Events

 

 

 

 

Upcoming Events

When: January 11th, 10 am to 4 pm
Where: 2282 Floradale Rd, Floradale, ON
What: Robb Martin of Thak Ironworks will be demonstrating at his shop on January 11th for our first event of the new year.
Remember to bring safety glasses and an item for Iron in the Hat.

Demonstration, Hammer Ins and Workshops.

Our monthly meetings take on a few forms.  We have meetings held at members’ shops where they will demonstrate a new skill or technique.

We also have “Hammer Ins”, usually held at a heritage village.  At these meetings you are welcome to bring your forge and anvil and set up for the day. Forge what you like – learn and share with the group.

Occassionally we will bring in a well known smith from further afield to do a speical demonstration for our group or run a workshop.

Our Events are Listed Below

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[Thak Ironworks]

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Thak Ironworks. January
When: January 11th, 10 am to 4 pm
Where: 2282 Floradale Rd, Floradale, ON
What: Robb Martin of Thak Ironworks will be demonstrating at his shop on January 11th for our first event of the new year.
Remember to bring safety glasses and an item for Iron in the Hat.
Hammer-Ins. Country Heritage Park. Ongoing.

Country Heritage Park Blacksmiths Drop-ins 2024 Schedule Organized by: Halton Forges Collective

Location: 8560 Tremaine Rd, Milton, ON

Follow Halton Forges Collective on Facebook for last minute updates and changes.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1722932884539453

All events run from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Saturdays. host Franco.  Apr 20, May 25, Jun 15, Jul 27, Aug 17, Sep 21, Oct 19, Nov 16(weather dependant)

Sundays. host Tom.  Apr 28, May 26, Jun 23, Jul 28, Sep 29, Oct 27, Nov 24(weather dependant)

Hammer-Ins. Country Heritage Park. Ongoing.

Country Heritage Park Blacksmiths Drop-ins 2024 Schedule Organized by: Halton Forges Collective

Location: 8560 Tremaine Rd, Milton, ON

Follow Halton Forges Collective on Facebook for last minute updates and changes.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1722932884539453

All events run from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Saturdays. host Franco.  Apr 20, May 25, Jun 15, Jul 27, Aug 17, Sep 21, Oct 19, Nov 16(weather dependant)

Sundays. host Tom.  Apr 28, May 26, Jun 23, Jul 28, Sep 29, Oct 27, Nov 24(weather dependant)

Mark Puigmarti. Sparks Will Fly Forge. January

When: January 13th, 10 am to 4 pm

Where: Mark Puigmarti of Sparks Will Fly Forge

402 Reach St, Port Perry

What:  Mark Puigmarti will be kicking off the 2024 OABA events at his shop in Port Perry! Mark will be demonstrating work related to currrent projects.

Bring your safety glasses and an item for Iron in the Hat if you can and we’ll see you there! 

Ryan Belanger. Waldies Blacksmith Shop. February

When: February 10th, 10 am to 4 pm

Where: Waldies Blacksmith Shop

16 James St, Milton

What:  Ryan Belanger will be demonstrating how to make more components of the ABANA Level 3 grille.

Bring your safety glasses and an item for Iron in the Hat!
Adrian Legge. Two Smiths. March

When: March 2nd, 10 am start

Where: Two Smiths

8 Grand Ave, Kitchener, ON

What:  Adrian Legge, an instructor from Hereford College in England, will be visiting Two Smiths and demonstrating for OABA on March 2nd. Adrian is a phenomenal teacher, and this is an event you won’t want to miss!

Sean Stoughton. Country Heritage Park. April

When: April 13th, 10 am to 4 pm

Where: Country Heritage Park

8560 Tremaine Rd, Milton

What:  Sean Stoughton will be demonstrating how to make a hammer out of wrought iron with steel faces forge welded on at Country Heritage Park in Milton. Sean is an excellent demonstrator and blacksmith with a strong focus on traditional methods and techniques. He was the resident blacksmith at Doon Heritage Village in Kitchener for a number of years, and is still very involved with the village.

