FEBRUARY, 1991

CONTRIBUTORS:

Walt ~ndersgn . Carl Austin Norma Austin Steve Bloom Mary Brandenburg Pete Brandenburg Jim Croft

Wendy Jenkins-Doupe Sarah McMurray

Charles Ochs Skeeter Prather

Clay Spencer Yaroslav Valek

The Florlda CLINKER BREAKER

Florida Artist Blacksmith Association-Chapter of ABANA, Inc. Established May 18, 1985 Treasury: $7400.30 Membership: 199

A Spanish Puzzle Steve Bloom

Some time ago, a friend who is a professional archeologist, show me an example of ironwork dating from the early Spanish missions in Florida. The object was a tapering spike with the broad end subdivided into three parts. One part was slightly tapered and curled back over the spike. The other two parts were spread approximately 120 degrees apart, recurved towards the pointed end of the spike and were fluke-like. The overall length of the object was approximately 9" (with other examples ranging from G to 9" long) and it could have been forged from 112" square stock. These spikes are relatively rare and are typically found associated with wall timbers in rooms (they are usually recovered on or near the charred remains of wall timbers). That is about all that is known about them. Now ... how where they made, were they a spike, and 8 what was their actual function? Next month, I'll tell you what I think, but meanwhile think about it.

The Florida Clinker Breaker, February, 1991

FLORIDA ARTIST BLACKSMITH ASSOCIATION - Chapter of ABANA, Inc. P.O. Box 1601, Zolfo Springs, FL 33890

President (90-91): Lewis Riggleman P.O. Box 247, San Antonio, FL 33576 I h l (904) 521-3515 I w l (813) 937-4281 Vice-President (91-92): J.C. Hawkins, 15534 NW 160 Avenue, Morriston, FL 3 2 d 8 [hl (904) 528-33i8 Sec./Treas. (90-91): Norma & Carl Aust in P.O. Box 1601, Zol fo Springs FL 33890 I h l (813) 735-0257 Newsletter Ed. (91-92): Pete Brandenburg, 259 Granada Rd., West Palm each FL 3340! [hl (407) 833-2708 I w l 640-0445 Program Chair (90-91): Steve Kalb 691 Astarias Ci rc le , Fort Myers, FL 33619, I h l (813) 481-8420, I w l (813) 489-1620 Past-President (90-91): W i 1 l a r d ~ m ( t h , Route 1 Box 138, Blountstown, FL 32424, I h l (904) 674-8055, I w l (904) 877-7117 Board Mernb. # I (90-91):CLyde Payton, Route 3 Box 124D, Monticello, FL 32344 [hl (904) 997-3627 I w l (904) 488-0577 Board Memb. #2 (91-92): Pat Imbjmbo, 2450-Kimberly Lane, Tal !ahassee FL 32361, I h l (904) 656-3454 Board Memb. #3 (90-91): Joe Farina, 374 River Edge Road Jupi ter ~ ~ ' 3 3 4 7 7 , I h l (407) 744-8323 Board Memb. #4 (91-92): Tico Rubio, PO Box 83, ~ a r b e r v i I l e , FL 32105, (904) 7 4 9 - 3 3 2 7 ~ Board Memb. #5 (90-91):Vacant

UPCOMING MEETINGS The regions have no boundaries-everyone i s welcome everywhere. Come t o more than one i f you can. We h o l d regular monthly meetings i n each region (except tha t we a l l t r y t o get together a t one Statewide Meeting quar te r l y ) on the f o l - lowing Saturdays o f each month: NE-lst, NU-Znd, SE-3rd, & SW-last. The actual dates may vary from month t o month- check the schedule below. We atso h o l d short board meetings a t the quarter!y statewide meetings, and a board meeting and general membership meeting a t the annual conference. Our meetings are informal gatherings around the forge. Pros c t i v e members are always welcome, o f course! Come f o r a1 1 o r any par t o f a meeting. Br ing your tools, o r j u s t w a t c r Most meetings run from 9 am t o 4 pm, and youlLL need Lunch i f you stay a l l day, unless otherwise noted.

