Blacksmithing Basics: Gun to Garden Trowel

Scraps is our nonbinary metal shop quing who has a passion for taking action at Artisan’s Asylum to make our space even more iconic. They are passionate about increasing access to Artisan’s Asylum and have been instrumental in developing opportunities like the metal shop residency program. Scraps has been a part of the Artisan’s Asylum community since they were 19 and has lived in the walls ever since, helping out and doing work as a tool tester for several years. They now teach many of the welding classes in our metal shop, and founded our blacksmithing program.

In a modern twist on swords to plowshares, this class, guns to garden trowels, will utilize the flexible nature of the craft of blacksmithing to turn old, busted shotgun barrels into a useful tool for the garden. In this class, we will use recycled parts from broken shotguns to learn blacksmithing techniques like chiseling, setting an edge, and hot rasping to breathe new life into metal that was destined for the dump. A fun and unique class for any skill level, Gun to Garden Trowel is a great class for complete beginners and intermediate-level smiths alike!

This class is done in collaboration with Guns2Gardens MA: Encouraging safe firearm donations and buybacks. Creating useful, beautiful tools to nourish and renew us all. All the proceeds from material fees will go toward further funding Guns2Gardens MA

In a modern twist on swords to plowshares, in guns to garden trowel, we will utilize the flexible nature of the craft of blacksmithing to turn old, busted shotgun barrels into a useful tool for the garden.

This class has an optional materials fee of $25 if you'd like to keep your trowel. Otherwise, we will donate the trowel to a local community garden. The materials fee will be paid once, directly to the instructor at the start of the first class meeting. This instructor accepts payments in cash or through Venmo.

Students will learn:

The required skills to use all tools covered in the class to Artisan's Asylum safety standards.

Set up and shut down the forge

Some fundamental skills of blacksmithing, hot working, setting an edge, chiseling, and more

Proper hammer skills

An understanding of heating metal when and how to forge efficiency

Dismantled shotgun pieces, wooden handle

Attire: Attendants should wear close-toed slip-resistant shoes (steel-toe work boots are ideal), long pants, and no loose-fitting clothing that could possibly get caught in machinery. Make sure to wear only natural fibers, i.e., cotton, wool, linen, etc., and bring reading glasses if needed for detailed work.

Available accommodations: people concerned about accessibility can reach out to set aside an extra 1 hour before the class to discuss accommodations at no additional cost

Students must be 15 years old or older. Any student under 18 years of age must be accompanied by and under the direct supervision of a responsible adult.

Learn more about our class and ticket cancelation policies Here.

Please email ZWR1Y2F0aW9uIHwgYXJ0aXNhbnNhc3lsdW0gISBjb20= with any questions.

*Sales end 2 days before the start of the class to allow the instructor and staff time to prep.

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