Vol 25 No 1 - New England Blacksmiths
Transcription
Vol 25 No 1 - New England Blacksmiths
To discover, to help January 2005 New England Blacksmiths VOL. 25 NO. 1 Our 27th Year 1978-2005 Neil Mansfield’s iron work, which took 2nd place in the competition at The Fitchburg Forge-in, October 9th. Neil is a shop teacher at Assabet Valley Vocational School in Marlborough, MA (see the Fall issue of the “Hammer’s Blow”.) “My work is seldom forged with 100% black iron. I like to bring life into my work by blending metals such as bronze, copper, & stainless steel” (From Neil’s artist statement) He and his students were a large part of the event and the N.E.B. was represented, also. See article on page 10 For the Competition, “Life along the River Bank” Inside this issue: 10-11 Fitchburg Forge-In Page, 12-14 Propane Workshop 2 BOD & contacts 15 Demo Trailer update 3 President’s Message 16 Gate Workshop in ME & Norm’s Puzzle 24 Tailgate sales 17 Norm’s Ring Maker 25-29 By-Laws, Proposed 4 Spring Meet & Around N.E. 5 Treasurer Reports 18 Tribute to Bill Gichner 6-9 Our Fall Meet 19 Pine Cone how-to 21 Bits & Pieces 22 Membership Forms 23 Video Library 20 Tom’s Treadle Hammer Winter 2005 Visit us on line www.newenglandblacksmiths.org Page 1 www.newenglandblacksmiths.com New England Blacksmiths Updated Contact information for NEB officers and directors Owen Bostrom- President 99 Chase Hill RD Ashaway, RI 02804 Phone: 401-377-2611 [email protected] Rick Korinek- Vice President 46 Joseph Road Framingham, MA 01701 Phone: 508/320-7425 shop 508/877-8815 home [email protected] Ted Jones - Secretary & CT Rep. 722 Raymond Hill Rd Oakdale, CT 06370 Phone: 860-848-7101 [email protected] Tim Blanchard - Treasurer 18 Hayes Ave. Beverly MA 01915 Phone: 978-927-3546 [email protected] Marc Godbout, Membership 170 North Shore Rd. Derry, NH 03038 Phone 603-548-8771 [email protected] Larry Stilwell- NH Rep. 102 Chester Road Fremont, NH 03044 Phone: 603-895-3281 stilwell@briarwoodfarm. Tom Ruelke– NH Rep. 86 Orchard Hill RD Littleton, NH 03561 Phone [email protected] Fred Mikkelsen - RI Rep & Editor 23 Waterman Dr. N.Scituate, RI 02857-2036 phone: 401-647-3086 [email protected] Jim Crothers- RI Rep. 953 Tuckertown RD Wakefield, RI 02879 Phone [email protected] To help them do the best job of representing you, let them know what you think, need, and hope for the NEB! Ed Grove- Me Rep. 828 Haley Town Road Brownfield, ME 04010 Phone: 207-935-2262 [email protected] Chris Caswell- VT Rep. 24 1/2 Pomeroy St. Burlington, VT 05401 phone: 802-660-8248 [email protected] James Fecteau- VT Rep. 1735 Main Rd. Huntington, VT 05462 Phone: 802-434-3871 [email protected] Jay Cadero- MA Rep. 54 William ST Walpole, MA 02081 Phone [email protected] Jack Daniel- MA Rep. 70 Cinderella Terr. Marstons Mills, MA 02648 Phone [email protected] David Hageman - CT Rep. 6 Dickinson Rd. Colchester, CT. 06415 860-267-0659 [email protected] Letters to the editor, articles, technical tips, tools for sale, or other materials which furthers these ends, will be considered for publication in this newsletter. The New England Blacksmiths disclaim any responsibility or liability for damages or injuries as a result of any design, construction, manufacture, use or other activity undertaken as a result of the use or application of information contained in the newsletter of the New England Blacksmiths. The New England Blacksmiths, an affiliate of the Artists-Blacksmith’s Association of North America, is devoted to the preservation and advancement of blacksmithing. Winter 2005 Courtesy of the Balcones Forge Bob Menard- ME Rep. 56 Warren Ave. Suite 106 Portland ME. 04103 Phone: 207-878-2217 [email protected] Page 2 Some pay their dues when due, Some pay when not due, Some never do, How do you do? $20 to NEB Membership P.O.Box 58 Beverly, MA 01915 If you haven’t got “around to it” yet! Thanks to all Contributors to this issue: Add your name to this list Become a contributor! Tim Blanchard Ralph Sproul Rick Korinek Neil Mansfield Patrick Thornton Jim Ellis Bob Menard Norm Champlin David Court Tom Reinertsen And others to whom I apologize for leaving out! Editor Next newsletter deadline: March 15th, 2005 New England Blacksmiths President’s Message – January 2005 Well here we are with the holidays behind us looking toward the events and uncertainty of the New Year. Your NEB leadership is beginning the process of planning for our Spring Meet, which will be over the weekend of June 3, 4, and 5 at Brentwood in NH. We will be doing things with a slightly different format this year and we hope it will be all the more interesting. Upcoming newsletters will bring you more details. Your BOD has had to take over the running of this meet because no one was able to step forward to do so. While we will gladly accept any help I also want to encourage you to consider having one of our meets in your own neck of the woods, or to simply run one at a place like Brentwood. We have had several different formats for meets in recent time so don’t let any set format be your guide. We actually have “Meet Guidelines” a resource that will guide you, step by step, through putting on one of these events successfully. Speaking of meets in general, I have to say that I have never been to a bad one with NEB. I guess we’ve had a few bad moments, but overall they have been good experiences. The people that have taken the lead have done a remarkably good job and it often has been one or two people doing all the prep work. I would say that most of them had never attempted such a thing before either. It is a lot better if there are more that participate and I want to really encourage that. No one person has to know everything (and can’t by the way) so there is no reason to be intimidated into not helping out. We recently did a meet at the South County Museum in RI and we had a great support group around the lead planners. Many people undertook small parts of the responsibility and nobody bore an undue burden. A great way to get to know people is by working with them. We have many future meets open so how about some ideas to try; starting in the Fall of 2005. Anybody willing to take the hook? The BOD is also working on finishing up the revisions to the By-Laws. I hope they will be provided to you in this newsletter. We are forging forward with the new budget, seeing about getting some new items in our clothing and do-dads line, and the other business of NEB. Things overall for NEB are good. Local activities seem to be percolating along. There was a great gas forge burner-building workshop in RI led by Ralph Sproul and Marc Godbout and hosted by John D’Abate, and another group got together at Jim Fecteau’s shop to make some improvements to our NEB demo trailer equipment. The pictures of these were great and I am looking forward to actually seeing the new work. As always, I encourage you to contact your state representatives or myself with your ideas and thoughts for the good of NEB. Owen Bostrom Do you just belong? Are you an active member, the kind who would be missed? Or are you just contented that your name is on the list. Do you attend the meetings and mingle with the flock Or do you stay away and criticize and knock. Do you take an active part and help the work along Or are you satisfied to be the kind that just belong. Do you ever go to visit or call a member who is sick Or leave the work to just a few and then call them “the clique”. Winter 2005 Page 3 There is quite a program scheduled that we’re sure you’ve heard about We’ll appreciate it if you too ,will come and help us out. So come to the meetings often and help with hand and heart Don’t just be a member but take an active part. Think this over’ friends, you all know right from wrong Be an active member and do not “just belong.” Thanks to the newsletter of the Victoria, Canada Hand-weavers and Spinners Guild New England Blacksmiths The NEB Spring Meet will be held at our “Home away from Home” New England Blacksmiths Teaching Center and Recreational Grounds Brentwood, NH On June 3rd, 4th, and 5th, 2005 It will showcase the talents of several demonstrators from within the NEB, a plethora of talent, never before gathered, for your edification and enlightenment. The likes of which we have never been able to assemble, in all our history! OK, enough of the P.T. Barnum in me, but this will be a sort of reunion/ celebration of the New England Blacksmiths, lots of good ideas and advice, Camaraderie, and an all around good time! Watch for additional information! ( If you’d like to help out– contact a State Rep.) Fred Mikkelsen, Editor Around New England Connecticut 29 January – Mystic Seaport at 2:00 pm in Mystic, CT. FREE admission starting at 1:00 pm. You will have one hour to explore the Museum before the meeting, which will start at 2:00 pm in the Shipsmith Shop. If you are not a CBG member, contact Bill Scheer to get on the admission list. (860)536-0679 26 February – CBG will meet with the Southern Bunch at South County Museum, Narragansett, RI. 19 March – Berkshire Blacksmiths (see below) 26 March – Susan Madacsi will host CBG at her shop on Bayview Avenue, Stonington, CT. 9:00-3:00 (demos start at 10:00) Bring a lunch. 