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FALL HAMMER-IN 2002
Tal Harris
For the Fall weekend meeting we had Tal Harris as our demonstrator. Tal currently operates W.T. Harris Metalsmiths at his home in Waxhaw, NC. In addition to blacksmithing, he also has 20 years experience working with a company that makes high performance metals, primarily nickel and titanium alloys for the aerospace industry.
Tal began blacksmithing in 1980 while attending Appalachian State University in North Carolina, and in 1982, he attended the Frank Turley School of Blacksmithing in Santa Fe, for 6 weeks. He has since taken classes with Francis Whitaker ,Clay Spencer, Peter Ross, and Tom Latane, at the John C. Campbell Folk School in Murphy, NC.
Additionally, he has instructed at the Campbell Folk School, and demonstrated at numerous Blacksmithing events, including the 1998 ABANA Conference in Asheville, NC. He also participated in special projects with Francis Whitaker at the 1994 and 1996 ABANA Conferences. In 2000 he led two one-week workshops in Queensland, Australia.
Tal’s demo consisted of the design, layout, and execution of a small project from beginning to end,. Included in the project were forge welding, pass-throughs, and other forms of traditional joinery. He explained in great detail (“more than some may want to know” in his words), the finer points of how joinery can be accomplished successfully and with simple tooling.
Tal came highly recommended, and this was a very informative and rewarding weekend.
Tal Harris at the forge
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Weld scarf |
Welding
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Tal Harris with
demonstration piece |
Slitting hot iron
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Slitting and drifting tools |
Johnathan striking for Tal Harris
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Sample grill |
Tendril
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Collar formulas |
Flat grooved collar
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1/2 Round collar |
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