May 2008 HABA Houston Area Blacksmith's Association

Houston
Area
Blacksmith's
Association

7418 Branch Point
Houston, TX 77095-2649

Check out the Top 50 Blacksmithing sites!

On Line
Resources

ABANA
ABANA Demonstrator Guideline

North Texas
Blacksmiths Association

Balcones Forge

Louisiana Metalsmiths
Association

Maps

To Preserve and Promote the Art and Craft of Blacksmithing Through Education.

Welcome to HABAIRON.ORG, the website of the Houston Area Blacksmith's Association, the Internet resource of choice for the blacksmith in and around Houston, Texas. We have the technology!

May 10, 2008

Stainless Steel Projects

with
Guido Schindler
at Tudor Forge
This is going to be a real treat for all the HABA members. The program is not fully developed yet and more news will be posted soon. This will be hosted by Dave Koenig at his Tudor Forge in Magnolia.

Long time HABA Member Guido Schindler is going to do something in stainless steel. The forging and finishing of SS will be part of it.

Guido will describe the 'apprentice to master' metals training program he received in Switzerland and describe the focus of his metals business here in Houston. His demo will feature forging stainless steel. The first demo piece is a simple taper on a rod. During this process the emphasis is on identifying the forging window, clean-up and finishing processes of stainless steel.

The second demo piece is a carbriole chair or table leg form (the leg curves out at the knee and inwards towards the foot, tapering towards the bottom) using a jig and mild steel.

He will discuss the pros and cons of forming steel at ambient temperature, for example twisting and forging. He will conclude with a demo on basic filing techniques (he thinks in terms of oC rather than oF so see conversion charts in links below).

Guido will field questions on a wide variety of metal working subjects, and coach those who are forging a piece of stainless for the first time.

Members should bring their own tongs to use with small bar and sheet stock. Guido will bring small pieces of stainless drops for people to try.

There will be a Show-N-Tell table for things you have made, recently acquired tools and anything else related to the craft.

About our featured Demonstrator....

Guido Schindler holds a Masters Degree in Metal Fabrication from Switzerland. He uses blacksmithing techniques in is work with Mild Steel, Stainless Steel and Aluminum.

Accepted into a Swiss trade school for metalworking at the age of 16 he was required to start with the basics and learn blacksmithing – unfortunately this is no longer a requirement. While working in the old Zurich center restoring aging ornamental ironwork his specialty became repairing and re-fabricating antique locks. During his trade school years he was apprenticed to a variety of blacksmith, steel and aluminum fabrication shops extensively expanding his fabrication experience.

After graduating and earning his professional license he went on to earn his Masters in Metal Working while working for one of the top Swiss companies in security construction where in turn he became responsible for teaching and supervising new apprentices.

For more information on the world wide web.....maybe more than you wanted to know.....

Schindler Metal Works

When & Where :

Saturday, May 10 :

The schedule looks like this for Saturday morning:

8:00 am : Sign in and setup
8:30 am : HABA Meeting and Announcements
9:00 am : Begin Demo
11:00 am : Begin Workshop
12 pm : Break for Lunch
1 pm : Continue Workshop
5 pm : Conclude and clean up

Where :

Dave Koenig's Tudor Forge in Magnolia, Texas

Directions to Tudor Forge

From Houston:

Take 249 NW from Houston. Travel through the towns of Tomball, Decker Prairie and Pinehurst. At Pinehurst 249 changes to 1774. Stay on 1774. About three miles ahead on 1774 look for a Shell station on the west side of the road. One half mile past the Shell station, turn left or west on Tudor Way. There is a small white realtor office on the corner. You will find the forge about a mile down the road on the left.

Or if you are coming from Magnolia:

From the intersection of 1488 and 1774 in Magnolia, go south on 1774 about 4 miles. Look for Tudor Way just after the Country Jamboree building. Turn right and follow the signs. If you see the Shell station you went too far.

PLEASE NOTE: As is the custom at most workshops, sharing tools is common.

Please remember to do a couple of things if you borrow a tool. One, remember from whom you borrowed a tool and make sure you return it by telling that person you are returning it. Two, make sure you look over your tools before you depart to make sure you have only what you came with...nothing missing and nothing extra. It takes more effort to return or find a tool than to double check before leaving the meeting!

What to Bring

Bring safety glasses with side shields. This is a requirement!

Bring your forges and tools. A number of forges will be available.

Plan to bring a lunch or eat at a local restaurant.

Bring a chair to sit in.

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.

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!