860-857-8768 or [email protected] 16 April – Connecticut Eastern Railroad Museum, Willimantic, CT invites CBG for on-going Demo’s at the site, 10:00-3:00. $2 or $3 fee for entry. Contact Steve Melady, 860-228-2185, [email protected], see www.cteastrrmuseum.org The Danbury Railway Museum will host a blacksmith meet at the DRM site: this will kick off the opening of the new forge at the site: this forge is the last known New Haven Rail Road built forge: it was built at the Ceder Hill yard in New Haven CT The dates will be May 21-22-05 , Skip Kern (203) 866-3451 Winter 2005 Page 4 Western N.E.—Ct, Ma, NY 19 March – Berkshire Blacksmiths spring meet at Greg Phillips’ Shop, 937 Rt 17K Montgomery, NY. 845-4575671. Look for a sign “Assure Sign” on the south side of Rt 17K. For info: Jim Stapleford, 845-657-8212. [email protected] Maine Feb. 19 & 26, NEB Gate workshop @ Bob Menard’s, Portland ME ( see page 16) New England School of Metal Work Dereck Glaser’s classes: Jan 14-17, Tool forging; Feb 11-14, Botanical Forms; Feb 25-28, Beginners class; Mar 18-21, Found & Forged/ Vessels & Sculpture Call (888) 753-7502 Rhode Island, Southern Bunch @ SCM Narragansett, RI The 4th Saturday of each month, Jan. 22, Feb. 26 (joint meeting with the CBG), Mar. 26, April 23. We start at 10:00 am and run until 3:00 pm or so. Help beginners, demo, and work on your problems. Woodstove warms the shop and a big pot of soup or stew and we almost never lock the door. Call Owen Bostrom, Jim Crothers, or Fred Mikkelsen for contact info. (See page 2) Vermont Fred, NEB members might be interested to know that I have added some more video clips to my web site - chasing, twisting, forge welding and a few others. Nothing most members haven't seen before but may be interesting. They are listed halfway down the "Smithing" page in the Basic Techniques section. www.lucianaveryblacksmith.com Lucian Avery New England Blacksmiths New England Blacksmiths Financial Report for Year 2004 Year 2003 Actual 6,260 1,640 9,184 5,566 1,022 67 43 367 24,149 Revenue Membership Renewals New Memberships Spring/Fall Meet Income Brentwood Teaching Ctr. T-Shirt, etc. Sales Interest Income Misc. Income Scholarship Income Total Revenue Year 2004 Proposed 6,500 1,500 8,500 5,100 2,000 100 0 200 23,900 501 5,689 5,493 2,092 4,290 500 168 769 369 751 0 0 3,758 150 24,530 Expenses Membership Renewal Spring/Fall Meets Brentwood Teaching Ctr. T-Shirt, etc. Purchases NEB Newsletters Insurance Bank Charges Director’s Meetings & Exp. Office Supplies & Postage NEB Website Scholarship Fund Misc. Expense Trailer Project Professional & Audit Total Expenses Gain or Loss (381) 500 6,000 5,100 2,100 4,500 700 150 450 350 1,000 500 0 750 150 22,250 1,650 Year 2004 Actual 4,700 1,200 7,377 2,010 992 45 225 50 16,599 487 7,355 2,905 625 3,050 500 145 463 249 392 0 252 724 0 17,147 (548) Respectfully submitted, Tim Blanchard, Treasurer NEB Fall MeetBarnstable County Fairgrounds Massachusetts Income Expenses ---------- -------------- Registration Iron in the Hat Swage Raffle Mini Anvils Totals Profit 3,283 266 190 105 ----------$3,347 $497 Food/Catering Demonstrator Printing/Postage Swage Block Misc. Mini Anvils 1,633 1,050 275 103 196 90 ——— $3,844 Tim Blanchard, Treasurer Winter 2005 Page 5 When you see this guy, tell him what a great job he’s doing, for all of us! FWM New England Blacksmiths Cape Cod Hospitality: 2004 Fall Meet Thanks to Jim Ellis, all the Cape Cod Smiths, Jack Pennell, and above all John Little! I have a few comments to make on the fall meet held at the Barnstable Fairgrounds that I’d like to share with those unfortunate enough to have missed it. First off – Nice job by all involved in setting up the site on the cape. The Cape Cod Smiths really put on a great meet, Well done!! John went on to explain his success with design to lay in the “exaggeration of a feature or detail”. What he meant by that for example: was when you bent something the hard way at it’s thickest or upset point…….your getting something that is going to catch someone’s eye. Making your transitions at the most dramatic stock size change is going to lend itself to the best flow into the rest of your piece……. And give a nice “balance” even if it isn’t symmetrical. I thought that was very well put when I saw what he meant applying it to his off plane scrolls and large sculptures he had built. John fields a question Nancy keeps the fire burning brightly John Little really put on a nice slide show on Friday night. His humor and approach to doing things a “bit different” or “out of plane” really made for some beautiful pictures of his work and an eye-opener to another tangent something can run off on in metalworking. When he mentioned the “outside the press” dies he’s made for his hydraulic press and told how he could bend a 7 foot scroll (forged from 2” solid stock) with little effort and not run into the frame or ram of the machine………. the only thing I can say is “Thank You John Little!” - what a great idea!! John had designed a set of three point “pincers” that worked 5-6 inches outside the press dies which left the entire plane of bending open………. He even went on to explain how you could work out on long pieces and not hit the floor by canting them upward to remain in space while you worked, then bend them in when you get to them. This kept him from tipping his press over as the long stock tried to pole vault the machine when the stock hit the floor. Winter 2005 Page 6 John also showed us the benefits of having a great gal to work with. Nancy, his wife, was such a treat to watch work, knowing just when to pull iron for his project, remind him of what was in the fire, and her ability to strike or assist on any process was evident this couple has had it together for a long time. And strikes when needed! What can you say after seeing the air hammer that Jack Pennell designed, built, and brought to the meet for John to use? The pass thru hole, the single beam and attached anvil, the anvil fastening system, New England Blacksmiths the pneumatic plumbing, the guides and ram design all were way above any of what us mere mortals could build, but the limit switch trigger on the hammer might just win an award for being one of the most clever approaches to solving a problem I’ve seen in some time. Setting up Jack’s hammer I took many pictures of Jack’s design as it is a fine example of how a Kinyon style hammer can head off from the conventional set of plans that ABANA sells - and become a really well built, safe, and hard hitting hammer for your shop. Jack also took the time to make the same size dies for his hammer that John Little runs on his Beaudry in Nova Scotia, Canada. This allowed John to show us his really well designed clamp Ralph Sproul holding! cage & the drop in/hardy hole style spring swage holder for his tooling. I also enjoyed the approach that John used in making his tooling. He looks for more exaggerated stock movement, so the way he made his forming tools extra deep for his sculptural base making, or his approach to welding his lollypop Winter 2005 Page 7 style handle to his ball bearings for a more dramatic sinking of the tool – was another real nice approach to fastening the tool to the handle. John went on to show us this beautiful flower he had See more of Becky’s work made and in the Anvil’s Ring how it was done… then came the confession that his daughter, Becky Little had actually come up with it when playing with a piece of wire in his shop…….. everyone enjoyed that point, as well as what a great idea it was, and how simple it was to make a flower this way. Of course everyone paid close attention to the beer bottle opener that John made to look like a dragon that would hang up on the wall, or sit conveniently on your table awaiting the next refreshing brew. John also told a story about traveling all around the world and finding this great idea for making an air assist forge draft/air supply which he sketched out for us. He said he found this in his travels and when he asked this From John’s web site. smith about it………the fellow had taken the idea from one of his neighbors about 8 miles down the road from John in Nova Scotia! ………once again bringing it full circle. I really enjoyed John Little’s demonstration, his story telling, and his tool making ability to take the iron just that little bit further – to get the results you’re after. Thanks John Little! We sure appreciate the demo you did for us, and I’m sorry for all those who missed it, there was a lot of great information in that presentation. Ralph Sproul – Bear Hill Blacksmith New England Blacksmiths Working on the “dragon” Getting fired up The crowd pays close attention Dick Menkello Winter 2005 Jim Ellis (Crew master), Bob Jordan (again) and Bob LaPoir Page 8 New England Blacksmiths We had good clean fun in the sheepshed Dinning hall set for supper Some of John’s tools & tooling Some work had to be done by hand! The power hammer was rested on occasion A trusting spouse who strikes with accuracy and diligence! These pictures came from several members and I must admit I’ve lost track of who’s are who’s. So thanks to you all, is the best a befuddled editor can do as an apology. FWM Winter 2005 Page 9 New England Blacksmiths NEB Crew Demonstrates at Fitchburg Forge-In by Rick Korinek Neil Mansfield & Student, James Millar On Saturday, October 9, the City of Fitchburg hosted