Blacksmithing is heating pieces of wrought iron or steel until the metal becomes soft enough for shaping with hand tools, such as a hammer, anvil and chisel. Heating generally takes place in a forge fueled by propane, natural gas, coal, charcoal, or oil.
This hands-on class allows you to learn basic techniques such as drawing, bending, and twisting and then advance to splitting, scrolling, and punching. You will be able to design, complete and take home simple projects such as bracelets, triangles, hooks, spoons, tools and more. The class will include an introduction to heat treating if appropriate for the projects undertaken. Location: This is an off-site class. Alchemy Industrial Arts 9392 Wardwell Ave NEBainbridge Island, WA
Class will cover:
Class Goals:
Details:
Instructor:
Jeremy Loerch is a successful small business owner of Monkey Wrench Fabrication studio, focused on original pieces made from all types of metal. Expertise includes teaching and curriculum development for youth, as well as adult programming. Contact: [email protected] or (206) 992-8509
Further Contact:
David Hays, Metal Fab Studio, [email protected]
You’ll learn what all those buttons do, which directions the machine moves along the different axes, how to load a g-code program, and the way to communicate directly with the machine via MDI (Manual Data Input). There’s a lot to know about operating a CNC machine beyond loading a program and pushing the button, and this class will get you started. After attending this class, you can proceed directly to Introduction to Plasma CNC, Fusion 360 CAM for Lathe or Mill, or CNC Lathe and CNC Mill classes.
BARN is committed to accessibility. Tuition Assistance is available - click here to fill out the simple application before registering for a class. For those who might need physical assistance, please learn about BARN's Companion Program here.
Contact: David Hays [email protected]
BARN’s Pattern-Making class is where you learn one of many ways to create a pattern of the casting you envision. Once completed, you'll use the pattern in our “Metal Casting in the Foundry” class to create a mold that molten bronze or aluminum will be poured to produce your casting.
Making a Pattern is the first of three basic steps of the Foundry Art:
BARN offers related casting classes including “The Basics of Metal Casting” (an online event), “Pattern-Making for Casting in the Foundry” where you learn how to make patterns used to produce a working mold, and “Metal Casting in the Foundry” where you make casting molds from patterns and actual casting of molten metal to form the casting. An ongoing Advanced Casting (in an Open Studio format) event will also be offered to those with demonstrated competency in the foundry. Stay tuned and sign up for the Metal Fabrication newsletter to receive information when these events are offered.
After completing your mold, register for our next metal casting class here.
Please click here for BARN's current COVID-19 health & safety protocols.
Jeff Oens is a widely renowned sculptor with his bronze artwork exhibited in prominent art collections and public displays across the United States and Canada. Jeff is best known for his outstanding wildlife sculptures, but his portfolio also includes human figures, mythical creatures, and other diverse subjects, ranging in size from miniature to monumental. Many of Jeff’s sculptures can be seen around the industrial park on Three Tree Lane.
In this short introductory class you will learn how to operate and use the CrystalBlast for all your creative projects!
The CrystalBlast Elite 2.0 is not your normal sand blaster. This machine is the Rolls-Royce of blast cabinets and requires proper safety and operator training. The CrystalBlast is great for adding textures to metals and glass and can accommodate larger pieces up to 2 ft. Bring your note books and be ready to have your mind blown!
Karin Lee Luvaas is a local Bainbridge Island artist and jeweler. With an art degree in encaustics, painting and metal sculpture, Karin has studied under acclaimed jewelry masters Michael Boyd, Kent Raible, Petra Class, and Sarah Graham and achieved Graduate Jeweler status under Alan Revere of the world renowned Revere Academy of San Francisco, California. Karin is also a GIA certified Graduate Gemologist and holds a Jewelers of America Bench Jeweler Technician certificate.
Karin’s current work can be viewed on Instagram @karinluvaas.
Fix-It Saturday takes advantage of the equipment and skills of the Metal Fabrication group at BARN to meet the challenge of repairing items brought in. Requested repairs should be focused on metal or related electrical projects. Your hands on participation in the "fix-it" process is encouraged.
See what we can do, what suggestions we can make, or what other avenues you might pursue if a fix is not at hand.
(No wheeled vehicles, please).
Registration is suggested. Fix-It Saturday is free and open to members and non-members.
Please Note: Fix-It Saturday runs concurrently with an Open Studio available to qualified users. Open Studio users must register and pay the required materials fee for the Open Studio that is also held on this day. ----------------------------------
BARN will provide Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) for participants.
Participants who plan to weld must wear natural fiber clothing, long pants, long sleeves, closed toe shoes (natural fiber or leather), no stretch fabrics, and long hair tied back.
Received 5-21 via a calendar from Henry and posted on 5/2
TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding is generally recognized as the welding technique of choice for artisans and more exotic materials including aluminum and stainless steel. TIG welding is more difficult to learn than MIG welding since it requires greater hand/eye coordination and requires the simultaneous use of both hands and one foot (controlling the amperage pedal.) TIG welding is a precision welding process particularly useful in high grade artwork and metal sculpture.