Jan. 26, 10 am: Feb. 2, 9 am:

Feb. 2:

Feb. 9, 9 am:

Feb. 16-18:

9eb. 16, 9 am: Feb. 23, 10 am: March 2, 9 am:

March 16, 9 am: March 30, 10 am: April 20, 9 am: April :

May 4, 9 am:

May 17-18:

July 27, 10 am: Oct. 11-12:

Southwest region, Crowley Museum, Sarasota. Northeast region, Jim & Gloria Corbett's shop, Umatilla. See article on page 14. Deadline for getting something in next month's newsletter (four weeks before the first Saturday of the month). Northwest region, Talahassee Junior Museum, Tallahassee. This will be an informal hammer-in to make needed items for the museum. Lewis Riggleman's three-day blacksmithing class, San Antonio, Florida (near Tampa). The class is for beginners and intermediate levels of experience. The class is full, but contact Lewis Rig- gleman at P.O. Box 247, San Antonio, FL 33576 or call him at home, (904) 521-3515, after 5:00 pm to get on the waiting list. Southeast region, Bob Ringer's shop, Fort Lauderdale. Southwest region, ~ r o w l e ~ ~ ~ u s e u m , ~arasota . Northeast region, J. C. & Eleanor Hawins' shop, Morriston (note change from previously announced date). Southeast region, Bob Ringer's shop, Fort Lauderdale. Southwest region, Crowley Museum, Sarasota. Quarterly Statewide Meeting, Bob Ringer's shop, Fort Lauderdale. Fred Caylor's week-long Spring blacksmith class, Ocala area. Con- tact Fred Caylor for details: 3602 S. 800 E., Zionsville, IN 46077, home (317) 769-6351, shop (317) 769-6537. Northeast region, Steve & Kimmy Bloom's shop, Archer. Blacksmith Jaroslav Valek will be visiting from Czechoslovakia. See article on pages 10-11. Southeastern Regional Blacksmiths Conference, Madison Lion's Club Fairgrounds, Madison, Georgia. The Blacksmiths Conference at Madi- son is held every other year, alternating with the biennial ABANA Conference. It is sponsored by the Alabama Forge Council, the Appalachian Area Chapter of ABANA, the Florida Artist Blacksmith Association, the North Carolina Chapter of ABANA, and the Tullie Smith House Blacksmith Guild. For more information, contact Conference Chairman, Mike Shaffer, at 4600-D East Ponce de Leon, Clarkston, GA 30021. Quarterly Statewide Meeting, Crowley Museum, Sarasota. FABA Annual Conference, Pioneer Settlement, Barberville.

The f lor lda Artlst ~ Iacksmlth Assoclatlm - Chapter of Art lst Blackwlth Assoclatlon of North Amerlcm Inc (fABA) I s a mn-prot i t & a t i a u l organlzatim uhoar prrposn are to teach prolnte and preserve the a r t of blackmithing FABA i s a state cha ter of the Artist Bl&krniih Association of North America Inc. (ABANA). & Florida Clinker r sker I s p b l i s k m t h l y , and annual subscripticn is'lncluded with FABA A r s h i p . Ye sol ic i t corretpdence and - id ar t ic les oneany subjects related-A s p r - - Send to. 1532 Old Okecchobee load 1103 West Palm Bexh FL 55409 Informtion received by the t t r s t Saturday of the mmth can be Included i n the m x t nmthas=

%%wrighted.nuterisl m y be reprinted i n AL~ANA chapter msiet ! r rs , p;ovidd i t i s credited to the author and to this newsletter. The author's permission i s required t o reprint copyrighted ~ t e r i a l -less otherwise not-e'll put ycu ~n t-h.

The Florida Clinker Breaker, February, 1991

HOW TO FIND THE FEBRUARY. 1991. MEETINGS

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Feb. 9, 9 am Feb. 2, 9 am NORTIIWEST REGION NORTIIEAST REGION

Jim Lollis (904) 576-2531 Jim & Gloria Corbetls shop Tallahassee Junior Museum (904) 589-8367

3945 Museum Drive 16035 Umatilla Place Tallahassee Umatilla

S W L I S E BLVD.

Feb. 23, 10 am Feb. 16, 9 am SOUTHWEST REGION SOUTHEAST REGION

Dale Kipp (813) 747-6743 Old Dixie Welding

Bob Ringer (305) 772-3802 Crowley Museum (813) 322-1000 16404 Myakka Road, Sarasota 792 NE 45 St., Fort Lauderdale

The F l o r i d a C l i n k e r Breaker , February, 1991 5 6 5 6 Old H i c k o r y Lane

T a l l a h a s s e e , F l o r i d a 3 2 3 0 3

December 1 2 , 1990

E d i t o r The F l o r i d a C l i n k e r B r e a k e r F l o r i d a A r t i s t B l a c k s m i t h A s s o c i a t i o n 1 5 3 2 Old Okeechobee Road # l o 3 West Palm Beach , FL 33409-5226

Dear Mr. B r a n d e n b e r g :

I w i s h t o e x p r e s s my t h a n k s t o two of o u r members, J i m L o l l i s a n d S k e e t e r P r a t h e r , f o r t h e i r h e l p w i t h my s i x t h g r a d e A l t e r n a t i v e E d u c a t i o n c l ass f rom F a i r v i e w M i d d l e S c h o o l i n T a l l a h a s s e e .

