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Issue 6 - Summer 2010
Getting some iron under the anvil.
In this issue :•
Editorial
•
Presidents Report.
•
'Making a stand' - Anvil
stands explained.
• Maths and Metal plus
Blueprints in Rhino
• Our first workshop.
• Angaston & Penrice
Historical Society BBQ
Contents
The Bellows
SUMMER EDITION #6
DECEMBER 2010
EDITOR
Rob Kenning
(08) 83702137
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Rob Kenning
1
....Cover.. Anvil stands of Iron.
2
....Contents
3
....Editorial.....by Rob Kenning
4
....Presidents Note.....Chris Carter
5
....Anvil Stands of Iron....by Geoff Barnes
7
....December Workshop .....by Rob Kenning
11 ....Maths and Metal in Rhino.......by Rob Kenning
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
PRESIDENT
Chris Carter
(08) 82625415
VICE PRESIDENT
Wayne Bickley
(08) 7129 6778
SECRETARY
Rob Kenning
TREASURER
Kirstie Stewart
(08) 83779360
PUBLIC OFFICER
Sonja Hurst
(08) 8386 0910
12 ....Rhinoceros - Blueprints .......by Rob Kenning
14 ....Angaston & Penrice Historical Society BBQ
15 ....Useful sites and Contacts
16 ....Next Quarter Calendar
Purposes & Objectives of ABASA Inc
The objectives of the Association shall be to promote, preserve, and develop the Craftsmanship, and
techniques of all the various disciplines associated with Artistic Blacksmithing to the highest standards
possible.
Supporting these aims include:
a)
To Provide means of communication between mature people with an interest in the craft of
Blacksmithing, for the exchange of ideas, experience, techniques and information for their
mutual benefit, by the publication of a regular Newsletter.
b)
To Encourage a greater awareness of, and interest in the appreciation of the skills of
Blacksmithing among Architects, Interior Designers, Art and Craft groups, and the general
public, and to provide links between Blacksmiths and potential customers by means of
Exhibitions, Demonstrations, and Publications.
GENERAL COMMITTEE
c)
To Promote and actively provide the opportunity for training in all the various aspects of
Blacksmithing means of demonstrations, lectures, and special tuition sessions.
Terry Johnson
d)
To Act as a representative body, in the interests of Australian Blacksmiths, locally, nationally
and internationally.
e)
To Undertake community service, providing these services are within the comfortable limits of
time, talents and costs that the association and individual members can afford, in the context
of the associations, purpose, objectives, rules and legal obligations.
Keren Sutcliffe
f)
To encourage communication and goodwill among Blacksmiths of all Nations.
(08) 82401363
g)
To co-operate with similar associations in every practical way at the local, national and
international level with the interests of the association’s members and community.
h)
To ensure the association achieves the purpose and objectives by all
possible legal means.
(08) 83825559
Cat Lambert
(08) 81650918
Stan Briggs
(08) 83568868
Wayne Waters
(08) 8325 1454
'The Bellows' is compiled using Belights 'Swift Publisher'
Graphics created in RHINOCEROS VER 4 &
Made on an iMac
Pixelmator
Page 2
Editorial
Welcome to our Sixth edition of The Bellows Newsletter.
This quarter has been 'steady as she goes' for us as we continue work on our home base at Terry and Margaret
Johnsons.
Our first workshop was held on the 11th of December and was enjoyed by all that attended. It was also a
chance to spend a last day with our friend and mentor, Lee Portwain, before he heads back to the UK.
Thanks to Lee's assistance and input we have come up with a training guide to steer our members into the
world of blacksmithing.
This issue, we have a very relevant article by Geoff Barnes, on his thoughts on steel fabricated anvil stands
and the advantages of steel over a wooden stumps and concrete over dirt floors. I happen to have a stump
and a dirt floor, so it's got me thinking it might be time to flash up the lightburn and mix up some mud.
I have also included a Rhino article on estimating stock requirements for scroll making and general forging. I
hope it is a help to you when working out your designs. There is an article included on designing your
ironwork projects in Rhino. It gives you an idea of the workflow that takes place.
