Finishing is an incredibly important part of woodworking–one that can make or break your project after hours and hours of work! Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation about the finishing process, and very few woodworkers are ever taught the actual science of how finishes work. In this 3-day intensive, we will dive right in […]
Instructor: Jared Ondovchik No Experience-Beginner $375 Member | $405 Non-Member $55-$105 Materials and Studio Fees This workshop will cover basic bladesmithing techniques to produce a small “neck knife”. Participants will hand forge a small blade from high carbon steel. They will learn how to properly heat treat, grind, and attach a simple handle to that […]
An in-depth, hands-on workshop in which you’ll raise a beautiful timber-framed structure as part of a team. You’ll learn how to read plans, prepare layouts, use the tools of the timber framing trade, and cut posts, beams, and bracing with mortise and tenon joinery using a mixture of traditional and modern techniques. During […]
Participants will make multiple types of housepaint (oil-based, limewash, and distemper), using traditional materials and methods. Paints will be ground on a muller and slab, as well as in a paint mill. Materials will include: linseed oil, animal glue, dry pigments, and chalk. Students will also learn about historic brushes and brushing techniques. Limited to […]
Hammer, Draw, Twist & Scroll Instructor: Glenn Horr No Experience-Beginner $490 Member | $520 Non-Member $50-$100 Materials and Studio Fees Learn the basics or enhance your skills in the fascinating craft of hand-forged metalwork! You will learn about using a coal forge, hand forging skills, and techniques such as forging a tapering (drawing out), twisting, […]
Join the Washington County Historical Trust to learn how to save, repair, restore and weatherproof old windows in a 3-day workshop. This 3-day session will cover everything you need to know to save, repair and maintain old windows, including making them weatherproof to eliminate drafts in the house. The second and third days will consist […]
2-Week Course Following the tradition of Francis Whitaker, students will have the opportunity to focus on fine ornamental iron work for a personal, predesigned project. In addition to working on individual projects, students will share and learn from the techniques used in their fellow classmate’s work. Students must be able to perform a dropped-tongs forge weld, make upset square corners, and freehand scrolls. Predesigned projects must be submitted to instructors before class begins. Please […]
Historic Preservation Boot Camp 3 Days – 8:00 am to 3:00 pm (daily) Although generally considered permanent, masonry is subject to deterioration too. Our preservation practices attempt to keep masonry structures from deteriorating further; respect the significance of original materials and details; and stabilize, repair, and retain features wherever possible to ensure their safekeeping for […]
This fast-paced introduction to smithing moves you through the fundamentals: basic hammer skills, heat treating, forge welding, and identification of “found” steels. By the end of the second day students will be turned loose to make interesting forged pieces with the support and collaboration of a blacksmith with 30 years of experience. Safety, tools, techniques, […]
Subject: Woodworking Skill Level: All Levels Duration: September 22-28 Cost: $792 + $65 materials fee Coopering is the ancient art of making wooden vessels such as barrels, butter churns, buckets, canteens, pitchers, piggins, etc. using only wood for staves and wood white oak bands with no nails or glue. Learn how to use the […]
This class is designed for first timers in the blacksmith shop who have an interest in knifemaking. We will focus on basic forging techniques and how they are applied to bladesmithing. The knives we make will be simple camping style blades with an emphasis on forging not fine finish work. Due to the short nature […]
Six-day Workshop Location: 801 Carrie Furnace Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15218 Monday through Saturday, 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. This workshop features extended shop time onsite at the Carrie Blast Furnaces and in-depth instruction/assistance catered to the needs of each individual. Participants will have the chance to learn and experiment with multiple pattern-making materials and create […]
Location: 801 Carrie Furnace Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15218 Iron casting is a community workshop experience! This program is a three-day workshop offered Thursday through Saturday, June 27 – 29, July 18 — 20, and October 3 – 5, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Intro to Iron Casting participants work with experienced Rivers of Steel […]
Teens and their parent (or other adult) together can learn metal forging skills in the blacksmith shop with experienced instructors in this very popular class. Students make BBQ tools, chisels, and other projects. The fire and tools used in this class demand respect and develop responsibility. Note: Teen and parent/adult need to register together for […]
This workshop will cover how to start a coal fire, learn basic hammer control, and basic blacksmithing techniques. We will also cover safety in the blacksmith shop and learn about hand tools that blacksmiths utilize. Everyone will have the opportunity to choose from different objects that they can forge and take home. No prior experience […]