D u r i n g l a t e November a n d e a r l y December, t h e y c o n d u c t e d t h r e e c l a s s e s i n b a s i c b l a c k - s m i t h i n g f o r t h e s e s t u d e n t s a t t h e f o r g e of t h e T a l l a h a s s e e J u n i o r Museum, where J i m works , a n d S k e e t e r is a f r e q u e n t v o l u n t e e r . T h i s e x p e r i e n c e meant a l o t for a l l of my s t u d e n t s , many of whom h a v e had l i t t l e o r no s u c c e s s i n s c h o o l b e f o r e . Some who had n e v e r had a t o o l i n t h e i r h a n d s i n t h e i r whole l i v e s were a c t u a l l y making s o m e t h i n g t o t a k e home t o show when Mom a s k e d "What d i d you d o i n s c h o o l t o d a y ? " I h a v e n e v e r s e e n t h i s g r o u p show s u c h e n t h u s i a s m as t h e y d i d f o r t h e s e c l a s s e s .

P r o j e c t s i n c l u d e d o y s t e r k n i v e s made f rom o l d r a i l r o a d s p i k e s ; f i r e p l a c e p o k e r s ; w a l l hooks ; n a i l p u l l e r s ; wood c a r v i n g t o o l s ; a n d more t h a n one o b j e c t o f a b s t r a c t a r t . With t h r e e , a n d o c c a s i o n a l l y f o u r f o r g e s g o i n g , a n d t e n o r a d o z e n s t u d e n t s b u s y a t t h e i r work, t h e r e was a l o t o f a c t i v i t y f o r v i s i t o r s a t t h e

\ museum t o s e e !

The s t u d e n t s were r e m a r k a b l e f o r b o t h t h e i m a g i n a t i o n t h e y showed i n t h e i r p r o j e c t s a n d t h e s p e e d w i t h which t h e y l e a r n e d b a s i c b l a c k s m i t h i n g s k i l l s . Many of t h e i t e m s were w o r t h y of a b l a c k s m i t h w i t h f a r more t h a n two d a y s of e x p e r i e n c e !

Dur ing t h c f i r s t s e s s i o n , t h e c l a s s b r o k e i n t o two g r o u p s , a l t e r n a t e l y w o r k i n g i n t h e b l a c k s m i t h s h o p , a n d p r e p a r i n g a r e a l f e a s t f o r u s i n t h e k i t c h e n a t 1 8 9 0 ' s Farm on t h e g r o u n d s of t h e T a l l a h a s s e e J u n i o r Museum, where t h e y cooked b o t h i n t h e f l r e p l a c e a ~ l d or) Lhe o l d wood-burn ing r a n g e . D u r i n g s u b s e q u e n t s e s s i o n s , e a c h h a l f o f t h e c l a s s had a s e c o n d c h a n c e a t t h e f o r g e . J i m a n d S k e e t e r , we c a n ' t t h a n k you enough f o r your e x p e r t i s e , good humor, a n d g e n e r o s i t y w i t h your t i m e !

Thanks a l s o t o t h e T a l l a h a s s e e J u n i o r Museum f o r p r o v i d i n g a f i r s t - c l ~ s s f a c i l i t y f o r p e o p l e i n t h e a r e a , and e s p e c i a l l y s c h o o l c h i l d r e n , t o e x p e r i e n c e " l i v i n g h i s t o r y " by n o t j u s t w a t c h i n g , b u t by d o i n q t h i n g s most y o u n g s t e r s o n l y r e a d a b o u t o r h e a r of f rom Grandpa o r Grandma.

The Florida Clinker Breaker, February, 1991

THE MAKING OF A DRAGON HEAD @ 1988, Dan Boone. Reprinted with permission.

From a brochure by Dan Boone, taken from a reprint in the Upper Midwest Blacksmith

To make t h i s d r a g o n , u s e a p i e c o o f I - i n c h -

s q u a r e a b o u t 12 t o 1 4 i n c h e s l o n g . A l o n g e r p i e c e g e t s v e r y heavy and r e q u i r e s a l o t more t i m e c o o l i n g t h e end t h e n a s h o r t e r p i e c e h e l d w i t h v i s e g r i p s . The v i c e g r i p s c a n b e removed nnd c o o l e d i n s e c o n d s .

F i r s t , make n o t c h e s o n two c o r n e r s , a p p r o x i - ma te ly 3 - i n c h e s f r o m end. T h i s fo rms a l e d g e f o r your c h i s e l .

Using a s h a r p , t a p e r e d c h i s e l , c u t t h o e a r s . T r y t o c u t a t a g r a d u a l t a p e r , h a v i n g more m e t a l a t bo t tom f o r , s t r e n g t h . You s h o u l d b e a b l e t o c u t b o t h w i t h o n e h e a t , c u t them 4-5 i n c h e s l o n g .

