Houston
Area
Blacksmith's
Association
7418 Branch Point
Houston, TX 77095-2649
2005
Board of Directors
Richard Boswell
27923 FM 2978
Magnolia, TX
77354
281-356-5205
James Porter
281-337-5384
and Secretary
Dave Koenig
281-855-2869
Cathy Porter
1925 Anchor Way Dickinson TX 77539
281-337-5384
Frank Walters
281-491-7328
Tim Bailey
713-398-4086
Mark Finstad
713-528-0452
Tee Hines
281-356-1340
and Board Member
Les Cook
281-481-2457
On Line
Resources
ABANA
ABANA Demonstrator Guideline
North Texas
Blacksmiths Association
Balcones Forge
Louisiana Metalsmiths
Association
Maps
Forging a Fireplace Set
with
Rob Kirby
 |
HABA brings blacksmithing demonstration to another part of our communinty with this month's meeting at Harold Borup’s shop in Lake Jackson which is southwest of Houston. The program is “Forging a Fireplace Set” and Rob Kirby plans to lead us through the construction of the basic tools and techniques to make a set similar to the one featured in our HCCC Art show last year. Additionally, we will get a lesson in broom making. Everyone is invited to bring their forges and work. Harold has a spacious shop and location so we expect a perfect Spring Day at the Forge. Notes and photos are provided below. |
 |
 |
 |
"I will demo the construction of a three piece fireplace set, (Poker, shovel, broom, and stand), including the tying of a double turkey wing broom. The handles will be a simple twist type. This involves forge welding the loop for the handle and then twisting the closed loop to form the handle and the hanging loop. These are one of the simplest sets to build but the finished product looks more involved than it really is.
The only picture I have to date is a four piece set but due to time will only build the three peice set. I will be happy to provide the description of the log dog for those who may wish to add this piece to a set they want to build. This set is quite marketable it is the type I leave on consignment at shops as it does not take much space and demonstrates your workmanship.
Left with a small portfolio I have used this to develope markets through shops specializing in interior design products. I will discuss while demoing how I use this item to develope a marketing outlet. I will also discuss how this design can be customized by adding different handles and stand variations to address various customer requirements."
Rob was a featured demonstrator at our January Knifemaking Workshop and you may want to revisit that web page with photos.
When & Where :
Saturday, March 19 :
The schedule looks like this :
- 9:00 am : Sign in and setup
- 9:30 am : HABA Meeting and Announcements
- 10:00 am : Begin Demo
- 12:00 pm : Lunch break
- 12:30 pm : Continue everyone forging
- 5:00 pm : Conclude and clean up
Where :
Harold Borup’s shop at 28511 FM 2004 between Angleton and Lake Jackson, TX
NOTE: RSVP REQUIRED IF YOU PLAN TO STAY FOR LUNCH
If you are coming to the meeting and plan to stay for lunch, please RSVP to Dave Koenig. Harold will fix us up with BBQ and the trimmings but he has to have some idea of how many people will be staying for lunch.
RSVP by contacting Dave by e-mail at: tudorforge@sbcglobal.net or leave a message at 281-855-2869.
Directions to Borup Forge
From Beltway 8 and 288, go south on 288.
You will have two options:
A. Exit on Business 288 and go to highway 523.
- Go left on 523 until you come to FM 2004.
- Go left on 2004 for about a mile and a half. Look for a yellow covered wagon and a yellow house with a big building out back on the south side of the road. If you go by a drag strip you went too far.
- Cross highway 523 and look for a yellow covered wagon and a yellow house with a big building out back on the south side of the road. If you go by a drag strip you went too far.
- From I45 south, take the FM 2004 exit at the dog track. You will go around the back side of the track. Cross highway 6 and continue going west. It is about 25 minutes from I 45 to the shop. Keep an eye out for a drag strip and a Mission Oil company loading rack. Look for a yellow covered wagon and a yellow house with a big building out back on the south side of the road.
If you get turned around, please call this number: 281-799-3216.