I'm at the end of the phone if you need any advice on Rhino, or, if you prefer, come over and have a hands on
session.
Tailem Bend has one forge running very well and plans to get a second forge going will be done by Christmas.
With the 'Tour Down Under" passing through Tailem Bend in January, it could prove advantageous for us to
have a presence up there for the day. We have heard that Tailem Bend council will block off the roads into
town at 6 AM in the morning of the race. Old Tailem Town will be closed for access at 9 AM. Be up there early
to secure a spot.
For something new, I would like to start a section on our members forges. All we need is a few words on how
and why you started and how you managed to get your gear for your forge. I know we have a lot of members
with a setup at home. So what do you think?
I'm free to come out and take shots and notes if you wish, just give us a call and we'll arrange a time.
For the next issue I hope to get up to the Mid North in the New Year and chase up a few stories that need to be
told and catch up with friends and family.
I'd like to thank our members and friends in A.B.A.S.A ( and welcome our newest members) for the great year
we have had, and to our friends and colleagues interstate and overseas for their support. The enthusiasm is
fantastic and contagious, lets plan on staying infected.
Finally, I wish everyone out there a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year for 2011.
See you in the New Year.
Rob Kenning
Editor
Page 3
Presidents Report...
Well here we are at the end of a very successful year. As an Association we have
continued to grow our membership and have made more people aware that
Blacksmithing is still very much alive. This has been achieved by our members being
present at various blacksmith's shops around the State. Thanks to all who attend these
locations. Also the Associations sponsorship of two events at the Royal Adelaide Show. It
would be great to see more home exhibits entered next year. This demonstrates to the
general public the varied styles of smithing.
We have acquired a reasonable amount of equipment through the generous donation by
some of our members and especially Geoff Barnes, who seems to find some one who
wants to sell their equipment. Geoff has purchased it and the association can reimburse
him over a period of time. His latest acquisition for the Association was a Spring Hammer.
This will enable members to work on larger sections of material. As a result of these
acquisitions we are now in a position to hold workshops. These workshops will be held at
Terry Johnson's place. Terry and Margaret have kindly allowed us to use their property for
a home base at the present time. Our first workshop was held on the 11 December and
all who attended had a great time. It was a pity that more did not attend. Lee Portwain
(from England) who attended this workshop as his final one in Adelaide gave a
demonstration on how to make a dragon's head. I am sure Rob has some photos to
share. He also assisted some members who were interested in a certain aspect of forging.
These workshops will be held twice a month in 2011, dates will be circulated in the near
future.
As an Association we are still trying to get some more equipment and a permanent
building that we can establish as a home base. I am in contact with Jack Snelling M.P.,
Minister for Technical and Further Education about these two matters. We will keep you
informed of any outcomes. We will also contact local councils to see if they can help us.
I look forward to seeing you all next year at the meetings and workshops. It is great to see
the association go from strength to strength. We are in for a time of learning and
development. I wish you all and your families a Merry Christmas and a Safe and Healthy
New Year.
Chris Carter
President
Page 4
ANVIL STANDS
Article and sketches by Geoff Barnes.
It seems to be taken for granted that the
aspiring blacksmith will sit his anvil on a log of
wood. This practise is widespread in the
Eastern states and seems to be taking hold here
in South Australia. Aesthetically it is very
pleasing, and as a garden ornament, it suits
very well, but it is not satisfactory for
blacksmithing.
Yes, I know that the blacksmiths of old
almost universally sat their anvils on logs of
wood. The logs, I assume, were very cheap and
formed a very robust support to the anvil.
Modern smiths, however, have missed two very
important points. Firstly, the anvil was firmly
secured to the log, usually by a series of
pointed rods driven in around the base of the
anvil and then bent over the anvil feet.
Alternatively, two flat straps were laid across
the base of the anvil then bent diagonally down
the sides of the log where they were fastened.
