Showing posts with label BAM. Show all posts
Showing posts with label BAM. Show all posts

Saturday, August 8, 2015

Old retired guys and anyone who wants to take a vacation day hammer in

On July 30, at the Osage Bluff Blacksmith Shop we hosted a hammer in  called "The old retired guys and anyone who wants to take a vacation day". You see, it was a Thursday meeting!

There was a little tailgating going on.  Of course the grand daughter Lizzie was in on the dealing too.

 She seemed to always be in among the guys. Note safety glasses were a requirement.



This is the force behind most of the blacksmiths. Thank you Bob Stormer for organizing us for a great group picture. BAM wouldn't be what it is without these woman and many more.


It was good to see some old friends. Don Asbee, Bernard Tappel, (two of the twelve founding members of BAM), Sam Little (a brand new member) and Rich Kamp.


It was also good to make new friends. Stephanie was the only female blacksmith participating. 


Blacksmiths came from long distances too. Larry Lutz was from Iowa. We had 2 from Iowa, and 2 from Illinois.


Through out the day there was a gas forge and 3 coal forges going. Almost everyone worked on a project they brought along or demonstrated something for the group. 



 Seems there were some great conversations shared. . . Pat McCarty and Bob Alexander.


 Chris Owen, Mike Gentzsch, Ken Markley, and Preston Williams.


 Craig and Cory.



This would be the early bird prize!   It seems Tom Patterson arrived two weeks early . . . he had the date wrong.


 Lots of conversation . . . Don Asbee, Don Nichols, and Tom Patterson.

 Phil Cox, Terry Smith, John Viessman, "let's discuss this".


 The gas forges.



 Dan Wedemeyer.
  


Here is the group of BAM members that attended. We hosted almost 50 members and spouses!


Getting ready for lunch, ham, smoked turkey, deer sausage sandwiches with all the trimmings. 


My creative sister carved the BAM logo into a watermelon, added an anvil and hammer on top!



There was still parking for a few more cars. It was a beautiful day in the country. The first cool day after several scorching days.


Lunch is served.

If you are included in the pictures, thank you for coming.  If not, try to make it next time!

Sunday, July 29, 2012

A blast of the past

Once upon a time there was a shop by the name of . . . . 


The Blacksmith of Missouri Association would once again hold a meeting in the famous shop of the late, great Doug Hendrickson, aka Dr. Iron.


A day before the meeting friends would gather to collect, brush off, price, and box up the remaining inventory of Doug's shop.   Items were then set out for sale to the blacksmiths attending the meeting.


The blacksmith torches off the bolts where a trip hammer once beat out tons of metal.


Doug's BAM apron was one of the items for sale.


Items ran out into the yard. 


The shop looks the same as it did years ago. But it's not the same without Doug.


Friday evening after some dusty, dirty work and a dip in the Black River, fellow blacksmith's pulled out their instruments and played music. Something that would have been done in years past.


Saturday morning, the meeting was opened with thank yous from Bonnie, Doug's awesome wife. She blessed us with a prayer and thanked us for the work being done in Doug's memory.


Today the items being made were all things Doug was famous for. Here Bob Alexander works on an iron skillet.


 Pat McCarty works on the handle for the skillet.


Bernie made two veggie choppers just the way Doug made them. A very close copy, because when cleaning out the shop, we found two old blank cut outs left there by Doug, and those are what he used for the demo. 


Trade items was a bottle opener. I spy one out of Damascus, a folding one at that.



Two unique ones, both a multi-purpose tool. 


Maybe the most unusual one, a crayfish!


 A dragon even appeared, made by my blacksmith.


At noon the Relay for Life ladies, aka "the lunch ladies", showed up with BBQ pork sandwiches, slaw, baked beans, and homemade dessert, including iced tea and lemonade for only $5 a plate. The bargain of the day.


Dr Joe, Doug's dentist, came and presented the organization with a check in memory of Doug to go towards a scholarship fund.


I was a little late in taking all the demonstrators pictures. I don't know, I think these four shown here at pretty hot. However the fry pan indicates that the missing demonstrator, Al Stephens, is "hot".

It was an awesome day, tools being purchased, techniques shown, and lots of stories told, some included a few tears too. 

Thank you Bonnie, for hosting a wonderful event for all of us. 


Miss you much Dr. Iron.


Sunday, January 23, 2011

BAM January 2011 Meeting @ John Murray's

It was a cold day in New Melle Saturday, however that plus 8 inches of snow did not keep the blacksmiths away. There was a very good turn out at John's place. His shop was full of members wanting to see the demonstrators. Pat McCarty demonstrated leaf making and then forged a crow bar. Host John forged a 30 lb. hammer using his air hammer.

A wonderful lunch of whole roast hog was served. A local meat market had started the cooking process 19 hours earlier. Here Hank and Scott start the carving. The meat was so tender, moist, and delicious.
This is what a line of hungry blacksmiths look like.

Trade items were bottle openers. These were made by Stan Brinkmann, Ken Jansen, and Bob Alexander.


A rather unique belt buckle/bottle opener forged by Pat McCarty.




Walt Hull's opener.



Mark Clifford made his from a railroad spike.



Osage Bluff blacksmith won this one made by Doug Clemmons.
Thank you John, Lisa, and Roland for hosting. I don't think anyone can top your lunch!

Sunday, March 28, 2010

BAM March 2010 meeting

The Blacksmiths of Missouri meeting was held at President Ken Jansen's shop in Moscow mills.


The trade item was anything that rings.


Hammer and ringer made by Ed Harper.



Pat McCarty's jingle bell.


Kent Harbit's school bell. It rang beautifully!


Steve McCarthy's work.



Osage Bluffs cow bell.



Don N's bell. Sorry Don, I can't see your last name.



This one was really cool, but I didn't see who had made it.



Chris's dinner ringer.



Mike McLaughlin's bell.


John Murray making a ladle.


Ed, Bob, Harry, and Bernie, doing what blacksmith's do best.