The class includes shop safety and hazard awareness and proper use of Personal Protection Equipment.
There will be approximately 2 hours of hands-on instruction in making a weld, different types of welds, and torch and filler rod manipulation.
Instructor Bio:
Patrick Clanton is a professional welder with more than 30 years of experience. He participates in the artisan community on Bainbridge as a welder in support of other artists and as a sculptor in his own right. Patrick Clanton Email: [email protected]
In this class you will learn about basic metal cutting, and the tools in the BARN machine shop studio used for drilling, turning, milling, sawing and grinding. There will be a basic demonstration of what the drill press, lathe, milling machine, cut off saw, band saw, and surface grinder do. Throughout, there will be an emphasis on safety issues surrounding these powerful and potentially dangerous machines.
In the first session of this two-session class, you’ll learn the essentials of BARN’s CNC Mill, and the operating concepts to safely operate it. We’ll cover CNC basics beginning with X, Y, & Z axes motion that define the work envelope, how to hold material, selecting and establishing part-zeros, and the various cutting tools in the tool library and tool height offsets. We’ll also touch on different ways to generate g-code (the language that instructs the CNC machine what to do and where to do it).
In the second session, we’ll load a model created by one of the students into Fusion 360, examine and prove the CAM setup and g-code, cut some air, and then cut some material.
Prerequisites - The prerequisites provide an important foundation for learning how to use this machine and use of it during open studio:
Please wear closed-toe shoes in our studio. Tie back long hair, avoid loose-fitting clothing and jewelry and roll up sleeves. Wear hearing protectors when warranted and safety glasses; bring your own or use BARN's.
Instructor Bio: As a young man, David Hays worked as a machinist while gaining his engineering degrees and went on in his later years to create his own hobby machine shop that included a DIY CNC mill.
This class requires preparation. Please see below.
This introduction to the CNC Plasma class complements our hand-held plasma cutter classes. It focuses on safety, general principles, and start-up & shut-down procedures of BARN’s CNC Plasma Cutter. Plasma is an ionized high temperature arc that will cut through metal when combined with a directed jet of compressed air. Just as in BARN’s other Metal-Fab CNC machines, this system is based on the Centroid Acorn CNC controller and has a similar Virtual Control Panel.
For this class, you’ll come prepared with a house number or address laid out within student-defined geometry of 256 square inches or less. In class, your design will be created in Fusion 360 with most any font you wish. Once in Fusion 360, the design will be post-processed to produce G-code used to cut your specific design. G-Code is the control language that commands the CNC Plasma Cutter when and where to cut.
With the G-Code created and fundamentals of safe operation out of the way, you’ll learn the basics of machine operation: X- and Y-axis motion of the machine, Torch Height Control, and Centroid’s Virtual Control Panel. Then you’ll cut your masterpiece!
This is a one-session, 4-hour class with a 10-minute break.
Required: You must arrive at class with a clear sketch or drawing of the address and the design layout, including the X-Y dimensions of your 256 square inches.
Go to this link to see the CNC in operation: https://vimeo.com/366139327
Next-Step classes: “Cutting Designs with BARN's CNC Plasma Cutter and Fusion 360” delves into nuances of creating “cuttable” designs, and producing detailed art that you can be proud.
“Fusion 360 Sheet Metal Basics”, will introduce you to the sheet metal capabilities in Fusion 360 that can then be used to cut parts for sheet metal parts that will be bent and formed.
This class is the first step to mastering the art of sheet metal work! You will learn personal, tool and shop safety, then proceed to learn how to use most of the basic tools for your future sheet metal projects: pattern layout, cutting, bending, shaping...even the spot welder. As part of this process, you will make a display stand so you can practice your skills.
This introductory class has no prerequisites, but IS the prerequisite for all subsequent classes, including Organic Shaping & Forming.
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BARN is committed to accessibility. For those who might need physical assistance, please learn about BARN's Companion Program here.
Instructor: David Albergine
Use a forge to heat pieces of steel red hot and hammer them into the shape and edge of a knife. Repeat, again and again. Temper and quench. Then grind a final edge. You have a handmade knife to fit with a handle. These knives are utility knives, not kitchen knives.
The tradition knife-making class serves as an introduction to basic blacksmithing in two 3-hour sessions. The result will be the completion of your own handmade knife.
The class covers:
Location: This is an off-site class. Alchemy Industrial Arts 9392 Wardwell Ave NE Bainbridge Island WA 98110 ------------------------------------------------
Further Contact: David Hays, [email protected]
The Manufacturing section of Fusion 360 is an essential element of using BARN’s CNC machines. In this class, you’ll learn about:
Knowing how to utilize the CAM functions is a big step toward using BARN's CNC machines and is required to produce usable g-code from a Fusion 360 model.