Secondly, the log was sunk at least two feet in
the earthen floor of the forge, thus ensuring
that the anvil and log were securely anchored.
An anvil not fastened down properly, is an
anvil only half useful. Sure, you can hit things
upon it, but as a secure post for bending
operations, it is hopeless. Bending scrollwork,
for instance, is made very difficult.
In modern day Australia, fixing the anvil,
in the manner described above is usually
impractictable. Burying a log in the ground
provides food for the whiteants.
Many of us are now blessed with concrete
floors in our workshops, and a more ingenious
solution would have to be found to fasten the
log down (I appreciate that there are some
diehards who insist that an earth floor is more
desirable).
I myself, prefer a fabricated steel stand.
This can be easily welded together from a
selection of suitably sized angle iron for the
legs and some heavy flat bar. (Fig. 1)
Fig.1
A most important point to notice, is that
a wooden pad must be inserted between the
bottom of the anvil and the steel stand. The
pad ensures that there will be no transmission
of noise between the anvil and stand and also
dampen the 'ring' of the anvil. This is
particularly desirable with the more modern
cast steel anvils which tend to be very noisy
when blows are struck upon them-even
indirectly through red hot steel.
The four vertical legs are spaced to frame
nicely, the base of the anvil. The height of the
anvil is a matter of personal preference. Many
of the old forges had their anvils set very low
because a 'striker' did most of the hard
hammering- often upon tools set up in the
hardy hole. This raised the level of the job
quite high and consequently, the anvil was
lowered to compensate.
Page 5
ANVIL STANDS
Cont:-
Article and sketches by Geoff Barnes.
The usual rule of thumb for the solo worker, is
to have the face of the anvil at the level of a
clenched fist when satnding in a relaxed
manner- square and straight.
The anvil is held down to the stand by a couple
of short, stout pieces of angle iron drilled to
the size of the securing bolts, which have been
welded vertically to the stand beneath the beak
and the heel of the anvil. These bolts should be
no less than 12mm diameter, preferably
thicker. The holes should be drilled as closely
as possible to the inner vertical face of the
angle iron (Fig.2).
Fig.2
To fasten the stand to the floor, try the high tensile bolts that screw directly into masonry.
Dynabolts, I find, tend to work loose. Between the stand and the floor, insert of couple of strips
of rubber matting, or an old flat pulley drive belt. This will help iron out any uneveness of the
floor and further dampen vibration.
Place the anvil so that it sits at right angles to the front edge of the forge (Fig.3). This means
executing only a quarter of a turn when moving from forge to anvil.
If this all sounds too difficult, you can
always go back to a log of wood.
Fig.3
Page 6
December
Workshop Report
We had our first workshop( come working bee) on
the 11th of this month at our new home base. Terry
and Margaret Johnson have kindly allowed us to set
up a modest working area to stage 3 forges and 3
anvils with a common swage block and quench
tank.
The day was intended to be a day of adjustments, as
most of the equipment was unfired and unused by
any of us and we knew there would be tweaking
involved.
By 11 AM most of the eleven members and family
had arrived and began organising themselves for
the day.
We had a BBQ planned following forging till
1:30PM . We only lit two forges and both fired up
quite easily with the blowers working well in
supplying plenty of air. We will need to modify the
hearth on one of them to achieve a higher fire mass.
We will plan on doing this at the next workshop. As
well as the three forges and anvils we have a power
hammer at our disposal. Geoff Barnes was fortunate
to lay his hands on a 50lb spring hammer, and has
kindly offered it to us to purchase for the
associations use. The hammer will be very helpful for
completing some of the hard work of drawing down.
We will have an electric blown forge next to the
hammer for the next workshop.
Chris Carter, Chris Fuller, Allen Peters and Tina
kicked off the session. The three men forged some
letter openers and Tina made a few leaves as gifts
for her friends. Meanwhile, Terry assisted Kirstie in
working out how to attach a decorative timber and
steel tabletop to Kirstie's pedestal.
Terry and
Kirstie
working on a
pedestal
tabletop.
