Tunnel Mill Craft Calendar, 2010
Archived: January 12, 2011
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The class will work on making 18th century style dividers with a wing nut and thumbscrew.
Students can choose from a few traditional styles, and may opt for rough forged or bright filed surfaces.
Generally these tools have a three leaf hinge, but students may wish to try the more complex 5 leaf hinge instead.
This session will concentrate on the style of scrollwork found in 18th century English architectural work.
The class will identify the characteristic features of this style through making a simple wall bracket which
incorporates several of the common approaches. Forge welded junctions, riveted assemblies, asymmetric scrolls, etc.
In addition, the class will introduce a method of forging and assembly based on using the dividers to lay out accurate
spacing. This method is a stark contrast to modern shop methods adopted by most smiths today, and a glimpse into the
world before machine tools.
A simple version may be done with no forge welding required but welding experience will enable the student to attempt
more elaborate versions of the project.
Note: These two Peter Ross sessions are independent of each other. You do not need to take one to take the other.
We will be hosting Nathan Robertson for a hand forged heat treated hammer class.
The hours are: 9:00am to 4:00 - 6:00pm, or what ever it takes.
Come to this class and leave with your own heat treated hammer.
Size and style will vary. Nathan will bring stock to make 1 1/2 - 2 1/2 lb hammers.
We had a nice little gathering at our July potluck get together and have set
up this second date for another get together and potluck.
We will have a short demo and also do a barrel or two of charcoal..
6:30 PM Potluck Dinner
Welcome class partcipants and anyone interested in Blacksmithing.
-Demo and Discussion
-Show and tell
Call or email for additional information.
Due to health issues Bill Fiorini will not be teaching the damascus class at Tunnel Mill.
We have gotten in a substitute, Mike Blue.
Mike has been making blades since 1985 and has been Forging since 1986.
He worked as a volunteer demonstration blacksmith at Living History Farms in Des Moines for seven years.
-Member of the Knife Maker's Guild (US) since 2004.
-Member of the Scandinavian Knife Makers Guild, and is also a member of the Guild of Metalsmith and ABANA.
His most recent interests include steel and iron smelting using traditional bloomery furnaces.
Mike will follow the same class schedule that Bill had outlined for us.
We look forward to seeing you at Tunnel Mill.
6:30 PM Potluck Dinner
Welcome class partcipants and anyone interested in Blacksmithing.
-Demo and Discussion
-Show and tell
Call or email for additional information.
(or just come and hang out, you are bound to learn something)
Iron-we will be running the 500lb Little Gaint
Saturday we will be running our ongoing Iron bloom project
Copper-learn some texturing techniques
Tie-dying, or bleaching-make your own t-shirt
(I will have some available for sale)
Quilting-bring your sewing machine.
Bring a Quilt to display in the barn
Make a table runner. Call for more information.
**NEW- nearby cave tour with David Olin**
Wine and cheese has become a regular for Saturday afternoon.
Saturday night we hope to have some musical entertainment
Directions to Tunnel Mill: Tunnel Mill is located 20 miles south of Rochester.
Take Hwy 63 south to Stewartville, turn east on Hwy 30 to County Rd 1 (approx 5.5 miles) Turn south on County Rd 1.
Follow Co Rd 1 6.5 miles to Tunnel Mill on the left side of County Road 1.
(Call about camping on grounds) 507-378-4983
Lodging available in Spring Valley, 5 miles further south on County Rd 1;
Shady Rest-507-346-2625; Spring Valley Motel & Suites-507-346-7788
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Name_________________________________________________________PHONE#______________________
Weekend admission fee $10.00 per person Daily admission $5.00 per person
Meals available for these costs:
Sat morning ____persons @ $4.00 ea Sat lunch______persons @$7.50 ea
Sat evening______persons@$12.00 ea Sun morning____person@$6.00 ea
Sunday noon______persons@$7.50ea.
TOTAL________
POTLUCK-FRIDAY EVENING-WEEKEND RATE-$45.00 ea
Send registration to: Carol Adams
4505 Hwy 63 N
Rochester, Mn 55906
Questions call 507-289-4189 or 289-5246
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Participants in this class will work in pairs striking for each other to produce a small stake anvil for each.
To begin the process a collar will be forge welded around the lower part of the vertical stem (1 1/2 " square mild steel).
The horizontal portion (also 1 1/2" square)* will be forged to a taper on both ends and forge welded to a tenon welded on
top of the stem. Reinforcing cheeks will be welded across this joint on either side.
The anvil face will be forged from leaf spring and welded along the top of the two horns, after which they will be
forged to final shape. The spring steel face should be hard enough without heat treating. The reinforcing cheeks
will offer space for touch marks, initials, or decorative ornamentation.
*As an option, the student may elect to use 1" square material, instead of the 1 1/2" stock. This method will require somewhat less "muscle".
You can look up Tom Latane' at his own website
We still have openings in Tom Latane's Stake Anvil Class October 8th, 9th & 10th.
Gearing up for next year; we are talking with Tom Latane', Bernhard Heer, Peter Ross, (Peter will be coming the middle of June)
Brad Nichols, James Vista, Roger Degner, Nathan Robertson, Mike Blue and Doug Wilson for some great classes in 2011.
For more information on any of the classes contact us at
jc-adams@msn.com, or call 507-289-4189 John or Carol Adams.
We are located in southern Minnesota. Tunnel Mill was an old water powered mill. Built in 1869.
Retired in the late 1920's..
Located on the Bear River north of Spring Valley, MN.
Wooded 50 acres with a stream that runs through it.
Now, it's a place for crafts people and friends to congregate, relax and learn some of our forgotten crafts.
Watch for more classes!!