Prerequisites:
BARN’s Metal Casting class is where you learn and advance your metal art skills by casting bronze or aluminum into a mold you’ll make. Molten metal will be poured into the mold you’ve formed in green sand (an environmentally safe mixture of fine sand, clay, and water) from a pattern of your own making or one selected from our pattern library. After your casting cools, you’ll free it from the mold and experience the thrill as your artistic creation emerges.
Metal Casting is the second of three basic steps of the Foundry Art:
There’s no need to be concerned about attending this class before you’ve made a pattern. Attend the class for the first time, and when casting excites your creative energies, take the Pattern-Making class, then attend the Metal Casting class again, as often as you like. Our instructors will guide each student to help them advance their skill, no matter their skill level.
BARN offers related casting classes including “The Basics of Metal Casting” (an online event), “Pattern-Making for Casting in the Foundry” where you learn how to make patterns used to produce a working mold, and “Finishing a Casting”, where you cut, grind, and finish your rough casting into a finished piece. An ongoing Advanced Casting (in an Open Studio format) event will also be offered to those with demonstrated competency in the foundry. Stay tuned and sign up for the Metal Fabrication newsletter to receive information when these events are offered.
After casting your piece, register to clean up, polish and finish it here.
Location: This is an off-site class. Alchemy Industrial Arts 9392 Wardwell Ave NEBainbridge Island WA
Instructor Bios:
Frank Wurden - While getting his BS Electrical Engineering degree at University of Washington, Frank also obtained a BFA degree with emphasis in life drawing, sculpting and foundry art working with green sand, CO2 sand casting, investment casting, and ceramic shell casting. Sculpture materials were clay, foam, wood, or wax for the patterns, and casting in aluminum, bronze and stainless steel. Frank says it’s been many years since actually casting, so it’s great fun to get back into it! “I totally enjoy the entire process and look forward to helping other people do the same.”
Mario Oblak - Mario honed his passion for casting metal with BFA (UofW) and MFA (Rhode Island School of Design) degrees in Sculpture. Creating, designing and building in different materials and mediums is a joy, but working in liquid metal is “it” for him. Mario feels “Casting is a magical process that requires patience, skill, labor and teamwork, with the results both satisfying and permanent.” By sharing his knowledge and experience, Mario wants to help others explore, learn, and develop skills so they can see their ideas come to life.
MIG (Metal Inert Gas) welding is the easiest kind of welding to learn and a technique with broad applications. This hands-on introduction is aimed at students interested in trying MIG welding.
The goal at the end of the class is to feel comfortable with the operation of the welding machine and the MIG welding process. The class begins with a safety briefing. There is a brief introduction to welding theory and materials. There will be approximately two hours of hands-on practice and guidance on technique (within the 2 1/2 hour class). At the end of class, students should be able to lay down a MIG bead and to be able to identify and remedy problems with the bead. Many students will have advanced to exploring different types of weld joints or welding different thicknesses of material.
Students who have completed the class are eligible to participate in welding shop open studios.
Small class size (3) provides one-on-one learning and direct mentoring. Each participant will have the use of a fully equipped Miller 215 welder and will go through the welding set up process.
Instructor: Henry Sharpe
This class has a prerequisite. Please see below.
This class is the second in the TIG welding series to be taken after the TIG #1 class. It will progress from making a basic TIG bead to the techniques and practice required to make TIG welded joints. The class will focus on how to perform different kinds of TIG welds – butt, lap, “T”, corner, and edge.
TIG welding requires more dexterity and practice than MIG welding. Students are encouraged to use open studios to practice their technique and develop confidence.
The goal at the end of the class is to feel comfortable with the operation of the welding machine and the TIG welding process in performing different welds.
Instructor: Patrick Clanton is a professional welder with more than 30 years of experience. He participates in the artisan community on Bainbridge as a welder in support of other artists and as a sculptor in his own right.
Patrick Clanton Email: [email protected]
*Prerequisites are required to take this class. Please see below.
In the first session of this two-session class, you’ll learn the essentials of BARN’s CNC Lathe, and the operating concepts to safely operate it. We’ll cover CNC lathe basics beginning with the details of the machine, understand lathe motion on the Z & X axes, selecting and establishing part-zeros, various cutting tools in the tool library, and diameter & Z-offsets. We’ll also touch on different ways to generate g-code (the language that instructs the CNC machine what to do and where to do it).
In the second session, we’ll load a model created by one of the students into Fusion 360, examine and prove the CAM setup and g-code, cut some air, and then cut some metal.
Prerequisites - The prerequisites provide an important foundation for learning how to use the CNC Lathe and use of it during open studio:
Please login to your BARN account and click on "My event registrations" to ensure you have completed the required prerequisites before you register for this class.
Contact: David Hays at [email protected]
Park: At BARN, or the adjacent Christmas tree lot. Parking also available at the First Baptist Church on North Madison, with a free Sweet Deal Mobile shuttle.
This is a BARN holiday. Doors will be locked to the public, members, and non-members.