what it hopes to be the first annual European styled blacksmith festival. Under the sun of an Indian Summer day, three groups of blacksmiths demonstrated for the public. Minuteman International, a wholesale supplier and importer of forged metal work, was the co-sponsor of the event and provided $2,250 in cash awards for forging competitions. Student, Cecilita Felix Lisa Wong, city of Fitchburg & Bob Philips Student, Sasha Gaulin Mark Brundage Three master blacksmiths from Poland impressed the crowd as they created a long stemmed rose and several other detailed sculptural pieces. Just before the start of the fair, a commuter van full of students and a stake truck with equipment arrived from Assabet Valley Technical High School. After quickly unloading numerous forges, anvils and tools, 10 students began working a variety of metalsmithing process including forging and cold working copper by sinking it into wooden forms. The Assabet Valley crew was popular with spectators both for their enthusiasm and the fact their crew included 4 female students. The students were assisted by their teachers, Neil Mansfield and Mark Chludenski. Winter 2005 Page 10 Students, John Bonnett’s,back side, and Mike Paglieroni In the foreground Five members of the NEB used the group’s newly equipped trailer and portable forging station to demonstrate. The group set out to make a grille to be installed in a permanent display in the City’s River Front Park. The design consisted of hand forged fish swimming among vertical seaweed to which the fish were riveted. The group consisted of Bob Philips, Mark Brundage, Carl Tappan, Steve Mylady and New England Blacksmiths Assabet students work myself. We used pure iron for the fish and did some double striking to spread out the tail and body areas. We will get together at my shop to finish the piece and send it to the city to install. For some of us, it was obvious it was the first time we attempted to made fish. But by the second attempt, we were able to create some unique and stylized specimens. Our fish were based on a scaled up version of the small fish that Ray Ciemny makes. There were 2 parts to the forging competition. Prior to the festival, smiths submitted pieces which will become part of a permanent decorated screen in the park. The theme was “Life Along the River Bank.” Six panels were submitted, including several by the Polish smiths, a local blacksmith and Neil Mansfield. The work was judged by local artisans and Neil’s grille won second place. A total of $1,750 in prize money was awarded for the 4 top finishers. In the competition for best live demonstration, the judges awarded prizes to each of the 3 groups who demonstrated. The NEB crew decided to donate the $167 it won to the NEB trailer project. On balance, the Fitchburg Forge In was a success, I wish to thank you all, NEB board and members for your interest in young folks forging. I feel it's the most important task that any organization can do to keep their membership growing into the next generation. I have signed up a few of my outstanding students this year to become members of NEB and ABANA. Even my graduate students have stayed in touch with me and forging. They too, became members as well. I annually nominate several students for memberships in the NEB, paid for by the school system. Neil Mansfield due to staffing cutbacks at the city, this year’s event was scaled down from a 3-day to a 1-day event. In spite of this, the event was well attended and received by the public. Other activities included music by several live bands and booths staffed by local artists. The city and local organizers were very encouraged and are planning to host a larger and more organized festival next Fall. I encourage you to watch for an announcement and consider demonstrating at next year’s event. Rick Korinek “-but my favorite is blacksmithing, there is just something enchanting about it. I slowly gain experience with the brake drum and hair drier forge I have at home. I love what I do and hope to be able to do it ’till the day I die! “ John Bonnett “I am lucky to have had such an amazing experience as I did during our trip to the Fitchburg Forge-In. It was really worthwhile for me to be able to do what I love in front of so many people, some of whom had never heard of blacksmithing!” Cecilita Felix What did the young people think of the day? (just a sample of the notes written by them) “My experience at Fitchburg was great! It was cool to see the other blacksmiths and their equipment. I definitely think I’d go again if given the opportunity.” Mike Paglieroni Winter 2005 Page 11 “My experience—was amazing. I love blacksmithing and there is nothing I love more than showing people what we do.—the reaction of viewers, when they realize a woman is creating the art that they see. The joy you can bring others through art is interminable.” Sasha Gaulin New England Blacksmiths Propane Burner Workshop at Johnston, RI Fred Mikkelsen organized a “Burner Workshop” at John D’Abates shop on the 13th of November. Those NEB members that attended came from Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. Marc Godbout had previously built a few firebrick and rammable refractory gas forges, so he stepped up to inform people of his experiences, a little information on safety, burner design (including the one we were 1 gallon = .13368 cubic feet OR 1 cubic ft. = 7.48 gallons So, If a 100 lb tank of propane holds approximately 20 gallons of Liquid Propane then that would be approximately 2 ½ cubic feet of liquid x expansion rate from liquid to gas of 270 x 25 cubic feet of air = a fireball the size of 16,875 cubic feet or a shop with a 10 foot ceiling that is 35’ x 50’ building in size for that single 100 lb cylinder in an accident. Now you can clearly see why the fire marshal and your local propane installation contractor does not want a 400 gallon tank which can be filled with 300 gallons (40 cubic feet of liquid propane) – so it MUST be kept a minimum of 40 feet from a building. That would be a fireball 16 times the size of the 35 x 50 shop. The bottom line is RESPECT this fuel and: Half the workshop “crew”. going to build that day – and why), and on into the different gas forge designs one could consider. His talk was educational and very informative. One of the topics that Marc covered was the expansion of propane. Handouts were given – the potential of what’s really in one of those hundred pound tanks was made more obvious by this following write up: Liquid Propane expansion example: There is a reason that the fire marshal demands certain rules be followed for Propane installations. There is a reason for the safety caps, the amount of pressure allowed to be run in a building, and that tanks MUST be kept upright, etc. This is why: Liquid propane expands about 270 times from its pressurized volume. It takes 5 cubic feet of oxygen to make that 1 cubic foot of gas burn at a neutral flame, so it would therefore take 25 cubic feet of air to get that neutral burn with air containing only 20% oxygen. Winter 2005 Page 12 1) Never allow liquid propane to enter your shop 2) Never store these tanks on their sides 3) Keep safety caps in place when tank is not fastened securely 4) Use only propane compatible materials. (the Mercaptain <stink> in propane will deteriorate most rubbers and seals) So use propane hose, T grade torch hose, etc. 5) Never allow someone to “overfill” a propane tank – this is single greatest cause of accidents with liquid propane. Only 75% of a tanks volume should be filled. 6) Use the correct size lines and hoses for your equipment 7) PUT SHUT OFFS EVERYWHERE – so you can get to one in an emergency (Example: broken hose) there are FIVE locations you want to place these. a. b. c. d. At the tank At the outside entrance to the building At the regulator manifold At the forge – (I use a quick coupler there – which is a shut off of sorts) e. At the burners New England Blacksmiths threading the mig tip into the fuel supply tube easy, Marc then covered different forge designs and having built two styles he covered making a forge from firebricks, and also how to build one using ram-able refractory. He showed the different types of brick (insulating and hard brick), and explained how he’d “formed” his ram-able refractory forge. The next part of the workshop was to build the burners themselves and Fred Mikkelsen had already acquired all the fittings, plumbing parts, and hardware so that 17 burners could be made from start to test firing in two hours. Marc and Ralph Sproul led this part of the workshop The “Professers of gas! beause they had built many burners in the past. Fred had also ordered a case of Michael Porter’s book “Gas Burners for Forges, Furnaces, and Kilns”. This is a tremendous resource book for those thinking of building a gas forge and wanting to know more about it before just diving in. John D’Abate’s lathe came in handy for and the set screw holes in the square headed pipe plugs to set the in-feed tubes and hold them in place during operation. Most of the parts and fittings were sourced from two places. Fred chose to get the T’s, mig tips, choke plates, and flares from Larry Zoeller, and the other plumbing parts and materials needed from McMaster Carr. Fred went to local hardware