Blacksmithing Fundamentals With Mark Manley Hand-Forged Tongs: The Basics and More

Learn one of the most essential skills in blacksmithing - making your own tongs. In this hands-on class, students will forge a functional pair of blacksmith tongs from start to finish. Tongs are a foundational tool in the shop, and learning how to make them will deepen your understanding of forging techniques, tool design, and efficient workflow at the anvil. Participants will come away with the skills and knowledge to design and forge tongs that will meet their own specific needs as a blacksmith.  This class will be 8 hours with a mixture of instructional time and forging time from 8 am to 5 pm with a 1 hour lunch break.  Class will focus on core blacksmithing skills including:   Drawing out and tapering Isolating material Punching and drifting Riveting and fitting moving parts Understanding proportions and jaw geometry Students will work with mild steel and be guided step-by-step through the process, with plenty of individual instruction. By the end of the class, each participant will leave with a completed pair of tongs and the confidence to make more on their own. Skill Level Suitable for smiths with some basic forging skills and knowledge, as well as intermediate smiths looking to strengthen their forging skills.   What’s Included All materials provided Use of shop tools and equipment Finished hand-forged tongs to take home Handouts with notes and dimensional drawings that you can reference long after the class is over. What to Bring Sturdy leather boots Cotton or wool clothing (no synthetics) Safety glasses (available if needed) The forging hammer that you are comfortable using. Whether you’re new to blacksmithing or looking to sharpen your fundamentals, this class offers a solid, practical foundation that carries over into every aspect of forging. Mark has been a serious part time blacksmith for over 30 years. He has shared his knowledge of the craft, demonstrating and teaching at Northwest Blacksmith Association conferences and demonstrating at CCAC Blacksmith Week events over the years. RELEASE OF LIABILITY: I hereby acknowledge that I have voluntarily enrolled in this CCAC Blacksmith Class. I acknowledge blacksmithing is an inherently dangerous activity that involves certain risks and dangers. I acknowledge and understand that those risks include the potential for bodily injury. Nevertheless, in full knowledge and understanding of the above risks, hazards, or dangers I freely, voluntarily, and knowingly agree to assume those risks. By purchasing this ticket I hereby agree to assume all responsibility for myself and my property and hereby release and discharge the Cascadia Center for Arts and Crafts; its members, employees, representatives, associates, independent contractors, and Board from any and all claims, demands, damages, expenses, and any other liability for injuries or damages of any description which may occur as a result of my participation in this event as a participant. This release shall be legally binding on heirs, my assigns, successors, estate, legal guardians, executors, and me. If I am agreeing to this agreement on the behalf of another person, I certify that all representations are true with respect to the participant and that I am the participant's legal guardian or custodial parent with full authority to bind the participant and myself to the terms of the Release. I have carefully read this Release and fully understand its contents, I am aware that in agreeing to this Release I am releasing and waiving certain rights that I may have and enter into this contract on behalf of myself and/or my family of my own free will. THIS IS A RELEASE OF LIABILITY. DO NOT PURCHASE THIS TICKET IF YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND IT OR DO NOT AGREE WITH ITS TERMS. Please email info@cascadiaarts.org if you have questions. Class Cancellation and Registration Policy If the minimum enrollment of three (3) students is not met at least one (1) week prior to the scheduled class start date, CCAC reserves the right to cancel the class without obligation, upon timely notice to the instructor. Registration closes one (1) week prior to the class start date. If the minimum enrollment has been met, late registration may be permitted with instructor approval. Students seeking to register after the deadline must email CCAC to inquire about availability.