Hammer-In with the Adirondack Blacksmiths: February workshop on making a forge welded heart hook.

The Adirondack Chapter of the New York State Designer Blacksmiths meets about 10 times a year.  It is a great group dedicated to preserving and teaching traditional blacksmithing skills.  We met Feb. at Marty Snye's shop near Ogdensburg, NY.  Snow, cold, and difficult travel probably limited attendance a little, but we had a lot of fun!

Marty Snye has a beautiful and very nice coal forge in his shop with a side draft hood.  His forging station is well organized with only a step taking you from forge to anvil to vice.

It really takes away the smoke!  The Side Draft hood leaves a lot of space to work, and uses natural draft to create a high velocity draft to carry away the smoke.

This is the template for our project.  It is made of one piece forge welded and shaped.

Figuring things out takes some time and effort!

To quote Dr. Suess, "And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore."  It was a fun day of forging, food, and camaraderie!  Thanks to Marty and Micky for hosting the hammer-in.