suppliers to find the coupling nuts, bolts, and small springs to hold the choke plates to the burner. Mark Kellog was nice enough to bring his welding helmet and take care of all the welding that the burners required. Bob Lynch Mark Kellog Marc Godbout prepared a real nice hand out for more material resources and sites to check out on the web for those who had access to computers. These sites showed other options for gas forges that one could consider building. Ralph, Owen, at the lathe. This was his list that he handed out: boring the infeed tube holes into the square headed pipe plugs, and Rick Korinek brought along a nice hand tapping machine that made the task of Winter 2005 Page 13 ON THE NET The following are some resources you might find useful on the Internet. New England Blacksmiths Ron Reil's Forge and Burner Design: http:// reil1.net/design1.shtml This is the “granddaddy” of propane forge design. Take your time to read all of it, as it's got lots of info in all its nooks and crannies. Anvilfire: http://www.anvilfire.com/ All sorts of blacksmithing info, including stuff on gas forges. The forums are good places to ask questions if you run into problems. TheForge: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/ listinfo/theforge This is really an email mailing list, similar to a forum, on all blacksmithing topics. You ask a question and get plenty of knowledgeable answers. The website is really instructions on how to join. .... Even though there were 4 inches of snowfall that November morning, it didn’t deter anyone from showing up. John had plowed the driveway well ahead of anyone arriving, had coffee made and bagles on hand for those attending. The fire was lit in the wood stove - so a warm and casual day was had by all. Bud Heaton came by at noon and Fred told him that Wayne Reetz was looking for a post vice. Bud’s reply was “I think I’ve got one left!” ……… The crowd roared. IFORGEIRON: http://www.iforgeiron.com A nice collection of projects, tips, and tricks. Gas Forge Collection: http://www.iron-to-livewith.com/iron/gasforgethbs.phtml A neat collection of pictures of very different gas forges. Tales of a New Blacksmith: http:// ironringforge.com/ OK, a little plug for Marc's website. But if you follow the forge project pages, you'll get some different ideas on building your own. Would you buy a post vice from this man ?! Carl Backman,Jack Pennell, Owen Bostrom, Bob Lynch, & Joe Chadwick test fire a burnerAOK Zoeller Forge: http://www.geocities.com/ zoellerforge/ Larry's a blacksmith who likes helping blacksmiths. He has lots of burner building info and stocks parts for the side-arm burners you'll build in this workshop. Jay Hayes: [email protected] Jay is another blacksmith who like to help. This is an email address. Just ask for his price list and you'll get a list of everything you need to build a forge; plumbing, sheet metal tubes, regulators, etc. McMaster-Carr: http://www.mcmaster.com/ A great source of parts for future burners, and just about anything plumbing, electrical, mechanical, Ralph’s idle circuit, set up Winter 2005 Page 14 New England Blacksmiths Demo Trailer update: The Demo trailer committee had a workshop at Jim Fecteau’s Shop in Vermont on Dec 19th. Our goal was to make the club’s Demo Trailer easier to use, load, and keep clean and organized for the members using it. It was amazing how 1/3 of the time went to discussing “creative crating” as we talked about ideas and how to approach them - but by the end of the day I think we had a pretty nice set up where things will be stored & packed in the trailer for hauling. We got the forge “storage locators” down, the anvil and two wheel truck location figured, then the vice "drawer" under the forge. Lucian came up with a great idea for storing the axle for the forge and we completed that as well. the lack of background noise in their videos. Here's the sketch of the front shelf unit we discussed for making at our next workshop as time ran short on completing all the work. We have all the materials we need - so we just have to set a day to finish it up in Jan or Feb when our schedules lighten up. We figured this shelf unit could store the spare tire, the hand crank blower, the new 3” high temp flex-hose, the jack and lug wrench, light adapters, trailer forms, and other display items from rolling around the trailer during transport and damaging the plywood sides. Anyone wishing to help out (that can easily find their way to Vermont for the next work day) contact the Demo Trailer Committee about helping out. Jim Fecteau (his contact info can be found on page 2), Chris Caswell, Lucian Avery, Bob Bordeaux, Ralph Sproul & Ian Eddy are the members of the committee. Ralph Sproul A Tip from H. Patrick Thornton; At Ray Ciemny’s demo in Groton he told us about the "Sharpie" double ended markers. I found one I like better because it gives a more controlled line. Its the "Pilot" Paint Marker extra fine. The "Pilot" paint markers I found in art supply stores. Happy drawing! The NEB’s new electric forge blower came out nice and quiet! All those members looking to video the upcoming demos will be pleased with Winter 2005 Page 15 A Tip from the Morrell’s; We have for ages been all thumbs when it comes to sharpening tungsten electrodes for our TIG. My son, Justin came up with a positive solution to this problem. By using a variable speed cordless drill with a quick chuck as your holder, slowly rotate the electrode against the grinding wheel for clean sharp tips. Be sure to do this from the upper side of the grinding wheel to prevent grinding dust from entering the cordless drill. If you do the whole pack of electrodes at one time, then you always have fresh electrodes to use. Thanks Justin! New England Blacksmiths “Meet me by the Garden Gate” The seed catalogs have started to arrive and gardeners are dreaming of all the great things they’ll grow in the Spring sunshine. What are blacksmiths thinking about? Garden Gates! ! Hi Fred, There will be a 2 day program at the “Brentwood North” Teaching Center (my shop in Portland, ME ) 2 successive Saturdays on Feb 19 & 26. The program will be the garden gate. Day one will include materials, tools, and creation of parts highlighting traditional techniques. Day two will be an assembly phase. One gate will be created and the completed product will be donated to the iron in the hat at the Spring Meet. The cost will be $70.00 per person, for both days combined, for hammer participants. There will be a $30.00 per person, both days combined, charge for observers. I am limiting the hammer participants to 8 with no limit on observers. The hours will be 9 to 4. Morning refreshments will be supplied. There are a considerable number of eating spots with in a mile of the shop for lunch. RSVP required by 2/13, payment due on day one. Directions to the shop are Maine turnpike I-95 to exit 48. At the end of the exit bear right. At the second light take a right on to Warren Ave. Notice the Home Depot also on the right. Travel 1 1/2 mile and the Ball and Chain Forge is on the right. It is after Portland Self Storage which is on the same side of the street and across from the Lifestyles Fitness Center. The street address is 56 Warren Ave Thanks, Bob Menard, ME Rep. Once upon a time, a blacksmith forged 12 of the letters of the alphabet. He forged the letters “A” to “L”. Smiths charged by weight of material used in those days, and 11 of them weighed exactly the same. But one was different and was either lighter or heavier than each one of the others. With only a balance beam scale he had to find the odd weighted letter. He used the scale only 3 times to find the odd letter, and then he knew if it was lighter or heavier. Norm asks, “How did he do it?” Champlin family blacksmith shop, Cold Spring, New York Your Editor will award a ridiculously inadequate prize to the first correct answer received. FWM Another Blacksmith Logic Puzzle from Norm Champlin who jokingly defines himself as “Self Appointed New York Rep.” Winter 2005 Page 16 New England Blacksmiths N A I L 3/8 pipe arbor 3/4 pipe twister pliers Fuller just To prop For photo Norm Champlin’s Horseshoe Nail Ring Maker 3/4 pipe slides over 3/8 pipe which is bracketed to be either vise or bench mounted. The nail is “kinked” with the homemade swage and a fuller of 1/2” rnd. It is then clamped to the end of the 3/8 pipe (Norm is using small vise grips), the “twister” is slid forward so the “finger” slides over the nail shank (near to the head) and then it is rolled into a ring by the “twister”. If a helix, instead of a ring is formed, he uses 2 of these bending forks he has made of flat stock, with one being held in the vise. (I wonder if a tab with a hole corresponding to the bevel on the nail head (pritchel punched) and then slotted might hold the nail better than the pliers?FWM” Twister One of two forks for Trueing up the rings Norm says the kids love these things. I know Bud Heaton and I often are asked to make nail rings and decline, because we know once we start the kids will line up out the door and we won’t get any blacksmith- Finger ing done! He also sent me an idea from a summer program he did with kids from a church group. The kids had been given play money to spend on several different booths and he was