Bend e a r s s t r a i g h t o u t ( 3 ) from b a r and hammer t o

Association newsletter.

I r i c l ~ p u r ~ c l ~ . f l n l s h w i t h a b o u t a 314- inch punch. .

Rcllcnt and s e t e y e s . u s i n g h ~ l l o w c d o u t punch a b o u t 112- inch A t t h i s p o i n t you c a n p l a y , making him l o o k l e f t ' , r i g h t o r c r o s s - ( 5 ) e y e d .

T a p e r n o s e dovn to a b o u t 1 1 4 - l n c h f rom ( 6 ) s i d e s o n l y ,

2 7 Y*

Notch f o r n o s e ,aboul 318- inch s t r a i g h t a c r o s s t o p .

U s i n g y o u r S q u a r e l i t t l e

n o s e b e f o r e d e s i r e d s h a p e on a n v i l . punch ing n o s t r i l s . Then l a y back t o o r i g i - n a l p o s i t i o n . To k e e p f rom b u r n i n g t r y t o kcep e a r s t u r n e d up v h i l e f o r m i n g r e s t o f head .

Punch n o s t r i l s . u s i n g 114 o r 3 1 8 - i n c h round punch. A f t e r punching d r i v e o u t on s i d e s and t o p f o r b c t t c r sl,ape.

To n o t c h f o r ayo. a g a i n Try t o hoop s i d e 9 on c o r n e r o f To n o t c h e v e n . - f o r e y e . a g a i n on c o r n e r o f I - i n c h s t o c k o f f s e t nbou t 1 1 2 - i n c h

f( d e c p , 314- inch f rom e a r . . Even u p w i t h . a 7.4 s q u a r e punch b e f o r e p u n c l ~ l n g eye .

5

The Florida Clinker Breaker. February. 199 1

Use I10ld-dow11 C-clamp (10) for doing top fuller-

ing. weld about I - incll o f 318 rod to clamp to catch in PricheC hole of your anvi 1.

Using same chisel you Using about a 112- used o n ears, cut inch fuller, fuller mouth, standing up in out sharp edge of vise. If you gct it mouth. This will also hot enough it can be open it up wide. done in one heat (be

careful not to drive eyes into vise).

( 1 3 ) Draw out end of nose to your preferred shape, beIng careful

to hit nostrils.

Reheat very careful- ly. and cut teeth pr ( 1 4 )

fangs with a small, very sharp ct~isci.

I Next step is to center punch and drill 114- inch hole from inside mouth to underside of a neck. be careful not to drill into eyeball sockets.

lhmner out tongue and U I C weld QI I bottom q l t l c - o f h~ncl. Hnkp 11 1IklY l~ll~tll YOtI ~ C S ire.

TOOLS NEEDED The punches and fullers belov are drawn in the actual size YOU will need them for maklng tho dragon head.

Cutting Chisels

Scrolling Tongs

-- Visa

Grips ground to hold 1-inch square tight

4 or 6-inch "C" clamp wlth 318-inch uelded to it to hold in Prichet hole of your anvil

If you follow the steps outlined in this booklet you will be able to create creatures similar to those il- e lustrated. Remember, no two are I

exactly alike. Experiment! ! ! You are llmlted only by your own imagination. )lave fun bringing t h e ~ e creatures to lllc, 53 1 t1avc.

T h e F l o r i d a C l i n k e r B r e a k e r , February, 1991

Award-winning blacksmith Jerry Grice has done everything .from equipment repairs to sculptures By Dorothy Clifford awaid. "Over the years we've been able to recom- ~ a ~ c n ~ ~ ~ n n r mend him aria hi work t o many friends, and

they've been as pleased as we am' she says. When Mabel and J.E Peavy were unable to find . The blacksmiLh has done everything from re

a large enough cage for their beautiful blue and pairing farm equipment to designing Piney-2's utili- gold macaw. Jose, they appealed to blacksmith tarian black-iron entrance gate and the delicate Jerry Grice for help. rosepatterned window grilles. Grice's copper wa-

Grice's birdcage design won the Tallahassee ter-lily fountain-sculpture is displayed on a pedestal welder a top award in the 1983 National Ornamen- in the foyer. ta t & Miscel laneous Meta l s Associat ion ."It's l ~ k e old-New Orleans," Dansby says of

Grice's wrought iron. "It's clean. not werdone." An artisan wilh hand-forged metals. Ibyear+ld she says of his sculpture.

