1. Agenda -Strategies for growing the Tribe
Recognizing, recruiting, and training new BS Leads
New formats/classes for blacksmithing sign-off
Tool construction & acquisition priorities
Tribal projects
New fire-based disciplines (e.g., metal- casting)
Blacksmithing classes and expositions
Maker Faire

2. Recognizing, Recruiting & Training New Leads
Blacksmithing Leads are Nova Labs members who have shown a dedication to the art/activity of blacksmithing.
In other words, they’re out here most times anyway, let’s make use of them!
Obviously they’ve got to be willing to keep an eye on others and enforce safety rules.
In the past we’ve required people to take 102 and 103 before becoming Leads; do we need that to be the case?
See also…

3. Proposal: Blacksmithing 201 – Forge Sign-Off
Past: Only Leads or Stewards could set the forges up independently.
Proposal: New sign-off class for setting up the forges & sundry.
Basic forge introduction (materials, construction, etc.)
Setting up the forges, adjusting the valves
Checking for leaks in the lines
Adjusting air-flow
Moving anvils & vices; setting up the water
Care & feeding of the propane tanks (e.g., water in the winter)
Minimum age of 18
What else?
The idea here is to increase utilization of the blacksmithing equipment beyond twice a week and encourage private sessions… as long as they are done safely.
To encourage people to become leads, we could make this a free sign- off if they commit to hosting X number of sessions? Too hard to enforce/track?

4. Proposal: Pneumatic Press Sign-Off
Right now there is exactly one person with a sign- off for the press… and he’s up in Michigan now.
Bill trained people on an as-needed basis, and pretty much only people that were becoming Leads.
We probably do need this to become a “true” sign- off for independent use.
A codified list of safety procedures
Brings in some extra cash to Nova Labs and also the Blacksmithing Tribe
Again, this could be “free” to people who agree to become Blacksmithing Leads.

5. Tool Acquisition Priorities
New anvils
New hammers
New top tools
Power hammer
Smelter for bronze
Heat treatment oven
Water spigot
New forges
New vices (stands for existing vices)
Propane cage
New dies for the press
WE DON’T HAVE A HUGE BUDGET!
That said, with a little planning and/or some creative construction projects, we can probably get some new stuff.
What tops people’s list?

6. Tribal Projects
One of the most awesome things about blacksmithing and metalworking is that you can build your own stuff!
If you have an idea for a project (e.g., making a smelter), consider making it a Blacksmithing Tribal Project:
The materials cost can (possibly) come out of the blacksmithing budget.
The resulting tool will belong to NL and live here.
We’d set up a Meetup item(s) and encourage other NL folks to show up and help… possibly with food as a bribe.
Again, the idea here is to encourage people to come out and make stuff -- Makers LOVE making stuff, and it builds community bonds.

7. New Fire-Based Activities/Skills
We are sadly constrained by space….
But we can always make room for fun new stuff that involves hot metal!
Smelter for melting brass, bronze, sliver, aluminum etc.
Casting materials and forms, frames
Casting sand
Sign-off classes
Bloomery furnace project?

8. Classes & Presentations
Nova Labs need your help!
Blacksmithing is a major draw to bring people into the shop.
The Blacksmithing 101 classes are space-limited, so our throughput is throttled; the more classes the better.
Use the classes to finance your Key Membership.
Parent/child interest in blacksmithing is very high.
What should our age limit for accompanied minors be?
Metalworking Merit Badge for Boy Scouts.

9. Classes & Presentations
Blacksmithing hands-on classes are limited due to time and safety matters.
The materials costs can run high, pushing people away.
Consider running a “demo” class on a blacksmithing subject.
Ideally this would be a demonstration in a classroom that could hold a lot of people.
A demonstration out at the forge with little/no viewer use of the tools.
Knife-Making
Advanced decorative twists
Damascus steel
Making stainless steel cutlery
Engraving/inlaying with precious metals
Sculpting with chisels and punches
Hammer-making
Etching
Metal-casting
Weapons-making history
Advanced heat-treating

10. Maker Faire June 2, 2019 Who can go?
How did we get all our stuff out there last year?
Can we do that again?