in charge of a unique one. He made up 10 different small branding irons. The “business ends were about 3” long and they were all symbols associated with Christianity. The kids would purchase wooden disks (4” dia. Cut from a log and about 3/4” thick with a small hole drilled for a lanyard) at one booth and then bring them to Norm. They would choose one of the designs, color coded to the respective iron, and, depending on their age, he would help or would brand their disk. This was part of a Church Fair and his spot was very popular and he says, “Somehow I got through the day without anyone getting burned and there was a lot of wood branded that day. Which is to say I was well paid, in fake money!” Winter 2005 Page 17 New England Blacksmiths December 8th, 2004 To All, The flags of Blacksmithing hang at half-staff today. Our most lovable curmudgeon, hard headed salesman, and friend/helpmate to many has passed from our midst. Any of us who "did business" with Bill have great stories to tell- Please tell them often and freely. For in that way he will always be with us. "Hey, what do you need today?" Bill, may you rest in peace. Fred Mikkelsen, New England Blacksmiths, editor Bill Gichner, 1913-2004 Fred, You probably have heard about Bill Gichner’s death last Wednesday (December 8th, 2004). I was aware of his medical problems but he seemed to be doing well, for 91, and I spent 13 days with him in October when we took the trip with Peter Happny and Mack Beal to MOMM. Bill was like a teenager on that trip; eating well and saying he felt great, getting away from home and on the road again. Of course he never complained, ever. The three of us, went down to Washington DC to say our last goodbye to our long time friend. There were about 100 people in attendance, all this only 26 hours after Bill’s death. Nol Putnam’s eulogy was very tender and true to Bill. Peter also said a few words about his long time friend. David Court Isaiah, chapter 45, verse 12 The smith with the tongs doth worketh in the coals, and fashioneth it with hammers, and worketh it with the strength of his arms : yea, he is hungry, and his strength faileth : he drinketh no water, and is faint. King James Bible Winter 2005 Page 18 New England Blacksmiths Lory Wedow’s 20 minute Pine Cone From a Berkshire Blacksmiths Winter meeting Several years ago. Winter 2005 Page 19 New England Blacksmiths Winter 2005 Page 20 New England Blacksmiths Odds and Ends I thought this spark testing page might be useful to people, I found it looking for something completely different: <http://www.ohiosteel.org/homepage/Spark%20Testing%20for%20Mystery%20Metals.pdf> Steve Smith, Brownfield, ME Walmart makes and sells Simple Green and it works fine as the surfactant in Superquench. I have used it for several years when I could not find the Basic I. It seems to have all the properties that are needed. Frederick Faller - I wanted to pass on some info that I worked up on Annular Cutters (cutters for making tenons) from Milwaukee Electric Tool. I talked to a technician there and he gave me the size cutters for making the different tenons. 13/16 gives 1/2 tenon,15/16 gives 5/8, 11/16 gives 3/8, 9/16 gives 1/4 I get them from MSC George Martell I have been reading quite a bit lately about making your own firepot and would like to share a couple of ideas with you. I come from a welding and pipefitting and general fabrication background of 30 plus years, and am still a beginner as far as blacksmithing goes. It seems most commercial firepots are cast, and to me this would be for long life over a steel pot. I would think that using a heavier thickness in steel like 3/8 instead of 1/4 plate would help a lot. I like the idea of the 3/4 at the base. You might get more life out of the pot by using 285 Gr.C, or maybe 516 Gr.70 "boiler" plate as opposed to A36. Also I think you may get a better blast pattern if you bevel the sides and ends of the blast slot to maybe 60 degrees, or the approximate angle of the ends and sides of the pot. if you want to get really creative, I think you could fit a clinker breaker ball and rod in the blast pipe without too much problem. It seems that if you didn't do a lot of heavy coke forging and welding, this type of firepot would be a good alternative. As soon as the weather warms a bit, I'm thinking of trying the pot you mention in the Jan. newsletter. If you'd like I'll send along some pictures when I'm done. Steve Poehlman At the left is a clever idea from Paul Morneault, it is a stop block for his cutoff saw. The handle is welded to a disk drilled eccentrically so a downward push on the lever locks the stop in position against the channel iron web that forms his table. This is worth the time to fabricate and much better than relying on “C” clamps or vise-grips. It lifts free when not needed. From “the Anvil’s Ring” 1988 Winter 2005 Page 21 New England Blacksmiths NEW ENGLAND BLACKSMITHS MEMBERSHIP FORM Dues are $20.00/yr. (Canadian: $32.00) due each January 1. Send checks to: NEB Membership, 170 North Shore Rd. Derry, NH 03038 Name Date Business name, if applicable Address Phone ( ) City ___________________________ State__________ Zip___________ Fax ) ( E-mail Web Site Occupation__________________________________________________ Year of birth Check forging skill: ___Beginner ___Intermediate ___Advanced Blacksmithing areas of interest Check all that apply: ___Teach Blacksmithing ___Teach Related Metal-working Skills Which skills? ___Do Public Smithing Demos ___Demo Fee (Amount:_________) ___Require Travel $ ___Would hold NEB Office ___ABANA Member Where did you hear of us? Comments: Winter 2005 Page 22 New England Blacksmiths The EXPANDED N.E.B. VIDEO LIBRARY, 2003 The following tapes are for rental only: “Power Hammer Forging” 5 tapes 2 hrs. Each By Clifton Ralph The following Tapes may be Rented or copies purchased: “Treadle Hammer” By Clay Spencer Tape #1 Introduction, Making tools, "Wizard head Knocker" Tape #2 Shovels, Quench Formula, "Dogwood & Iris Blossoms Tape #3 Candle Holder, Tool making, Discussion Decorative panels. Tape #4 Tempering Ranges, Small Bowl, Free Standing Cross. Tape #5 Working Flat Stock, Making tools. “Woodwrights Shop” By Roy Underhill Tape #1 Making an Axe, Chisel from Bog Iron, Anderson Forge Tape #2 making a forge from Brake drum, Anvil From Junk Yard steel, Spike Dogs, Heat-treating Chisel, Roy and Peter Ross make a Cant Hook. “Forge and Anvil” Vol. #1 By Elmer Roush Beginning Blacksmithing - 5 projects, Thumb Latch, Colonial American Hardware and Fixtures "New Additions, Tapes" NOMMA ED. Foundation 1997 Video series “Basic of Forging”, 1 hr 30 min. “Learn how to Forge” By Bill Epps Tape #1 Forged Animal heads- Dragon, Long horn Steer, Ram, Horse. Tape #2 Making Tongs- Three joints, Twisted, Traditional, Champion. Three types of Jaws- Rat tail, Wolf, Bolt Tape #3 Leaves and Flowers- Five leaves: Cut Vein, Folded Raised Vein, Peapod, Oak. Five Flowers: Trumpet, Morning Glory, Dogwood, Calla Lilly, Rose Bud Tape #4 Bugs and Birds- Scorpion, Snail, Dragonfly, Hummingbird, Swimming Swan, Winged Swan. Winter 2005 “The Power Hammer Cycle” How to cure the Bang-Tap-Miss Blues (1 hr) By Dave Manzer Page 23 George Dixon @ Cassidy Bros Forge 1990 Bud Oggier 1991 Francis Whitaker @ South County Museum 1991 Tapes #1 and #2 Francis Whitaker, A Yellin-esque Quatrafoil Peter Renzetti @ Camp Leslie 1991 Tapes #1 and #2 "Uncle Bud Roast” 1992 Rob Gunter, @ South County Museum 1993 Rob Jordan, @ Orleans, MA, 1994 Frank Turley, @ Stratham, NH, 1995 Carl Close and Bob Compton, @ Manchester, NH, 1996 Rob Lyons @ Brentwood, 2001 Suffolk Latch, H+L and Butterfly Hinges L-tec Welding + Cutting Systems Safety-composite (45 min.) Audio Tape by Walt Scadden "How to survive in Business as an Artist, Craftsman or Creative Person." Rental fee is $40/ tape. This "fee" is returned to the member upon its timely return to the library assuming it has not been damaged in any way. Tapes that are available to be purchased can be done so for a fee of $10/ tape, which includes postage. This is a new service to our membership and gives everyone the opportunity to build their own blacksmithing library. Make checks payable to: NEB and forward to: Tom Perkins NEB Video Librarian 141B North St. Georgetown, Mass. 01833 I can be reached either by phone or email. Phone # 978-352-2735 Email [email protected] An idea: Buy a video from a commercial source and then after you’ve watched it enough times to have memorized it and driven your family crazy, donate it to the library! New England Blacksmiths Tailgate Sales Area Rusty stuff from here to there Leonard Masters is selling his 25# new style LG hammer. This is the later style which is powered from the back and has dovetail ways for the ram. It's in good condition but without a motor. The price is $2500.00. Serious buyers, only, should contact Leonard @ 603-228-6337. from David Court Fred Mikkelsen has 6 copies of “Gas Burners for Forges, Furnaces & Kilns” by Michael Porter, for sale. Price: $18.00 postpaid, check or money order to him @: 23 Waterman Dr North Scituate, RI 02857-2036 In search of a blacksmith: from Ted Jones Dear Mr. Jones, My name is Liz Gaughan and I am from a company called Realistic ReEnactments LLC in Ct. I came across your name through the New England