Grice specializes in custom jobs. He's won 17 Centuries ago. fine. handcraned ornamental awards in all lrom the 600-member national metal work was commissioned only by kings and

the very rich. Today. the beauty of ironwork mm- Last year. the Chamber of Commerce recog- plemenu many homes and commercial buildings

nized his 2Dycar-old business. Jerry Grice Welding throughout the Big Bend. Itlc.. ns tllc cily's nulslu~~cling srl~ull businm~ in llle Since much of Gricc's work Is cuslom and hand- professional-services category. forged, it doan't come cheap, he says. For exam

Interior designer Clay Sechrest calls Grice "a ple, garden gates can start a t $350 and go up to dedicated, working man wilh wonderfully unique U.W. Driveway gates with automatic openen and

inlercom systems start a t S3,MX); one he built re

@ 1990, T a l l a h a s s e e Democrat. Reprinted with permission from an October 21, 1990, article by Dorothy Clifford.

The Florida Clinker Breaker, February, 199 1

Below: Jerry Grice did the iron- ed his wife's hand for this me- work for mis beaut~ful stairway at morial fountain in the memory Water W Plantation here in Tal- garden at Kiileam United Meth- lahassee. At right: Grice sculpt- odist Church.

GRICEI Richard Quinnell. Britain's top features Jerry's metal furniture gether on that one." Grice recalls. blacksmith, selected one of his and a n pieces as well,= work of "Carl worked right along w ~ t h me." sculptures at last year's NOMMA other artists. Since. Grice has worked wlth

His ironwork is conference. "He asked what I Keith, who started welding as a Secrest and other designen and

all over Florida wanted for ic" says Grice. "I told 7-year-old, now is a fireman in bu~lders on both contemporary and him one of his pieces. I hope I'll get Palm Beach. traditional stairways. He did the

and Georgia it in New Orleans in.Xarch." -- "He'Jl.want to come back in the back-porch railing for Florida The Tallahassee blacksmith businen some day," his father says State Seminoles Coach Bobby Bow-

From I F has made ironwork for clients all with a smlle. "This iron gets in den's home in Killearn. Hefecent- over Florida, Wpia and as far your blood." ly completed black spiral s tain

bout SO percent of his busi- &j7&-cafiafitbmla ; The older Grice started weld- with a lighthouse-and-pelican motif nea. Gnce says, is ornamental Since June, he's been working ing in 1966 when he was working for a Shell Polnt beach h o w . The ironwork 10 percent is security on more than 100 pieces for an for Piper Air Craft Four years and 2-foot golden eagle on the Golden ironwork and 10 percent mlscella Italian villa in S t Petersburg that a couple of other jobs later, he bor- Eagle Country Club's entrance neous items such as tables, lamps lwo physicians =.spending more rowed ;500 and opened his own gate is Grice's. He sculpted his and sculpture. thariJl-milli6i to restore.. Grice's ' business in a shop in the old Down- wife's hands lor a memorial loun-

"We're busier than we've ever part in the restoration will cost town Industrial Pa rk "1 paid t h e lain at Killearn United Method~st been." Grice says. The slowdown $70,000. He's redoing gold-leafed in- first month's rent bought a hand Church . in the building industry has not af- tenor gates a s well as r a i l ing~ saw and paint compressor." recalls Grice and six employees work fected his business. His member- chandeliers, wall sconces and. Grice. He had a "little bun box" on anywhere from 500 to 1.000 or- ship in the prestigious National Or- even, a 1929vintage marquee. lor welding and a torch. d e n annually. They execute their namental and Miscellaneous Born in Vero Beach. Grice His first job was 100 sign ancient craff with a few modem Metals Association, he says, pmba moved to T a l l a h a s e when he was frames for Advance Signs which 'innovations. in the 7 , ~ u a r e bly has helped him continue to 12 years old He d m p w out of no longer is in bus~ness. 'I burned foot complex that sprawls-over an grow. "Our reputation is growing. Lwn High tn join the Navy but out my quarter-inch drill." Grice .acre on Shelfer Road where Grice And thmugh NOMMA we learn earned the equivalent of a high- reminixes "Had to buy me a half-. owns 3% acres. He's added on to new techniques and new designs" schwl degree before his discharge inch dnll. and there went all my the building twice and is-planning

He's also a member and vice alter four years. In 1963 he mar- pmfiW" another addition in the near fume . president of the Rorida Art~sts As- ried Tycelia 7 c e e " Dalton of Tal- Soon. he was getting orders for The shop includes a :businen soc~ation of Blachmiths, which l a h a s e and Uley have two chil- ornamental railings and stairways office, showroom, work area with last week featured Williamsburg dren, Keith. 26, and Tonya, 2.3. from builders and architect% One three f o r g e a warehouse for stor- blackmith Peter Ross dunng a Tycee helps mn the business and of his first was an early home that ing patterns and Casting5 Plus an twoday conference near Ocala. Bonya manages The Metal Art bullder Cart Ferrell Sr. designed Ouaide paint shed and wd-cast-

Grice is proud of the fact that Shoppe on. Market Street, which for his own home. "We worked t e ing shed.

