Getting Started in Blacksmithing at RCBA
To Learn Blacksmithing at RCBA Requires:
- RCBA Membership
- AACB Membership
- Pay for Green Coal Course
To Join RCBA
Annual RCBA dues are $25, renewable in January of each year.
To join RCBA, a membership is also required to the Appalachian Area Chapter Blacksmiths (AACB), the TN chapter under which we operate. Please see ways to join, below.
RCBA – Click here: Join/Renew
AACB (required) – Click here: www.aacblacksmiths.org then click the “Join/Dues” tab.
To Learn Blacksmithing at RCBA
(Green Coal Class)
Our Green Coal program is open to RCBA/AACB members age 16 and up and involves completion of approximately 13 projects for graduation (Number could vary). There is a one-time cost (for the coal, metal, and instruction) of $150 which is payable at the RCBA shop on Tuesdays or Thursdays from 6 – 9 pm or through PayPal to RCBlacksmiths (email is rcbablacksmiths@gmail.com)
Come by & get on the class roster!
To see the projects we teach as part of the program go check out this Facebook post on our page: Green Coal Projects
Items you will need to start your classes:
- Safety Glasses
- Leather Gloves (Some do not use gloves. Especially on the hammer hand.) Does not have to be leather but you are working with hot metal.
- Wear cotton or denim clothes. (You will get dirty and sweaty)
- Leather shoes or boots if possible. In case hot coal falls on your foot. (Does not have to be leather but must be enclosed. No open toe shoes.)
- Optional: Ear Plugs if you don’t like the sound of hammering metal.
- If you have a Ball Peen or Cross Peen Hammer then bring that to start. We have some Ball/Cross Peen hammers in the shop. A good 2 pound hammer is fine. If you are smaller in stature you may want one about 1.5 pound. If you are not sure just try different ones in the shop before buying one.
- Optional: The shop gets smoky from the fire and coal dust. Especially when cleaning up your forge and sweeping the area after class. Some people like to wear dust masks or a bandana around their face to keep from breathing in all that dust and smoke.