Tina forging
down a leaf for
her collection .
Geoff Barnes
and the 50lb
spring
hammer.
Page 7
December
Workshop Report
It turned out to be a very productive workshop,
even though Mother Nature decided on
displaying her four seasons on a fifteen minute
cycle. We had the equipment working better than
when we arrived and determined what we need
to fabricate and modify for the next workshop.
Chris Carter set to work firing up the BBQ whilst
the ladies set up for lunch. Bless them. We all
enjoyed a sumptuous lunch and discussed the
days events.
Lee put on a demonstration of forging a Dragons
head poker from a piece of 16mm square bar.
With the largest of the forges coked up and at
temperature, Lee took a heat and then proceeded to
draw the first 100mm of the bar down to a 25mm x
6mm section using the power hammer. The mane
was shaped by hand before a chisel was used to
place a series of cuts along the curved edge.
Paddy kept everyone busy.
With Lee Portwain's imminent return to the UK,
we had decided that the day would also be in
honor of Lee's invaluable help and advice to our
association over the time he has been with us.
We will miss him at the meetings and workshops.
We wish Lee all the best of luck in landing on his
feet with some blacksmith work in the UK.
Next came the partial hot cut an inch down from the
mane then back in the fire for the forge welding. It's
important to be sure to cut through the right
direction at this point.
Page 8
December
Workshop Report
Nostrils
Forge welding the
head
Ears
Tina assists Lee in
forming the muzzle.
Eyes
The completed dragon
Page 9
December
Workshop Report
Chris applies a mix of Bees wax,
turpentine and linseed oil for the finish.
Lee with the finished product.
Our newest member, Allen Peters, was the
lucky recipient of the poker at the end of the
day.
Everyone who attended the workshop had a fantastic time and are looking forward to future workshops
and getting together for the social aspect.
Once again, many thanks go to Terry and Margaret for allowing us to set up shop and providing us with
the facilities. Thanks also to Geoff and Helena for their dogged pursuance of securing equipment for us,
and to Annette Herd (Tina's mum) for bringing Tina along, and to Allen Peters for making the long haul
down from Hallet.
We still have a ways to go in setting up the area, but we have made a great start. When the roof is on and a
few other items in place, such as post vice's and tong/tool racks, it will be a great asset for us to work as a
group and pass on the skills to the newest members to blacksmithing.
Terry plans to have the structure finished early next year and we may have another call for volunteers to
raise the roof, so to speak.
In the new year, we will be planning on having regular scheduled workshops every second weekend
initially. We may even hold some meetings down there on the warmer nights. Hopefully, no one gives the
dog a set of night vision goggles or flourescent sticks to chase.
Article and Pictures by Rob Kenning
Page 10
RHINOCEROS
Math and Metal
One of the challenges for beginners is working out how much stock to cut for the elements in your
designs. If you are completing a job from a drawing, there's a good chance there won't be any details
supplied, other than the finished length. Rhino can be a help in this regard and with a few simple
calculations, you can work out how much stock to cut and where to begin drawing down to achieve the
design intent.
The diagram above shows a scroll forged from 16x8mm. The volume of the scroll is 28,800 cubic
millimeters. An equivalent piece of flat stock would measure 225mm long. You can see that the scrolls
thickness remains at 8 mm for a distance of 144mm and tapers out over 94mm to a thickness of 3.4 mm.
To achieve the same profile on the flat stock you would need to start drawing down 81mm from the end
and increase the length of the stock by 13mm or 238mm overall.
In another example, lets say you want to draw out a tear shaped letter opener blade from 16mm round
stock. Where would you start drawing it out? Let's have a look at the next diagram.
The blade is 100mm long and is double
sided.The center line of the blade is 3mm
thick tapering down to a 1mm edge all
round.
By modeling the blade profile and
measuring the volume, you can translate
that volume into the round stock you
will need just to forge the blade. After
that is known, it is a matter of
determining how much stock you need
for the handle and other aspects of the
design. The balance of the knife can also
be assessed by modeling the knife and
calculating the Center of Gravity.
