Only when BLACK LIVES MATTER will all lives matter
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If you'd rather, you can reach us directly by phone: Mike - 617 230 9572 or Carl - 781 608 0900
Yup, we're doing what we can to reopen safely click here to see more.
So... reopening...
The Omicron variant seems to be fading,
but BA-5 seems to be running rampant,
so I'm still a bit skittish as far as in-the-smithy classes.
If you can form up a group,
all vaxxed, boosted, and who will take rapid tests just before class,
call and we can try to work out a date for an indoor class.
Scheduling has been on an ad hoc basis.
If you want to have a class of any sort, call me at 781 81 oxide after 10am and if it's possible, we'll work something out.
Outdoor Classes
In-Person outdoor classes using our portable gear at our place in Waltham
Forge to Go
In-Person outdoor classes with -our- equipment at your place
Smith to Go
Our smith comes to you and consults with you about your set-up, your equipment, your project, and your process.
Private Indoor Classes
In-Person door classes for pre-organized groups, vaxxed and rapid-tested that day, using the stationary gear at our smithy in Waltham
Demo to Go
Outdoor demonstrations for your conventional, homeschool, and unschool classes, or fairs and festivals
Vaccinations and appropriate boosters required for all but OnlineClasses. Negotiable for demos.
A Note for June 2022:
Carl, our main instructor, is recovering from (highly successful) abdominal surgery
and is prohibited from doing "anything strenuous" until mid June,
by which they mean lifting anything over 15#. And it was suggested that
moving anvils ought wait until at least July.
So... Carl is not scheduling classes in June,
and is waiting until mid-June to start scheduling classes for July onward.
We may manage to schedule classes with our other instructors,
have a peek at our calendar.
If you have your own smithing setup and you can Zoom from there* we can talk about an actual online class.
I've put up a video at: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ioNFA9kRWQo
that should give a sense of the possibilities.
*I used to think that wifi was necessary, but it turns out that even my ancient Galaxy S5 phone can do it with just a decent cell connection.
We -require- a negative, recent, rapid covid test from as shortly before the class as you can manage.
And really strongly suggest and request you be fully vaccinated (up to the bi-valent), to protect yourself, and thus others.
Masking during class is an option.
Anyone in the group can ask that we all mask.
Be prepared for this to happen.
Prospect
Hill Forge is a teaching smithy located in Waltham, Massachusetts.
We offer:
Classes in Traditional Blacksmithing
Focused on technique, theory, efficiency, and æsthetics
Scheduled on afternoons, weeknights, and weekends
Tailored to fit students' needs
Student:Teacher ratio of 8:1 or better (4:1 in advanced classes)
Have a look at the column to the right, or go to the calendar.
Click on a class name (or picture) and another window will open.
Scroll down until you find a date and time you like,
Click the "Click Here..." link,
Follow the instructions when you get there.
Note: ALL CLASSES ARE TAUGHT AT OUR WALTHAM LOCATION(s)... or Online... or at your place (our Forge-to-Go classes)
Feel free to visit us on Facebook. You don't have to log in to Facebook to see what we have to show, but if you are logged in, feel free to 'Like' us while you're there.
RSS feeds for classes and events
To help you find out when the class you've been waiting for gets scheduled on our calendar, we've created RSS feeds for each class, and one for all our events and activites (classes, open houses, demos...). (What is RSS, why do I care, and how do I use it?)
Click here to subscribe
to the RSS feed for
All PHF Events
(Our RSS feeds update
a few minutes after midnight
every night.)
for Wednesday Evening Zoom Meeting and Demonstration info, click here
I'll be doing some sort of live smithing demonstration starting soon after 8pm.
Usually something fairly quick... 30 - 60 minutes,
and after that I'll be answering questions and being social and catching up.
Meeting ID: 832 7904 4035
Passcode: 234234234
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83279044035?pwd=UGsyUnNmVWZVWEJNRDV2bk9jek91dz09 Click Here to find info for phoning-in
These are the next few classes for beginners, and events of interest. Click the class name for more information. Or view our Full Calendar to see everything we have scheduled. A Taste of Blacksmithing A single-session introductory class - $85
Weekly on Mondays, June 5 to June 26 6:30pm to 9:30pm
(2023)
Firesteel (aka Fire Striker) In this class we will make a fire-steel from high-carbon steel and learn to use ... - $140
Monday, May 22 6:30pm to 10:30pm
(2023)
... and 1 more is on the calendar.
Nothing but Knives We make a practice knife (letter-opener) and a knife. Annealed, hardened, and differentially tempered. - $375
Weekly on Fridays, April 21 to May 5 7:00pm to 10:00pm
(2023)
... and 1 more is on the calendar.
A video by and of Mark Oribello, one of our advanced students and Open Smithy monitors:
We also have a Youtube channel with (as of 20221217) six videos, and more to come.
Facemasks & Sourdough
There's been a lot of interest in these lately, here's my page about my design for a mask more suited to the bearded face,
(which does also work on un-bearded faces, the beard is not required for proper functioning)
And if you're making pleated rectangular masks, here's a design for a simple-to-make (cardboard and tape) pleating tool that just might speed you up.
and my No-Waste Procedure for maintaining and using a sourdough starter.
- On the South side of Guinan Street, toward the Eastern end - Waltham - Massachusetts - - P.O.Box 541372 - 02454 - 781 816 9433 (781 81 oxide)
-- Directions --
