110# Peter Wright that's a bit sway-backed and chipped, and unreasonably noisy, but I like it for it's origins--it's tool steel forge welded on wrought iron, and that just feels good to me. I have 3# Hofi hammer made by Tom Clark, and it's a good tool, but I always seem to go back to my 1000g Pedinghaus. Special tools. I dunno. I do use a two-burner style propane forge a lot. I've tried all the burner styles, and the T-Rex is a real standout, just in case anyone is considering the options.
6. What is your advice/recommendations to Smiths thinking about going full time?
I guess I would say find something you can do that makes wages. It's way too easy to work for free or for less than minimum wages. You really have to grit your teeth to charge a fair rate, and I never really managed to do it. For example: If I want to have an average income, of say $25/ hour, I have to charge at least twice that much, just to pay for the shop. That doesn't include fuel or steel. Remember the adage—
A blacksmith will go to hell if he works cold steel or under charges for his work.
It's not a religious statement, just the simple truth.
7. What do you get out of being a Blacksmith?
Cool friends and interesting stuff
This is Jake’s dragon, with riveted legs and wings.
March’s Meeting!
WORK DAY
MARCH 16 2008
After the guild decided to set up the TBG’s forges at Tim Edney’s place a work day was scheduled for March 16th. Members started rolling in to Blackwater Forge around 9:00am. Tim laid out the plan how he wanted the shop organized and we all got to work. First on the list of tasks was to move some wood planking around and clean a section of the shop to move all the metal Tim had accumulated over the years. Once we cleared away the clutter Tim had a better idea of where he wanted his stuff.
After lots of sweeping and moving heavy metal items around we had cleared an area in which to set up the two coal forges. As the morning progressed more of the guild members showed up to lend a hand. With the forges in place now came the task for Bear to get an idea of how he was going to install the exhaust smoke stacks. 
After everything was in place it was time for the meeting and IITH. Thanks to all those who helped out. It looks like we are on our way to hearing those anvils ring again at the TBG.
Is there any direction going on here? Hey! I didn’t mean it really, please come back.
Vince Parrish’s demonstration- don’t he look cool Vince’s audience hanging on his every word
SAFETY !!!!
This month we have a little story about “The New Blacksmith”. I do not know from whence it came, but if you know of the history of the story please send it in and we will include it in the next issue. Vince.
Does this resemble anyone we know?
An old blacksmith realized he was soon going to quit working so hard.
He picked out a strong young man to become his apprentice.
The old fellow was crabby and exacting.
"Don't ask me a lot of questions," he told the boy.
"Just do whatever I tell you to do."
One day the old blacksmith took an iron out of the forge and laid it on the anvil.
"Get the hammer over there," he said. "When I nod my head, hit it real good and hard."
Now the town is looking for a new blacksmith.
Tips and Techniques:This is a standard at our Demos and can be used for many, many adornments as well.
Editor’s Note: Well this month was busy and we didn’t even have a demo! Spring is here and our first demo is this Saturday, March 29th, Gathering of the Guilds, at Francis Land House. I hope anyone who can make it does. This is usually a fun demo and an interesting day. Bring a hammer or just bring yourself, either way you’ll have a good time. Demos are a great time to practice dealing with the public and also a good time to pick up a trick or two from your fellow Smiths. It doesn’t matter what your skill level. Like Travis said in his letter the newsletter really depends on input from you guys and gals. I can only yap so much, so if you have an idea, article, something neat that you find interesting then submit it and I will use it. At the same time if you have pictures of work that you did post them on the website. Travis will love you for it. If you made something write a little explanation of how you did it and we can put it in the tips and techniques. If you do a rough copy we can smooth it out and share it with everyone. Give it a try you’ll be glad you did and so will we. See ya at the forge,
Vince Nakovics
ABANA News:
Spring has come with cherry blossoms and get out of the house weather. Conference season is starting for blacksmiths in many ABANA affiliates. And as usual there’s news about ABANA happenings, news for Members, and news for Affiliate groups.
ABANA Happenings:
Long time ABANA board member Dorothy Stiegler stepped down from the board on February 17. Her statement is posted on the web site business main page. (www.ABANA.org/business/index.shtml) Three candidates were identified as potential replacements and in due course, Doug Kluender was appointed to the board. Doug’s brief bio is also available on the web site business main page.