Page 11
RHINOCEROS
You've got your first job to build a 3 foot gate.
Next comes the design and maybe a drawing
illustrating your design.
The best way to tackle this in Rhino is to layout
your design in 2d at the start. When you work in
2d you have the abililty to work fast and copy
multiple elements like scrolls and collars. The
golden rule with CAD is to draw everything
once then copy the design if required. When
you are designing multiple scrolls or other curve
intensive geometry keep your initial design to
single lines only. This makes it very easy to copy
and scale if required.
Remember, when you progress from this point,
do not delete the single lines as they are your
guide to material lengths for stock. Instead, pop
them on their own layer called 'WIRE LINES'.
Simply click on the light bulb in the Layers box
to hide them till you need them.
After you have completed the design, it is time
to offset the single lines to the width of the
stock you have chosen. Start a new layer. At
this stage you have the insight into the weight
of the design. What I mean by this is your stock
widths, not the material weight (that's further
down the track).
The stock width shown to the right is currently
10mm wide. I intend to use 40mm x 10mm
material for the frame and the artwork is mainly
20mm x 10mm. The cobweb could be a little
lighter, maybe 6mm x 6mm, but at this stage
we'll keep on going with what we have got. The
previous mentioned advice about keeping your
2d wire, is that you can change an element at
the end of the process with your original wires
without re drawing that particular design. You
will need to tidy up the drawn down parts of
the scrolls when you offset, but again, you only
do it once and copy over the modification to all
the scrolls.
Blueprints
Basic 2d layout
Completed 2d layout
Page 12
RHINOCEROS
Blueprints
Perhaps the trickiest part of the next process, is
making sure that all your lines are closed off.
The result of an open shape is that Rhino won't
build a surface, and therefore, won't generate a
solid shape. If you look at the image to the
right, you will see that the red and grey
surfaces are filled. If you haven't joined your
lines together Rhino will show the shape as a
faint outline. To repair the shape, simply zoom
in close to the shape, select the lines and turn
on the EDIT POINTS. By using the END and
POINT Snap you can snap the joints together,
then use the JOIN command. Rhino can then
make a surface.
Once you have the result above,
the surfaces can be extruded into
solids and you can carry on with
applying materials and /or colors
and render an image.
The final image (left) for the
customer for feedback and
hopefully approval.
When you're ready to proceed with
the hard work, you can use any of
the drawing stages to produce
your dimensions and work out
material requirements and
weights. You can also print out
scaled drawings of the parts to
assist you in laying down a chalk
drawing in the forge to overlay
your work as you progress.
Page 13
Angaston and Penrice Historical
Society
ANNUAL VOLUNTEERS BBQ
The Angaston and Penrice Historical Society
held their annual end of year BBQ on Tuesday
December the 15th, at the Union Chapel, the
headquarters of the Society. Members of
A.B.A.S.A, who have volunteered at the
Doddridge Forge, were invited along to
partake in the celebrations. Our members
attending included the President , Chris Carter
and his wife Bev, along with Terry and
Margaret Johnson and Rob and Jeanette
Kenning.
This year proved to be very successful for the
society and we had a lovely evening with only
a couple of drops of rain. A full BBQ was
provided, with members bringing along a
plate of salad or dessert to share. The
attendance for this years event was many
times larger than last years event and it
provided a good opportunity to converse with
the President and commitee members of the
Society and chat with old friends.
We were made very welcome on the night.
The President, Bill Gransbury, thanked the
volunteers for their tireless efforts in providing
volunteer services to the many facets of the
Society.
The Artist Blacksmiths Association South
Australia has been providing volunteer
blacksmiths to the Doddridge Forge for the
past three years and we feel very privileged
and humbled to be able to work in such a
historical and well preserved forge, such as
Doddridge's original worksite.
The event this year was very well attended.
Rob, Terry and Chris
We look forward to continuing our association
with the Doddridge Forge and the Society and
will encourage our members to spare a
weekend day occassionally to work the forge
and assist in keeping the doors open to the
general public.