Blacksmith's website. I was wondering if you might be able to help me, or know someone who can. My company produces the Park City Renaissance Faire in Ansonia, CT (west of New Haven) and we are currently looking for a blacksmith who would be willing to come and demonstrate for two consecutive weekends in Ansonia. The dates are July 8-10 and July 15-17, 2005. Would you please let me know if you know of anyone who might be interested? Our number is (203) 8886204. Thank you for your time, and I hope to hear from you. Liz Gaughan, The Park City Renaissance Faire Larry was big help to us for the workshop, so this is the least we can do to thank him. FWM, editor Fred, I would like to ask you to put an ad in your newsletter for me if possible. The information below is pertaining to my business, Zoeller Forge. On my website there are several burner plans and simple air hammer modifications plans that you can use to print in your newsletter also. The plans may be found at www.geocities.com/zoellerforge <http:// www.geocities.com/zoellerforge> Zoeller Forge 4312 Lahnna Dr Louisville State: KY Zip: 40216 Phone: 502-361-0706 Email: [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> Website: www.geocities.com/zoellerforge <http:// www.geocities.com/zoellerforge> Description: Supplier of stainless steel burner flares to fit the Reil , Side arm, Mongo and T-Rex burners. He carries a full line of quality propane regulators, hoses and fittings. He sells all the parts for the burner designs in Michael Porter's book both separately and in kit form. He has 1" and 2" Durablanket 2300 degrees ceramic blanket and a refractory coating, Plistx 900F, that will replace ITC 100. Call for pricing. Thanks in advance, Larry Zoeller Don’t Forget, When Making Your Vacation Plans! Go to www.caniron.ca/registration.htm Or e-mail: [email protected] It is a chance for the NEB to help our neighbor affiliate, the Maritime Blacksmiths Association and have a great time doing it. Next years ABANA Conf. Is way out in Washington State and this is right next door! Fred Mikkelsen, Editor Winter 2005 Page 24 New England Blacksmiths What follows are the proposed changes to the N.E.B. By-Laws. These changes are to bring us into compliance with IRS rules for non-profit corporations. Sections have been rearranged for these purposes and will be confusing if compared to the sections they replace. A vote will be taken on June 4 th, at the membership meeting to be held at Brentwood, NH Please bear with us, more than 150 man hours have gone into getting this right! The By-Laws Committee Proposed revisions to BY-LAWS by BY-LAWS Committee and NEB BOD October, 2004 Changes indicated by bold underline type or parenthetical bold type. [Please note that in many instances the order of the articles are rearranged with or without a change in text.] NEW ENGLAND BLACKSMITHS BY-LAWS Revised October 15, 1999 CORRECTED April 11,2002 ARTICLE I - NAME 1. The name of this Association shall be “New England Blacksmiths”. The official abbreviation shall be “N.E.B.” 2. Seal: The seal of the Association shall be as more particularly shown in the following impressions and in addition to the letters N.E.B., may also include the full name of the Association. ARTICLE II- PURPOSES & OBJECTIVES The “New England Blacksmiths” is organized exclusively for educational purposes, including but not limited to, the dissemination of information on blacksmithing and ornamental metal-working to the general public, to encourage and facilitate the training of persons interested in the art of blacksmithing and ornamental metal-working, to provide educational materials of practical significance for those persons interested in the art, and to organize and promote seminars, demonstrations and exhibitions for its members and the general public illustrating the art of blacksmithing and ornamental metal-working. ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP Qualifications: Any person engaged in, allied to, or interested in the art of blacksmithing or ornamental iron-working may become a member by filing an application for membership on forms approved by the Association and the payment of one year’s dues. (Changed to read: Eligibility: Any person engaged in, (allied to - omitted) or interested in the art of blacksmithing or ornamental metal-working may become a member by filing an application for membership on forms approved by the Association and with the payment of one year’s dues.) ARTICLE -IV FISCAL YEAR The fiscal year shall coincide with the calendar year. ARTICLE - V MEMBERSHIP DUES Annual dues for the coming fiscal year shall be fixed by a majority vote of the members present at an annual meeting. Such dues shall be paid by January l~ for the ensuing year. Dues will not be prorated when paid during the year and will be credited for the year in which they are paid. ARTICLE - VI- DEFAULT AND TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP 1. To minimize expenses of supporting nonpaying members (newsletters, meeting notices, etc.) by reducing the period non-renewing members will be “carried” from one year to three months. Also, allows reinstatement upon payment. (Changed to read: To minimize expenses of supporting nonpaying members (newsletters, meeting notices, etc.) non-renewing mem- Winter 2005 Page 25 New England Blacksmiths bers will be “carried” for three months. Annual membership can be reinstated upon full dues payment during the year.) 2. The Board of Directors, after notice and providing opportunity to be heard, may terminate the membership of any member for conduct or activities which are detrimental to the purposes and objectives of the Association. (Changed to read: The Board of Directors, after providing notice and opportunity to be heard, may terminate the membership of any member for conduct or activities which are detrimental to the purposes and objectives of the Association.) ARTICLE - VII MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS 1. Time and Place: The time and place of the meetings shall be fixed by the Board of Directors. To the extent possible, they shall be held in conjunction with the Spring and Fall N.E.B. Conferences held in one of the New England States. (Changed to read: Annual Meeting: There shall be an annual meeting of the general membership at a time and place fixed by the Board of Directors. To the extent possible, such annual meeting shall be held in conjunction with the fall N.E.B. conference. The membership shall conduct the election of the Directors and Officers at the Annual Meeting.) 2. Annual Meetings: There shall be an annual meeting of the general membership at a time and place fixed by the Board of Directors. To the extent possible, such annual meeting shall be held in conjunction with the fall N.E.B. conference. At such meeting the membership shall conduct the election of the Directors and Officers. (Changed to read: Time and Place: The time and place of Association membership meetings in addition to the Annual Meeting shall be fixed by the Board of Directors. To the extent possible, they shall be held in conjunction with the Spring and Fall N.E.B. Conferences held in one of the New England States.) 3. Voting: Each member shall have one vote and shall be entitled to vote by proxy in writing to the Secretary. Matters will be decided by a majority vote of members attending the meeting and written proxy votes received. (Changed to read: Special Meetings: Special meetings of the members, for any purpose, unless otherwise prescribed by statute or by the Articles of Incorporation, may be called by the President and shall be called by the President at the request, in writing, of a majority of the Board of Directors, or at the request, in writing, of a majority of the members. Such request shall state the purpose or purposes of the proposed meeting.) 4. Special Meetings: Special meetings of the members, for any purpose, unless otherwise prescribed by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation, may be called by the President and shall be called by the President at the request, in writing, of a majority of the Board of Directors, or at the request, in writing of a majority of the members. Such request shall state the purpose or purposes of the proposed meeting. (Changed to read: Voting: Each member shall have one vote and shall be entitled to vote by absentee ballot. Matters will be decided by a majority vote of members present and written absentee ballots received.) 