In other business news, the By-Laws committee with approval of the ABANA board has completed a thorough revision of the ABANA by-laws. This is posted on the ABANA web site and questions, suggestions and comments from members are sought so that your opinions can be taken into consideration. Comments from members and answers from the board are posted on the By-Laws Blog page. (www.abana.org/business/Bylaws_blog.shtml) The by-laws revision will be put to a members vote in August.
Please consider running for the ABANA Board. Contact Jim Masterson, Nominations chair. (Jim@ABANA.org)
News for Members:
Last time the members discount program was announced -- now it is fully operational. (See www.abana.org/resources/discount_program.shtml)
Now a brand new program is ready for ABANA members! ABANA has partnered with Grainger to offer members access to the all of the offerings in the mammoth Grainger catalog for at least 10% off catalog each prices and discounts of up to 45 - 55% off list on hand tools from Proto, Blackhawk and Stanley, 46 - 48% off DeWalt and Milwaukee Power tools, 28% off motors and power transmission items, etc. Plus Grainger will pick up the freight cost to deliver these items to your door or you can do business with your local Grainger branch. John Cosenza is Grainger’s contact person for ABANA members (800-237-3174 ext. 384 or john.cosenza@grainger.com.) To order you’ll need ABANA’s Grainger account number: 873522098 and your ABANA member id number – your ABANA membership must be up to date.
Please get your ABANA dues payments in on time. Dues are payable during the entire quarter ending with your membership expiration date; if your dues are over 15 days late you will miss out on the next quarters Anvil’s Ring. A year’s membership will still get you 4 Anvil’s Rings and 4 Hammer’s Blows but late payment will result in a gap in your library.
News for Affiliate groups:
Affiliate libraries may subscribe to ABANA publications at library rates – but subscriptions are not memberships and thus cannot participate in ABANA member discount programs.
The Affiliate List on the web site (see www.abana.org/affiliates/affiliate_list.shtml) is being enhanced to have major events of affiliate groups. This is a cross reference to the Events calendar. Email me with requests.
The demonstrator list is seriously out of date. Please encourage all those talented demonstrators out there to check it out and submit updates. (see www.abana.org/downloads/demo_web.pdf)
Best Regards and please be in touch (pboulay@abana.org).
Paul Boulay
ABANA Affiliate Relations Board Member
Tidewater Blacksmiths Guild Mission Statement
“The Tidewater Blacksmiths Guild is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the craft of Blacksmithing and to increasing the public awareness of the history of Blacksmithing while at the same time demonstrating that in this world, things hand made still exist and remain objects of art”
2008 TBG Officers:
President: Tim Edney (757) 421-0123 blkwtrforge@cox.net
Vice Pres: Travis Covington (757) 617-9174 travis@covforge.com
Treasurer: Steve LaPaugh (757) 877-5684 slapaugh@verizon.net
Secretary: Joe Gentile (757) 965-6878 amx-ray@cox.net
2008 Board of Directors: Diane deBeixedon (757) 627-9962 ddebeixedon@cox.net Bear Short (757) 485-5117 hydraconstinc@aol.com Eric Hinckley (757) 497-6067 usnbear2@cox.net Emory Ewell (757) 482-1448 eewell1@cox.net Rusty Heely (757) 484-3054
Committee Chairs: Demonstrations: Hospitality: Bob Orcutt rocutt4@cox.net Tom Herendeen twoherrons@aol.com Joe Gentile amx-ray@cox.net Rob Costello robjeniantim@sprynet.com Scholarship: Vince Parrish snoozp@aol.com Mike Keeney scforge@cox.net Librarians: Website:
Diane deBeixedon ddebeixedon@cox.net Travis Covington travis@covforge.com
Eric Hinckley usnbear2@cox.net Building Fund:
Newsletter: Joe Gentile amx-ray@cox.net Vince Nakovics restoreman123@msn.com Diane deBeixedon ddebeixedon@cox.net Vince Nakovics restoreman123@msn.com
Tidewater Blacksmiths Guild meets every third Sunday of the month. Location of the meeting is posted on our website: http://tidewaterblacksmiths.com/ .
* Newsletter articles may be reprinted by ABANA affiliates unless otherwise noted as copyrighted or restricted. *