2025 Workshops

Blacksmithing Basics

One-Day Workshop

Unleash your inner artisan and discover the ancient craft of blacksmithing during our one-day Blacksmith Basics workshop! This hands-on experience is for those eager to explore forging fundamentals or brush up on their skills. Participants will leave with completed projects for their home and to show off to friends and family.

No previous metalworking experience is necessary—all you need is a willingness to learn and a curiosity for working with metal.

June 14  SOLD OUT

June 15  SOLD OUT

June 20  SOLD OUT

Chest Hardware

One or Two-Day Workshop

This is an excellent opportunity for woodworkers and blacksmiths (who also dabble in woodworking) wishing to forge decorative hardware for small wooden chests. The chest hardware workshop is split into two days: Saturday is focused on hinges, and Sunday is focused on handles. Participants can sign up for either one or both days. Techniques covered: strap hinges with rolled or welded eye construction, hacksaw and file techniques, hot punching, and historical designs.

No previous blacksmithing experience is required, but a basic understanding of metalwork’s fundamental tools and techniques will be helpful. Participants can sign up for either one or both days.

Hinges Day One:

Participants will forge ornamental hinges for their wooden storage boxes or chests. Contemporary and traditional hinge styles will be used for design inspiration, and optional embellishments will be demonstrated to inspire those with fundamental blacksmith skills to develop their designs beyond the simplest form.

Handles Day Two:

Participants will forge ornamental handles for their wooden storage boxes or chests. Contemporary and traditional handles will be used for design inspiration, and optional embellishments will be demonstrated to inspire those with fundamental blacksmith skills to develop their designs beyond the simplest form.

Shop Tools: Wing Divider

One or Two-Day Workshop

Dividers are invaluable tools for any craftsperson. They are essential for tasks requiring fine details and consistent dimensions – crucial for layout work! They are also helpful when spacing, marking parallel lines, or creating circles. Wing dividers have a wing-shaped adjustment arm with a thumbscrew clamp and wingnut for fine adjustment.

The wing divider workshop is split into two days.

On Saturday, participants focused on forging the parts for a fixed-winged divider.

On Sunday, they will take the divider parts from the previous day and forge an additional wingnut, thumbscrew, and spring. These extra parts allow the user to make fine adjustments while using the divider. Participants wishing to sign up for Sunday’s workshop MUST participate in the Saturday class. No previous blacksmithing experience is required, but a basic understanding of metalwork’s fundamental tools and techniques will be helpful.

Fixed Wing Divider Day One:

On Saturday, participants will forge all the parts for a fixed-wing divider. Techniques covered include forging tapers, half-face blows, rivets, slot punching, and tenons. This class will be challenging; participants may run out of time and have to assemble their dividers in their home studios.

Winged Divider Day Two:  

Participants in Sunday’s workshop MUST participate in the Saturday class. Participants will build upon the fixed-wing divider they forged on Saturday, with the additional techniques (forged wingnuts, thumbscrew, and cutting internal and external threads) covered.

Build Your Own Forge

One Evening Workshop

If you want to hammer on hot metal, a forge is required. In this workshop, you will assemble a solid fuel forge ready for fire when you get home. This workshop is ideal for aspiring blacksmiths, DIY enthusiasts, and metalworking hobbyists looking to take their craft to the next level.

No previous experience is necessary to participate in this workshop.

2025 WAIT LIST

If the workshop you wish to attend is sold out, please email workshops@cloverdaleforge.com to be added to our wait list.
Please include the date(s) and title of the class(es) that you are interested in attending.
Occasionally we have cancellations and will reach out to you for the class you have identified if a space becomes available.

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