5. Quorum: A majority of the Members present in person shall constitute a quorum which is necessary to transact business at all meetings of the members. (Changed to read: – Ten percent of the total paid membership shall constitute a quorum which is necessary to transact published business at all meetings of the members. For business matters, motions initiated from the floor shall require two thirds of the membership present to transact business.) ARTICLE - VIII- DIRECTORS 1. Number and allocations of the Board of Directors: The Board of Directors shall consist of 17 people. All shall be members of N.E.B. The officers of N.E.B. shall be:- President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary and Membership Coordinator. Remainder of the Board shall consist of 12 Directors. Each New England State (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island & Vermont) shall have 2 Directors as representatives. In those cases where a person has more than one position, the “one person-one vote” rule will prevail. (Changed to read: Number and allocation of the Board of Directors: The Board of Directors shall consist of 17 members of NEB, to wit: 12 State Representatives (2 from each State representing each of the 6 New England States) and 5 Officers. Officers shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Membership Coordinator. Each Board member may cast only one vote, regardless the number of Board positions held.) 2. Duties of Directors: The prosperity, affairs, activities, and concerns of the organization shall be vested in the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may: (a) Print and circulate documents and publish newsletters. (b) Communicate with other organizations interested in blacksmithing. (c) Employ agents. (d) Devise and execute such objectives of the organization as to best protect the interest and welfare of the members. Winter 2005 Page 26 New England Blacksmiths (Changed to read: Duties of Directors: The prosperity, affairs, activities, and concerns of the organization shall be vested in the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may: (a) Print and circulate documents and publish newsletters; (b) Communicate with other organizations interested in blacksmithing; (c) Employ agents; and, (d) (e) (f) (g) Shall devise and execute such objectives of the organization as to best protect the interest and welfare of the members. Approve an annual budget as proposed by the Treasurer and/or Finance Committee. Additional duties may be set by policy as best suit the interests of the Association. Publish a Treasure’s financial report to the membership twice per year – every two quarters – preferably at the Spring and Fall conferences and/or – by newsletter.) 3. Election of Directors: At the annual meeting the membership shall elect by a simple majority members of the Board of Directors to serve for a period of two (2) years. Elections will be staggered, so that six (6) Directors, one from each New England state are elected each year for a two (2) year term. The members of the Board of Directors shall, upon election, immediately enter into the performance of their duties and shall continue in office until their successor shall be duly elected and qualified. (Changed to read: Election of Directors: At the annual meeting the membership shall elect members of the Board of Directors to serve for a period of two (2) years. Terms will be staggered, so that six (6) State Representatives, one from each New England state, are elected each year for a two (2) year term. The members of the Board of Directors shall enter into the performance of their duties upon the completion of the annual meeting, and shall continue in office until their successor shall be duly elected. The new Board of Directors shall meet immediately following an annual meeting to transact such business as may properly be presented to the meeting.) 4. Method of Election: At the Annual Meeting, the Nominating Committee shall present nominations for the various Officers and Directors to the Membership. In addition, nominations from the floor will be accepted. The Members shall elect the Officers and Directors from such nominations by a majority of the Members present and absentee ballots received. This election shall be by paper ballot. 5. Notice of Election: Sixty days prior to the election, notice shall be published and shall include the following: a. The date of the election; b. the election process, and; c. the names and contact information of the members of the Nominating Committee. Notice of the election shall be published on the associations website, if any, and by mail to the membership. 6. Vacancies: Vacancies occurring on the Board of Directors shall be filled by the vote of the majority of the remaining Directors. Such replacement will be for the state in which the vacancy occurred. (Changed to read: Vacancies: Vacancies occurring on the Board of Directors shall be filled by the vote of the majority of the remaining Directors. Such replacement will be for the position in which the vacancy occurred and for the balance of the vacated term.) 7. Removal: At a meeting of Members called especially for that purpose, any Director may be removed, with just cause, by a vote of two-thirds 8. Attendance: Each Director shall attend at least one meeting per year, or show just cause for his absence. (2/3) of the Members entitled to vote. (Changed to read: Meetings of Directors: The Board of Directors shall meet at such times as deemed necessary by the President, but preferably in conjunction with the Spring and/or Fall N.E.B. Conferences. Notice of such meeting, if held at other than the Spring or Fall N.E.B. Conference, shall be given by telephone, facsimile or mail (including electronic mail) ten days in advance of such meeting. 9. Meetings of Directors: The new Board of Directors shall meet immediately following the annual election to transact such business as may properly be presented to the meeting. In addition, the Board of Directors shall meet at other times as deemed necessary by the President, but preferably in conjunction with the Spring N.E.B. Conference. Notice of such meeting, if held at other than the Spring N.E.B. Conference, shall be by telephone, facsimile or mail ten days in advance of such meeting. (Changed to read: Attendance: Each Director shall attend at least two Board of Director meeting per year, or show just cause for his/ her absence.) 10. Quorum: Seven (7) Members of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. 11. Action by Consent: Any action of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting, if a written consent to such action is signed by all members of the Board of Directors and filed with the Secretary. Action and consent may be made and given by electronic mail. 12. Meetings by Telephone, Electronic Mail, or Similar Communication: The Board of Directors may participate in a meeting or conduct business by means of conference telephone, electronic mail, or similar communications equipment by means of which all Directors participating Winter 2005 Page 27 New England Blacksmiths in the meeting can hear each other or read one another’s written e-mail messages, and participation in such meeting shall constitute presence in person by such Director at such meeting. ARTICLE -IX - OFFICERS 1. Designation: The officers of the Association shall consist of a President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary and a Membership Coordinator. The Treasurer and Secretary may be combined in the single office of SecretaryTreasurer. The President may also appoint a Recording Secretary as may be appropriate for any meeting. 2. (Changed to: Election of Officers: At an annual meeting, the membership shall elect officers to serve a term of two years. The newly elected officers shall enter into the performance of their duties upon the completion of the annual meeting, and shall continue in office until their successor shall be duly elected.) 3. Term: The term of office shall be two (2) years or until a successor is duly elected 4. Vacancies: Vacancies, unless provided for herein, shall be filled by the Board of Directors and Officers and the member so appointed shall complete the original term. Changed to read: Vacancies occurring within the Officers shall be filled by a vote by the majority of the remaining Directors. Such replacement will be for the vacant position and cover the remainder of the term of the position vacated. 5. President: The president shall preside at the meetings of the Association and of the Board of Directors and shall be a member ex-officio, with the right to vote, of all committees except the Nominating Committee. He or she shall also, at the meeting of the Association, and at such other times as he or she deems proper, communicate to the Association or to the Board of Directors, such matters and make such suggestions as may in his or her opinion tend to promote the prosperity and welfare and increase the usefulness of the Association and shall perform such other duties as are necessarily incident to the office of the president and as the Board of Directors may prescribe. The President shall be allowed to make committee appointments. 6. Vice-President: In the case of the death or the absence of the President, or of his or her inability from any cause, to act, the Vice-President in the absence of the President, shall perform the duties of the office of the President and shall perform such other duties as the Board of Directors may prescribe. 