Country Heritage Park also hosts frequent drop-ins throughout the warm months for the public to use the forging facilities. Come out April 13th or contact OABA for more details on how to participate.
Bring your safety glasses and an item for Iron in the Hat if you can and we’ll see you there!
John Newman. Newman Forge and Pattern. May

When: May 11th, 10 am to 4 pm

Where: Newman Forge and Pattern

178 Princess St #180, Hamilton

What: John Newman will host a meeting at his shop where he will demonstrate the process of forging some of his hardie tools and some of the other industrial work he does under his Massey power hammer.  He will also talk about patternmaking and might have a CNC milling machine running.  This is a chance to see the inerworking of a unique patternmaking / blacksmith shop.

Bring your safety glasses and an item for Iron in the Hat if you can and we’ll see you there!
Francois Racine. Glengarry Pioneer Museum, Dunvegan. June

When: June 15th and 16th

Where: Glengarry Pioneer Museum

1645 County Rd 30, Dunvegan, ON

What: A weekend of Blacksmith demonstrations!
Hear the anvils ring as blacksmiths from across Ontario, Quebec and a few from the U.S.A. converge on Dunvegan.

Francois Racine will be teaching a class on forging a Spontoon. Other special demonstrations will include the use of a replica early 19th century military forge cart, wheelwright demonstration, the making of musket barrels, tools, and much more. Children’s activities, craft vendors and food will be available onsite.
This is a two day event with some camping available on site. Contact Pat Taylor for more info!
From Francois:
Hello I will be a demonstrator for the Dunvegan hammer-in in Ontario June 15-16. The subject will be a spontaneous French style late XVII early XVIII century based on the study I recently made of two period pieces.
I will share with participants the techniques to make the sheaths with wings and as the group progresses and the remaining time I will also show the principles to make the blade, the blade breaks and decorations. This will be a great fire welding exercise!
Note it’s a hammer-in, so it’s like a class, you also forge the pieces and I’m here to assist, supervise and answer questions!
If you wish to participate, please write to me at racine.francois@gmail.com to find out what tools to bring in addition to your basic coal equipment (coal forge, envelope and shaft). It is also possible to come as visitors to the site, without equipment by only paying for the entrance to the museum.
The cost is $200 per participant.
There are a dozen spaces available for this event, book early to ensure you have a place and make preparations easier!
Looking forward to seeing you there and sharing the pleasures of the forge with you!
Bonjour! Je vais être démonstrateur pour le hammer-in de Dunvegan en Ontario les 15-16 Juin. Le sujet sera un esponton de style français fin XVIIe début XVIIIe siècle basé sur l’étude que j’en ai fait récemment à partir de deux pièces d’époque.
Je vais partager avec les participants les techniques pour fabriquer les douilles avec ailettes et selon l’avancée du groupe et le temps restant je montrerai aussi les principes pour faire la lame, les brise lame et les décorations. Ce sera un bel exercice de soudure au feu!
Notez que c’est un hammer-in, donc c’est comme un cours, vous forgez également les pièces et je suis là pour assister, superviser et répondre aux questions!
Si vous désirez participer, merci de m’écrire à racine.francois@gmail.com pour savoir quels outils apporter en plus de votre équipement de base au charbon ( forge au charbon, enclume et étau). Il est aussi possible de venir comme visiteurs sur le site, sans équipement en ne payant que l’accès au musée.
Les frais sont de 200$ par participant.
Il y a une dizaine d’emplacements disponibles pour cet événement, réservez tôt pour être certains d’avoir une place et faciliter les préparatifs!

Au plaisir de vous y voir et de partager les plaisirs de la forge avec vous!

