Blacksmithing Basics 1 with Coal Forge (8-session Series)

Join blacksmithing instructors from Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center for an eight-week dive into the basics of blacksmithing at Dodge’s forge at Shepard Farm! This course is designed to ignite your passion for blacksmithing and introduce you to the seemingly endless ways of shaping iron with fire and hammer. You’ll gain basic knowledge of iron and its characteristics, an understanding of the dynamics of forging using a coal forge, and the ability to safely shape iron.
By the end of this class, you’ll have covered the basic forging processes, including drawing and tapering, drifting, punching, twisting, and setting shoulders. You’ll develop those skills through projects such as quick tongs, scribe/center punch, round punch/drift, basic heat treating, hooks, multi-hook rack, trivet…and you’ll know what a clinker is!
Attendance at the first class session is required—important safety information will be presented. No experience necessary. All materials and consumables included in class cost.
Age: Adults 18+
Cost: $450
Register online: www.dodgenaturecenter.org/event/blacksmithing-basics-1-with-coal-forge-8-session-series-2026/2026-05-21