What to Bring
Bring safety glasses with side shields. This is a requirement!
Bring your forge and tools if you have them. This workshop will not require one though.
Bring a chair to sit in.
Gloves and hearing protection are highly recommended.
HABA will provide water, soda.
Do not forget about lunch. Pack a lunch or decide to have lunch at one of the many restaurants in the immediate area.
NOTE: Membership renewal begins January 1, 2005. The membership dues are still $20.00.
You do not have to be a member to attend our meetings! Bring a Guest!
Bring your Membership Dues if you want to work at a forge and are not a current Member !
Minors are welcome but must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
About the demo....
Dave Koenig provided this summary and photos. Thanks Dave!
HABA had a total of 14 members and guests at the March meeting. Jerry Baker came over from Lafayette, LA to assist Rob Kirby with the demonstration of making a complete fireplace set.
The highlight of the day was forge welding. Rob and Jerry forge welded braded handles to the poker, shovel, log tong and broom shafts. They made it look pretty effortless as they welded at a heat which seemed to be too cold.
One of the reasons the welding went so well was because they stopped several times to rebuild the fire. The coal we were using seemed to create a lot of ash and that old whirlwind fire pot needed some getting used to.
Rob also showed us how to make a very functional log tong using half inch square bar with a braded handle riveted between a 'U' shaped piece of quarter by half inch flat bar. The flat bar handle incorporated a one inch ball bearing which was trapped and turned freely in the 'U'.
Towards late afternoon and with darkening clouds, Rob demonstrated how to tie a double sided goose wing broom. He sure made it look easy!
While this was going on, Viki Kirby was making a BBQ fork. She forge welded a loop at the end of a one quarter inch rod, split it and drew out the fork tines.
HABA's fantastic host for the March meeting was Harold Borup. Harold purchased this property a few years ago primarily for office space and it came with a large metal building. A portion of of this building is slowly being transformed into smithy. It is already has all the conveniences of home including a kitchen.
It is most obvious that Harold put a lot work into the place and that he likes to cook and entertain. HABA has never had it so good at one of its meetings. Harold prepared a pot of beans which could not have been better and topped that off with grilled sausage, tortillas, chips and other fixins.
Harold's place is between Angleton and Lake Jackson. It is farther south than any other meeting HABA has had on that side of town but it is easy to get to from I 45 and hwy 288. From NW Houston, highways 6 and 290, it took an hour and a half. That's not bad!
Harold is looking forward to having us back next year. The next time you see a meeting scheduled for the Lake Jackson area, decide to drive a few miles farther. You will not regret it.
A Big HABA Thanks goes to Harold Borup for providing more hospitality, food and space than most of us are accustom to.
A Big HABA Thanks too, goes to Rob Kirby and Jerry Baker for a great welding/broom tying demonstration.
The March meeting was a good one!
Here are some photos from Dave...
 Clint_Jones-Green_Man.jpg |
 Fred-Rob-and-Viki.jpg |
 Getting_Started.jpg |
 Harold_Borup_and_trailer.jpg |
 Howard_and_Jones_Bros.jpg |
 Jerry_Baker_Welding.jpg |
 Rea_Comfort.jpg |
 Rob_and_Jerry.jpg |
 Rob_and_Viki.jpg |
 shop_dogs.jpg |
 Sit'n_round_a_table.jpg |
 Watching_in_comfort.jpg |
 Working.jpg |
Notes about this Website This website is Under Development and will continue to evolve for HABA Members.
The use any of the material from this site is at your own risk. All persons associated with this material disclaim any responsibility or liability for damages or injuries resulting from the use or application of this information. They assume no responsibility or liability for the accuracy, fitness, proper design, safety or safe use of any information presented here.
Please send all feedback/correction/omission/suggestions to your webmaster, Richard Boswell .
Enjoy!
http://www.habairon.org
http://www.habairon.com
Last updates were on March 27, 2005
© Copyright 2004, 2005 by HABA.
All rights reserved.