Article by Rob Kenning
Photo's by Jeanette Kenning
Chris and Bev Carter.
Page 14
Useful Sites and Suppliers
Blacksmiths Associations
Blacksmiths Association Western Australia
http://bawa.webkroll.com/
Australian Blacksmiths Association Victoria
http://www.abavic.org.au/
Artist Blacksmiths Association of Queensland
http://www.abaqld.org.au/
Brisbane Blacksmiths Supplies
www.brisbaneblacksmithsupplies.com/
Mont De Lancey Blacksmith Group
http://www.blacksmithing.com.au/events.php
The Tree Project
http://www.treeproject.abavic.org.au/news.html
British Artist Blacksmiths Association
http://www.baba.org.uk/
Artist Blacksmiths Association of America Inc
http://www.abana.org/
Blacksmiths Information and Forums
Blacksmiths Supplies
Stirling Fuel Supplies
Mount Barker Rd Cnr Gould Rd, STIRLING, SA 5152
Phone: (08) 83392021
Metalcorp Steel
285 Grand Junction Road OTTOWAY SA 5013
Phone: (08) 8301 3777
Email: Bronwyn.Garrick@bluescopesteel.com
Southern Steel Supplies
69- 71 O'Sullivan Beach Rd LONSDALE SA 5160
Phone: 1300 302 993
Horse Shoes 'R' Us
9 Alabar Crs GLOBE DERBY PARK SA 5110
Phone: (08) 8281 0689
Fantech Pty Ltd
17A Seaforth Avenue SOMERTON PARK SA 5044
Phone:(08) 83770502
EBM Blowers
17/ 2 Portrush Rd PAYNEHAM SA 5070
Phone: (08) 88363544
Red Box Products
All styles of metalcraft information
http://www.metalartistforum.com/
Quality Blacksmith Crosspein Hammers.
Available in 2lb, 3lb and 4lb weights.
Made of Quality Steel and Genuine Hickory
Handles.
All styles of Blacksmith information
http://www.iforgeiron.com/forum/
Discounts available to financial
A.B.A.S.A members.
Social networking for the metal arts
http://www.artmetal.com/index.php
Discount Blacksmith books in UK with Free
postage
http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/search?
searchTerm=blacksmith&search=search
David Robertson (Ontario Artist Blacksmith)
http://www.artistblacksmith.com/
For more information contact Greg Greet directly
on 0458 075 175 or 02 6248 6501
or Email at: redboxproducts@gmail.com
A.B.A.S.A. members orders contact Rob Kenning
on (08) 83702137 or rkenning@adam.com.au
If you have any contacts and web sites you
would like to have included, contact the
Secretary.
Page 15
Next Quarter Calendar
Dec-Jan-Feb-March
2010 - 2011
A.B.A.S.A. MEETINGS
COUNTRY FORGE DATES
ANGASTON - Members attending
WHERE:
Elephant & Castle Hotel. West Terrace.
Adelaide.
Convention Room.
JANUARY 9th -22nd - 29th
FEBRUARY 6th - 20th -26th
MARCH 6th - 19th - 26th
APRIL 3rd - 23rd - 30th
TIME: 7p.m.
BURRA 'Bon Accord'
Members attending :-
Committee Meeting - 24th
FEBRUARY 2011
General Meeting MARCH 2011
24th
Please Note:- Every meeting, whether it
be Committee or General, is open to all
members and friends to attend.
Workshops - Workshops will
be scheduled on a weekend day
every two weeks in the New
Year.
Stay tuned.
There are no activities scheduled at this
time.
RIVERTON - Members attending :FEBRUARY 27TH -2011
MARCH 27TH -2011
MOONTA - Members attending :Ring Terry Johnson for attendance details.
( He would love the company )
MANNUM - Members attending :Forge is currently under construction.
TAILEM BEND- Members attending :Next event scheduled for 'Tour Down Under'
in January 19th 2011
Page 16