7. Secretary: It shall be the duty of the Secretary to give notice of all meetings of the Association and of all committees, and to keep a record of their doings; to conduct all correspondence and to carry into execution all orders, votes, and resolutions not otherwise committed; to notify the Officers and Directors of their election and Members of the organization of their appointment on committees; to furnish the chairperson of each committee with a copy of the vote under which the committee is appointed and, at his or her request, give notice of the meetings of the committee; to prepare a report to the regular meetings of the transactions and conditions of the Association and generally to devote his or her best efforts to forwarding the business and advancing the interest of the Association. In case of absence or disability of the Secretary, the president may appoint a Secretary pro-tem. 8. Treasurer: The Treasurer shall keep an account of all monies received and expended for the use of the Association. He or she shall deposit all sums received in a bank or banks; and make a report at the Annual Meeting or when called upon by the President. Funds may be drawn only upon the signature of the Treasurer, or President, or President’s designee, if the Treasurer is not available. The funds, books and vouchers in his or her hands shall at all times be under the supervision of the Board of Directors and subject to its inspection and control. Provisions shall be made for a periodic audit at the discretion of the Board of Directors. At the expiration of his or her term of office, he or she shall deliver over to the successor all books, monies and other properties, or in the case of absence or disability of the Treasurer, the President may appoint a Treasurer pro-tem. The offices of Secretary and Treasurer may be held by the same person. (delete – “at the same time”.) The Treasurer may upon approval by the Board of Directors negotiate for bank loans on behalf of the Association. 9. Membership Coordinator: The Membership Coordinator shall keep accurate records of the membership, including, but not limited to, names, address, and membership status. He or she will also coordinate the yearly renewal reminder and generate member rosters, mailing labels, name tags, etc., as needed. The duties of the Membership Coordinator may be combined with that of the Treasurer. ARTICLE - X - COMMITTEES Standing Committees: 1. Nomination Committees: The Board of Directors will appoint from the membership, a Nominating Committee for both the election of Directors and Officers at the Annual Meeting. The Secretary shall cause to be published a list of nominees in the Association’s Newsletter or provide such other reasonable notice, including publication on the Association’s Website and in writing, mailed to the last re- corded address of each member, together with notice of the time and place of the Annual Meeting. 2. Finance Committee: To work in concert with the Treasurer in the preparation of the budgets and to oversee the financial status of the Associa- Winter 2005 Page 28 New England Blacksmiths tion. 3. Other Committees: The President or the Board of Directors may create committees as necessary. 1. These by-laws may be amended, repealed or altered in all or part by majority vote at any duly organized meeting of the Association, with the ARTICLE - XI- AMENDMENTS exception of any requirements of State or Federal Statutes. The proposed change shall be mailed to the last recorded address of each member at least twenty (20) days before the time of the meeting which is to consider the change, or published in the newsletter, and on the Association’s Website, if any, preceding such meeting, or in the notice of such meeting. ARTICLE - XII - INDEMNIFICATION 1. Each person who has been, now is, or shall be a member of the Board of Directors or an Officer of the Association shall be indemnified by the Association to the extent of its funds and as permitted by law, against all expenses reasonably incurred by him or her, in connection with any action, suit proceedings or the settlement or compromise thereof, or payment of any judgment or fine resulting wherefrom in which he or she may become involved by reason of any action taken or omitted by him or her, provided that such action was taken or omitted in good faith for the Association. ARTICLE - XIII - DISSOLUTON 1. At a meeting of the members called for such purpose, and only on thirty (30) days notice, in writing, to their last recorded address, the Association may be dissolved by a vote of two thirds (2/3) of all members present or represented by written proxy. 2. Upon dissolution of the Association of the termination of its activities, the assets of the Association remaining after the payment of all its liabilities shall be distributed exclusively to one or more organizations organized and operated exclusively for such purposes as shall then qualify as an exempt organization or organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954. as amended. 3. No part of the net earnings of the Association shall inure to the benefit of any Member, Director, or Officer of the Association, or any private individual (except that reasonable compensation may be paid for any services rendered to or for the Association in carrying out one or more of its purposes), and no Member, Director, or Officer of the Association, or any private individual shall be entitled to share in the distribution of any of the corporate assets on dissolution of the Association. 4. Exempt Activities: Notwithstanding any other provision of these by-laws, no Director, officer, employee, agent or other representative of the Association shall take any action or carry on any activity by or on behalf of the Association not permitted to be taken or carried on by an organization exempt under the aforementioned IRS provisions Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 or applicable regulations pertaining to said Code, as amended, or any successor statute or regulations thereto, or by an organization to which deductible contributions may be made, pursuant to Section 170 (c) (2) OF SAID IRS Code and regulations, as amended, or any successor statute or regulations thereto. Amendments: 1. As Required in IRS Memo to N.E.B. dated June 30, 1993 Notwithstanding any other provisions of these articles, the organization is organized exclusively for one or more of the purposes as specified in Section 501 (c) (3) or corresponding provisions of any subsequent tax laws. 2. No part of the net earnings of the organization shall inure to the benefit of any member, trustee, director, officer of the organization, or any private individual (except that reasonable compensation may be paid for services rendered to or for the organization) and no member, trustee officer of the organization or any private individual shall be entitled to share in the distribution of any of the organization’s assets on dissolution of the organization. 3. No substantial part of the activities of the organization shall be carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation (except as otherwise provided by IRC 501 (h) or participating in, or intervening in (including the publication or distribution of statements), any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidates for public office. 4. In the event of dissolution, all of the remaining assets and property of the organization shall after payment of necessary expenses thereof, be distributed to such organizations as shall qualify under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or corresponding provisions of any subsequent Federal tax laws, or to the Federal government or State or Local government for a public purpose, subject to the approval of a justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New Hampshire. 5. In any taxable year in which the organization is a private foundation as described in RIC 509 (a), the organization shall distribute its income for said period at such time and manner as not to subject it to tax under 1RC4942, and the organization shall not: (a) engage in any act of self-dealing as defined in IRC 4941; (b) retain any excess business holdings as defined in IRC 4943; (c) make any investments in such a manner as to subject the organization to tax under IRC 4944; or, (d) corresponding provisions of any subsequent Federal tax laws. END- Winter 2005 Page 29 New England Blacksmiths NEB Stuff by Mail Get T-shirts, sweatshirts and other good stuff featuring our great logo By sending a check or money order made out to new England blacksmiths Mail to: Why wait for the next Meet, Neb Stuff c/o Dondi LaRue P.O. Box 58 Spring clearance specials! Ashby, MA 01431-0058 Please remember to tell us what you want, how many and what size. We will try to honor color selection, but color depends on stock at hand. Tell us your second and third color choices. Chose T-shirts in 100% cotton or 50/50 cotton/poly blend, let us know. Total your order and remember to add postage. Payment to: New England Blacksmiths. Please include your mailing address and phone number. Before 9:00pm, you can call Dondi at (978) 386-0066 T-shirts Adult 100% cotton . . . . . . . . . . . . .$10.00 “ “ “ long sleeve . . $15.00 Kids. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 6.00 Adult 50/50 cotton/ poly . . $7.50 now only $5.00 Sweatshirts Adult crew neck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $18.00 Adult hooded . . . . . . . . . . . $25.00 Others Postage for the average order $4.00 FIRST CLASS MAIL New England Blacksmiths Fred Mikkelsen, - Editor 23 Waterman Dr. North Scituate, RI 02857-2036 Patch, NEB logo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 3.00 NEB caps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $12.00
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