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Hammer-In. Westfield Pioneer Village. June

When: June 15th and 16th, 10 am to 4 pm

Where: Westfield Pioneer Village

1049 Kirkwall Rd, Rockton

What:  A weekend of Blacksmith demonstrations!

As part of the 60th anniversary celebrations for Westfield Pioneer Village OABA has been invited to participate in a hammer-in on June 15th and 16th. Set up is at 10:00am, and the village will open to the public from 12-4pm. Members and non-members are welcome, but please RSVP with Bob Young (shirley.y@xplornet.ca) if you plan to bring a forge so he can ensure adequate space is available.
Hammer-In. Kawartha Settlers Village. July

When: July 20th, 10 am start

Where: Kawartha Settlers Village

85 Dunn St, Bobcaygeon, ON

What:  This will be a hammer-in meeting held in conjunction with the garden tours in the village.  Bring your portable forge setup and work alongside other members.  Share techniques and knowledge.  If you don’t have a portable forge setup feel free to attend anyway.  Don’t forget to bring your safety glasses. 

Mike Armstrong. Delta Forge. September
When: September 14th, 10 am to 4 pm
Where: Old Stone Mill National Historic Site
44 King St, Delta, ON
What: We are excited to have the September OABA meeting return to Delta. For this year’s meeting at the Delta mill Mike Armstrong will be demonstrating how to forge and assemble a slider bolt. Mike works with his partner Megan Carter as full time blacksmiths in the Rideau Lakes region. Mike has an interest in historic hardware and enjoys replicating the ironwork in his collection.
Slider bolts were used mainly on doors, windows or shutters for security purposes. Mike will bring examples from his study collection to show different designs and functions. This project is half forge work and half bench work. The forge work will focus on forge welding spring steel to mild steel and the bench work will focus on the fitting and assembly of sheet metal parts to create the backplate and staples. Once assembled these bolts can be used vertically to lock a door, window or shutter and the spring would prevent the bolt from sliding open.
In the afternoon people are encouraged to take part in the hammer-in and light up a forge to make something. Lloyd will also demonstrate some leaf forging in Fred Flatman style. There are 2 forges at the Delta Mill shop and there is space out front if anyone wants to bring a portable forge.
Please bring an item for Iron In The Hat and safely glasses.
Pulled pork lunch by Lisa for a freewill donation.
Doug Morlock. Annual General Meeting. October.
When: October 19th 10 am to 4 pm
Where: 82 Main St N, Warkworth, ON
What: The October 2024 meeting which is also the Annual General Meeting of the Ontario Artist Blacksmith Association will be held at Douglas Morlock’s shop located at 82 Main St N, Warkworth, ON K0K 3K0.
The position of vice president on the OABA executive is open for candidates, members should have received an email with details. Please contact us if you are a member but have not received this email.
Doug will be demonstrating at the meeting, more details to follow!
Jim Wallace. Sharp's Creek Forge. November
When: November 16th, 10 am to 4 pm
Where: 36404 Huron Rd, Goderich, ON

What: Jim Wallace of Sharp’s Creek Forge will be demonstrating for the November meet. Jim is a very capable blacksmith with decades of experience and is one of the founding members of our blacksmith group.

Jim is also looking to sell his shop, interested parties should inquire directly.
Remember to bring an item for Iron in the Hat, and your safety glasses.
ChristKindl Market. December
When: December 5th to 8th, 10 am to 9 pm
Where: 200 King St W, Kitchener, ON
What:  Christkindl Market demo under the OABO banner will be held from Thursday Dec.5th to Sunday Dec.8th. We will be there from 10am to 9pm

We are very exited to have some of the Haliburton students helping out for the first time. They will be working beside OABA members Mick Smith, Dave Kritz, Dan Linkenheld, Bob Young, Sandra Dunn and Wolfgang Bleckert over the 4 days.

More information on the event can be found at:
https://www.kitchener.ca/en/arts-culture-and-events/christkindl-market.aspx

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