The Florida Clinker Breaker, February, 1991

Above: The ironwork in the fence around the Ravines subdi- vision in Tallah- was creat- ed by Jerry Grice. At left He also did $70.03 of restoration work on more than 1M) pi- of ironwork to this Italian v~lla that w a s bu i l t in 1929 in S t . Petenburg.

Mostly self-taught. Gr~ce at- tended a six-week course once In Atlanta He's learned his craft by trial and error. he says. reading everything he can find on the sub jectand picking Ihe brains of other experts.

"The creative part, that's what I like bes5" Grice admits. He's working more these days on fumi- t u ~ . tables and lamps. He spent 16 hours painstakingly forging each grape lor clusters that decorate a bar lamp made from a green wine battle.

And, after a lbhour day at his shop, he goes home and workon a new blacksmith shop lor thelr Wa- kulla County home. He's designing a 61wt metal chandelier with a hunt wene. He wants to make hinges lor all their cabinets.

"I love working with ~mn." he s a ) ~ with a smlle. 'This is my hob by as well as my work.".

T h e Florida Clinker Breaker, February, 1991

RECENT WORK OF JAROSLAV VALEK

Jaroslav Valek is a blacksmith in Czechoslovakia who sent in these photographs. We printed photos of some of his other work in the Febru- ary, 1990, newsletter. Also, the winter, 1990, issue of T h e Anvil's Ring has a letter and a photo of another of his pieces. Jaroslav will be coming to visit Steve and Kimrny Bloom in Archer, Florida, in May. He plans to be here for the May 4 northeast regional meeting the Bloom's are hosting at their shop. This should be quite a demonstration. Don't miss it. Later, he will be attending the South- eastern Regional Conference in Madison, Georgia (see page 2 for details), and visiting other American blacksmiths, and working in their shops. He is an ABANA member, and he's interested in corresponding with American blacksmiths. Drop him a line: Jaroslav Valek, Partyzanska 914, 69801 Veseli n/Mor, Czechoslovakia.

Detail of Bethlehem The Night with TV (figures ~ 2 5 cm) (30 cm)

10

The Florida Clinker Breaker, February, 1991

T h e Man w i t h a B a l l ( 4 0 cm)

The Tight Jackets (30 cm)

O n B e a c h (50 cm)

The Florida Clinker Breaker, February, 1991

UPSETTING TOOL Reprinted from an article by Clifton Ralph in the May, 1990, issue of The Forge Fire, newsletter of the Indiana Blacksmith Association.

A

One time my wife got me involved in making towel racks and toilet paper holders.

d I forged a tool to make raised veins In a leaf, shaped something like the one above. I used a 3/8" rod 32" long. The 3/18" round did not have enough volume to make the widest sections of the leaf. After upsetting the ends and drawing the point out on a couple of them as in Fig #2.

I thought, this is dumb, I am upsetting all of this and

tool as in Fig*3

diameter in the bottom, tapered out to 1/2" diameter, about 3/4" from the bottom and flared out on the inside edge of

- -

tapered the point more at the same time. After tapering the point a little more I could place it in the leaf tool and hammer it into shape with raised veins on the power hammer.

RIB 0rJ PIECE 1s ROUNDED OR

FOR

Eb W H E N FINIS)\ED

Clifton Ralph, ('and encouraged by his wife, Joar

The Florida Clinker Breaker, February, 1991

A TIP FROM DAN BOONE [From an article by Jim Wells in the May, 1990, newsletter of the Appalachian

Blacksmiths Association].

One of the many things Dan shared with me was the use of a ball bearing welded to a handle to prepare an area for placement of a nail or screw in a piece such as a plant hanger or towel rack. The marvel of this approach is that by amplifying the area rather than trying to deal with that awkward screw or nail head, the connecting device disappears and one's eye is pleased by the depression and lateral swelling produced in the piece.

CORRECTION: FLORIDA STATE FARRIERS ASSOCIATION

Last month's newsletter gave an outdated address. For information on joining the Florida State Farriers Association, contact Dan Lombard, Treasurer, at 4804 Blooming- dale Road, Valrico, FL 33594, (813) 684-6927.

BLACKSMITH NEEDED

The Arrowhead Camp for Boys and Girls is looking for a blacksmith to teach campers elementary forging techniques this coming summer. For more information, write to them at P. 0. Box 97, Tuxedo, NC 28784.

GAS FORGE ARTICLE

An excellent article on building a gas forge that is capable of heating a damas- cus billet to welding temperature was in the Nov/Dec 1990 issue of The Blade Magazine. Gas forge theory and the requirements to weld with a gas forge are presented clearly. To avoid gas leaks, use black iron pipe instead of the galvanized pipe recommended in the article. Galvanizing can plug pinholes. Subsequent flaking can produce a leak.

