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Tunnel Mill Crafts Calendar, 2018

Revised: September 10, 2018

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2018 Classes and Events

Jeff Wagenaar, Recent "Forged In Fire" Winner
Jeff will teach his methods of producing Damascus Blades

August 11 and 12, 2018


Make Damascus (layered steel)
Ric Furrer-Door County Blacksmith

August 17, 18, and 19, 2018

Rick Furrer with Ulfberht style sword Rick Furrer at the anvil
We have been fortunate to be able to host Rick Furrer for the past few years and look forward to hosting him again in August of 2018.

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Rick says:
For a change of pace this year we will all make the same style of knife. The idea being that you all leave with a completed knife.
In the past there was less structure and as a result some knives were left unfinished.

This slab handle pattern-welded knife with 5" blade lanyard hole will cut well and look good doing it.
Slab handle Knife
No monster machete/sword/dagger/short sword blades allowed.... there simply is not enough time.

This fast paced class will take your from initial welding of a stack of steel through rough forging, rough grinding, heat treating, final grinding and gluing on the wood handle.
We will use gas and coal forges and liberal amounts of grinding. I will help with the tricky bits.
One of the evenings I will weld up a large pattern-welded billet under the big hammer.
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Here's just a recap on what Rick has done previouly;
-We have created the damascus steel of the early eastern world.
Damascus Knife
-Some attention was paid to Wootz Crucible steel and it will be a continuing part of his upcoming workshop.
Wootz is the steel used in many of the famous Persian and Indian sword blades and research into its creation spawned the field of Microscopy in Europe.

-With the steel you make, you can make a tool of your choice, (Send blue prints to us prior to class) a chisel, gouge, or cutting edge tool.
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Some images from Ric's 2017 Class:
Grinding a Knife Blade at one of the 2 X 72 belt Grinders Grind Knife Blade Blade showing tang preparation Chalk Talk on Damascus Gluing the Handle on a Knife Blade
Ric Furrer 2017 Tunnel Mill Class Picture
Ric Furrer 2017 Tunnel Mill Class Picture

We have and will continue using the $500# Little Giant Hammer.
Knife Billet in Gas Forge Hot Knife Billet
Hot Knife Billet Going to the 500 pound Trip Hammer
Work for the 500 Pound Little Giant Power Hammer

Check out Ric Furrer at http://www.doorcountyforgeworks.com/
Watch the video at http://www.youtube.com/user/RicFurrer

Tunnel Mill Gathering Registration
October 5, 6 & 7, 2018

Join us at Tunnel Mill for our Annual Mill Gathering and to help us celebrate John Adams. In honor of John I am hosting a complimentary Hog roast for our evening meal on October 6th! Please let us know if you are able to attend.
Bring a lawn chair just in case!

Demonstrations on Saturday and Sunday;

Forge welding and other demonstrations, Dave Mariette and Myron Hanson are on the agenda;
other demonstrations will be announced.

Whisk corn broom class taught by Chris Nibbe..

10:00- 12:00 or 1:00-3:00
Hand tied simple whisk corn broom class $15.00

Bring your quilt to hang up in our Quilt barn.

Please bring items for show and tell.

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Registration for the weekend.. Please let me know if you will attend by September 28th, 2018
Camping available on grounds
Name_________________________
Phone or e-mail__________________
Weekend admission $5.00 per day/10.00 for weekend
Meals available for the following costs..

Friday evening potluck

Saturday October 6, 2018

9:00 Donuts & coffee $3.00
12:30 Lunch-soup & sandwich $7.50
3:00 Wine & Cheese (bring a bottle to share)
3:00-6:00 Music by Jelly Wine
6:00 Dinner---Hog Roast (complimentary)

Sunday October 7, 2018

8:00 Biscuits & gravy $6.00
12:30 Chili, cheese & chips $7.50

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Send Registration to:
Carol Adams
4505 Morris Lane NE
Rochester, MN 55906
507-289-4189 or 507-990-1504
NO PETS PLEASE

Tom Latane'
Hack Saw class

October 12, 13 & 14*, 2018

Consider staying late sunday or over nite so you can advance further on your project.
An evening meal will be provided.
Hacksaw Tom Latane
Students will construct a hacksaw based on seventeenth century examples.
This style has a rack at the end opposite the handle, in which a carriage, made to take the blade
laid vertically or horizontally, is moved by a screw to supply tension. The rack will be stabilized by a scroll or acanthus leaf.

Parts will be forged, filed and chased. Some parts will be brazed in the forge.
Decorative techniques demonstrated will include piercing, chasing in solid material, and filing.
Participants may prepare wooden handles prior to the class or make them to fit later. I may bring some turnings to sell.

Directions to Tunnel Mill: Tunnel Mill is located 20 miles south of Rochester. Take Hwy 63 out of Rochester to Stewartville, turn east on Hwy 30 to County Highway 1 (approx 5.5 miles). Turn south on County Highway 1. Follow CO HWY 1 6.5 miles to Tunnel Mill on the left side of CO RD Call about camping on the grounds. 507-378-4983 or 507-289-4189, Carol Adams. Lodging available in Spring Valley, 5 miles further south on CO RD 1.
Shady Rest 507-346-2625---Spring Valley Motel & Suites-507-346-7788

Class Registration Form

Class Contact Information

For more information on any of the classes contact us at
jc-adams@msn.com, or call 507-289-4189 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!!

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