Forging: A Smashing Introduction

In one action-packed day, artist Keith Lo Bue will give you a good working knowledge of forging (flattening and shaping) wire. You'll learn proper technique, safety and invaluable tricks that will become a vital part of your creative expression. Come find out why so many people are falling in love with their hammers!

• 'Reo-bar tie wire' <Here> (also found in most Mitre 10 stores in the construction materials section, near the cinder block and chain-link fencing. IMPORTANT: make sure it is steel or iron wire, NOT galvanized!...it should be dark grey-black). NOTE: You won't need to haul the whole roll, as it's quite heavy - bring 1/2 of it with you and you'll have plenty!

• roll of 18 and/or 22 gauge 'dark annealed' steel tie wire: <Here> This is the same material as the Reo tie wire above, only thinner in size.

• Memory wire shear cutter <Here> This is by FAR the easiest cutter to use with steel wire.

• Pliers: Round-nose <Here> and a Linesman's plier <Here>. OK, the reason I linked to these specific pliers is that the steel is heavier-duty than traditional jewellery wire, so it demands slightly more bulky tools. The Knipex round-nose circlip pliers are bigger and stronger than normal size jewellery round-nose pliers. Well worth the purchase! The linesman pliers I linked to here are PERFECT for the steel wire. They are also sold, I think, for a little bit less $$ in Bunnings in the tool section. If you already own a pair of linesman pliers, just bring them and don't spend the money on new ones until after the class, if you like (when you can try mine out and see what makes them so good).

• Steel bench vice <Here> Roz and I ordered this one special for working with the steel wire. The bottom line is that the heavier the steel surface you're hammering on, THE EASIER IT IS TO FORGE. Short of an anvil or a larger bench vice, this will be the best surface to forge on. Now, many of you have steel bench blocks to work with. I don't recommend them for this class. Forging steel on a small bench block is, for lack of a better way to say it... LOUD. So for all our ears' sake, we'll be using these vices.

• While we're on the subject, ear plugs!!

• Safety glasses If you wear eyeglasses, make sure to get goggles that fit over your existing frames.

• 16 oz. ball-pein hammer A fairly cheap good quality one's <Here> The heavier weight of 16 oz. makes forging easier on the arm! You'll be glad you have it. I will try to have a few available to purchase should you run into problems getting one. I will also have a few hammers to share with the class.

• Rawhide (leather) mallet <Here>

OPTIONAL:

• Jeweller's saw frame and blades 2/0 or 3/0 size blades are best.

• Leather gloves helps protect hands from heavy manipulation of the wire.

• Power hand drill I'll have two with me to share, but if you have a cordless, you might want it with you. Don't buy one for this class

Please email me with any questions you might have that this page didn't address.

See you there! Keith