Subscriptions are $14.99 a year to The Blade Magazine, 2835 Hickory Valley Road, ,

Chattanooga, TN 37421. [From the Nov/Dec 1990 newsletter of the Blacksmith Guild of the Potomac.]

Skeeter Prather at last October's Annual Conference (Submitted by Steve Bloom)

The Florida Clinker Breaker, February, 1991

News from the NorthEast Steve Bloom

The December meeting convened at Barberville. Attendees included Walt Anderson, Steve & Kimmy Bloom, Ron Branner, Jim Corbet, Thurmond Chaffin, Bill Roberts, Tico & Maggie Rubio, P.J.Schrimsher, Roger Stuart, Ben Wiseman, Ken Whitney, and Ken & Sandra Wood. Show-and-tell consisted of a 32-plate Japanese helmet (my latest project) while Tico demonstrated general forging to several new members.

We held our traditional what-are-we-going-to-do-next-year discussion. There will be an informal meeting at Barberville in January and a participation meeting at Jim Corbet's shop in February (there will be a couple of forges available but bring your own if you can). Tico will sponsor the March meeting at Barberville and I'll be hosting the May meeting at my shop. Please note that due to the shift in deadlines, these reports will run a month late. So be sure to note the meeting at Jim's in February. Maggie Rubio has volunteered give me a hand with the write-ups.

NEWS FROM ABANA

ABANA Board member Ron Porter is gathering information for a directory of black- smith supplies. He is looking for names and addresses of suppliers of tools, coal, forges, books, rivets, and anything else blacksmiths might want to know about. Please help out by telling him about your favorite supplier. This list will be updated on a regular basis and available for all the chapters to use. Write to Ron Porter at RR 1, Box 64, Bunker Hill, IN 46914, or call him at (317) 689-8450.

The Anvil's Ring Committee "has not been able to come to a contractual agreement" 'with the current editor, A1 Anderson, for 1991, so the Committee will act as editor until they find a new one. Send any submissions for the Spring issue to the ABANA bffice, P. 0. Box 1181 Nashville, IN 47448.

ABANA pays all expenses, including plane tickets, for Board members to attend Board meetings. Because of the high cost of air travel (and extensive member criticism about the expense), the Board is looking at alternatives. They feel it is essential to have regular Board meetings, with all members present, but want to keep costs down.

Dorothy Stiegler, ABANA President

HOW D I D HE DO THAT?

The winter, 1991, issue of The Anvil's Ring showed pictures of Daryl Meier's American flag patterns in Damascus steel. A small sample piece that Daryl donated to the ABANA Conference auction in Alfred raised plenty of eyebrows and a thousand bucks in cash for ABANA. Daryl developed the flag pattern for a Damascus knife he made, which has thirteen sets of crossed American flags on the blade. The knife was three years in the making. Daryl's customer recently presented the knife to his friend, President George Bush, as a gift.

POWER HAMMER CLASSES

Clifton Ralph, the power hammer expert, is going to teach two classes, each five days, on using a power hammer and tools. The classes will be March 25-29, and April 1- 5, 1991. They will be held at Bill and Jane Manly's Mardav Huan, south of Kingston, IN. The cost will be $200 for five days. Bill's blacksmith shop is equipped with 100 lb. and 25 lb. Little Giant hammers, a treadle hammer, a Johnson and another gas forge, and two coal forges. He has a bunk house, complete with kitchen, baths, and big screen TV. Clifton can handle six in each class, first come, first served. For details, write to Clifton Ralph, 4041 West 47th Avenue, Gary, IN 46408, or call him at (219) 980-4437. [Submitted by Clay Spencer.]

The F l o r i d a C l i n k e r Breaker, February, 1991

NEWS ABOUT MEMBERS

Diane Riggleman and Mary Brandenburg are both scheduled to lead workshops at the upcoming annual conference of the Florida Tropical Weavers Guild (FTWG), to be held in Tampa in April. Diane will teach whisk broom making, and Mary will teach Seminole Indian basketry techniques. FTWG is a state-wide organization with over 300 members; there are more than a dozen local guilds throughout the state. For more information about the conference, write to FTWG President Ann Revels, 1520 Bahama Street, Titusville, 32780.

Virgil Mayo won $104,000 in the Florida Lottery's Fantasy Five game. The Florida Lottery publishes lists of winners, so if you think you get a lot of junk mail, you can imagine the fan mail Virgil will be getting from the world's worthy causes. Hang in there, Virgil. Postage rates are going up.

Charles Ochs, FABA member and Master Bladesmith, will be teaching a six-day course in Damascus bladesmithing next August at the American Bladesmith Society School in Texarkana. This is a well-deserved honor. Congratulations, Charles!

