Please be aware, our courses are for members only, ABA(Vic) is not a training organisation and does not offer courses to the general public.
Our training courses are run on an as needs basis for the benefit of Association members only, see membership details here. As courses depend on the availability of experienced instructors, who donate their time, and sufficient numbers of course attendees; we cannot guarantee that scheduled courses will take place.
People interested in joining the Association and Members who are interested in courses should register with the Secretary.
Members should have completed either the Introduction to Blacksmithing (ITB) and Basic Blacksmithing Techniques (BBT) courses and/or the Self-paced training available at The Barn or been assessed to be at a suitable level of competency by our training coordinator or a committee member, before undertaking more complex courses. Courses usually start at 9:00am and finish around 4:00pm unless the instructor deems otherwise and let's participants know in advance.
Training structure for new members.
The Association occasionally runs more specialised training sessions such as knife making depending on the demand and experience of the current membership.
This course has been designed for new members who have not had the opportunity to light a coke fire and to learn more about the tools we use at The Barn, as well as some forging supervision. Its also an opportunity to ask those questions you have been wanting to ask about blacksmithing.
No forging experience is necessary to attend this course, however a basic hammering skill will ensure you get the best from the course. If unsure about this contact the Secretary.
Limit of 6 students per course. Please contact thesec@abavic.org.au to book in to the course.
This course assumes you can get a fire going and get a bit of metal to forging temperature ready to work. Andy will introduce a number of techniques to start making useful tools and learning about steels and metals. Please contact thesec@abavic.org.au to book in to the course.
This course covers all the skills to enable you make your own pair of blacksmith's tongs.
Some forging experience is necessary prior to enrolling in this course.
Limit of 6 students per course. Please contact thesec@abavic.org.au to book in to the course.
*Prior forging experience is essential before enrolling in this course*
To use the Association's power hammer, you must have the appropriate training and/or experience.
We offer an introductory course covering safety, start-up and shutdown, drawing down, upsetting, using dies, hot cutting, swaging and correct use of tongs and tooling under the hammer.
You must be able to demonstrate sufficient anvil forging experience before undertaking this course.
This course will be run on an alternate Sunday to the regular barn meeting days.
Limit of 6 students per course. Please contact thesec@abavic.org.au to book in to the course.
*Prior forging experience is essential before enrolling in this course*
This course will teach you many aspects of forge work on the anvil.
Covering various anvil forging techniques, punching, hot cutting, split and drift,
fire-welding, heat treatment, tong making and blacksmith tool making.
The course covers fire-welded links and rings, punched and split bars, punched and formed eye,
Limit of 6 students per course. Please contact thesec@abavic.org.au to book in to the course.
*Completion of the Blacksmiths Hand Forging Course - Intermediate or similar, is essential before enrolling in this course*
This course will teach you more complex aspects of forge work on the anvil. You will make a bending dog and a welded log roller. If time permits a hot sett can be formed, punched and heat treated.
Limit of 6 students per course. Please contact thesec@abavic.org.au to book in to the course.
Wrought Iron Course
*Significant experience is essential before enrolling in this course*
Come and learn the secrets of Wrought Ironwork in the Association's Wrought Iron Course.
Learn various forms of scrollwork, collars, fire-welding and other decorative techniques.
You must have completed the Association's 'Blacksmiths Hand Forging Course - Advanced' or have sufficient prior experience before undertaking this course.
Limit of 6 students per course. Please contact thesec@abavic.org.au to book in to the course.
Knife making course - Coming soon.