ADDRESS CHANGES AND CORRECTIONS

Correction: Gerald & Madonna Griffin, Twin City Mobile Home Park, 10636 Gandy Blvd., Lot 51, Saint Petersburg, FL 33702, (813) 576-5546. Change of address: Tico & Maggi Rubio, PO Box 83, Barberville, FL 32105, (904) 749- 3327.

A LETTER FROM A MEMBER

I'm writing this letter to relay my and my husband's feelings about the past meeting held in Barberville, FL, on October 12-13, 1990 (forgive me for my tardiness). I find it hard to choose words that can truly tell my feelings. The individuals who were giving demonstrations, or running the different workshops, couldn't have been more helpful or gracious. They were always willing to offer information or give actual demonstrations to answer any questions one might have. Believe me, with my being a novice, I had plenty of questions to ask.

I think the best part of the conference was when I was given the opportunity to - practice what I had seen. Watching Peter Ross use his wonderful talents to draw out the metals to his wishes, I began to feel an uncontrollable need to attempt the same . thing. Luckily for me, someone had the foresight to have forges, tools, and anvils just out the door for me. What began with wanting to "maybe tinker a bit" turned into a three hour session in wanton abandon. I totally enjoyed myself. I was even able to talk my "even more of a novice" husband into trying his hand. He also enjoyed himself thoroughly.

So to close I would like to tell everyone involved with the conference: Thank you for a wonderful time and congratulations on a job well done.

Sincerely, Wendy and Brad Doupe'

THE BOTTOM LINE

Treasurer Carl Austin reports the 1990 FABA Annual Conference last October netted $2,357.92. Carl will have a full report in the next newsletter.

1990 HOW-TO ARTICLE REPRINT BOOKLET-$2.25, POSTPAID

We have reprinted a year of FABA members' how-to articles from The Florida Clinker Breaker in a 24-page, 8%" by 11" booklet. The book- let contains members' how-to articles from the twelve issues of The Florida Clinker Breaker from November, 1989, through October, 1990. We're selling the booklets at FABA's printing and mailing cost of $2.25 per copy.

To order the booklet, make out a check or money order to "FABA" for $2.25 per copy, and send it to: Carl Austin, Treasurer, P. 0. Box 1601, Zolfo Springs, FL 33890.

Ronnie Fowler Steve Kalb Dale ICipp

Lewis Riggleman Willard Smith

, The Florida Clinker Breaker Florida Artist Blacksmith Association ,Chapter of ABANA, Inc. 1532 Old Okeechobee Road #lo3 West Palm Beach, FL 33409-5226

FABA MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION Florida Artist Blacksmith Association

- Chapter of ABANA, Inc.

Date

Name

Address

ti t y State ZF

Home Business Phone: Phone:

Spousels name:

Are you in terested i n procuring:

[ I anvi l C 1 coal C 1 hand too ls I 1 blower 1 I forge 1 post v i se [ 1 other

Send t h i s app l i ca t ion and a membership fee o f $15 to:

Norma & Carl Aust in FABA Secretary/Treasurer P. 0. Box 1601 Zol fo Springs, FL 33890

Make check out t o FABA. The FABA membership year begins May 1. Membership i s a f o r a family. You don ' t have t o be an ABANA member t o j o i n FABA, but many FABA members are, and we encourage membership i n both organizations.

Tallahassee (Feb. 9)

ABANA MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION Artist Blacksmith Association

of North America, Inc.

Name

Address

721 t y State Tm Phone:

1, hereby apply f o r membership i n the A r t l s t Blacksmith Associat ion o f North America and enc l ose as my annual membership dues f o r one year. Checks-miX6e US funds. Membership includes a sub- s c r i p t i o n t o The Anv i l ' s Ring.

I l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l l VISA [ 1 Card number

Master Card C I Exp. date - Signature

[ 1 F u l l t ime Student (1 year only) $25.00 per year [ 1 Regular Membership ............. $35.00 per year [ 1 Family Member (one vote) ....... $40.00 per year [ 1 Senior C i t i zen (age 65) ........ 825.00 per year C 1 Overseas Membership ............ $45.00 per year [ I Contr ibutory Member ........... $100.00 per year C I Public L ib ra ry Subsrcipt ion .... $25.00 per year

Cal l (812) 988-6919 t o charge your membership t o VISA o r Master Card, or make out a check t o ABANA and send to:

ABANA P. 0.-Box 1181 Nashvil le, Indiana 47488

Umatilla (Feb. 2)

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZdTION U. S. POSTAGE

WEST PALM BEACH, FL PERMIT NO. 108

Sarasota (Feb. 23) Fort Lauderdale

(Feb. 16)

February, 1991, MEETINGS See page 2 for details.

DATED MATERIAL

Meaber Through 4130191 STEVE & KIMMY BLOOM IRONFLOWER FORGE P O BOX 542 ARCHER F L 32618