Blacksmith Skills Training School
 Master and striker |
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 The Center for Metal Arts offers a series of blacksmithing workshops and seminars on metalwork techniques at the Fine Architectural Metalsmiths studio in Florida, NY. The Center for Metal Arts was founded to provide a forum of technique and process in working metals for accomplished blacksmiths, and to provide a hands-on learning exchange in the metal arts for a wider student audience. |
The Center for Metal Arts has 12 fully equipped working stations for hammer work at the anvil, power hammer stations, gas and coal forges, and a classroom area. Adjacent to the classroom area is the working studio of Fine Architectural Metalsmiths, with an upstairs showroom in the renovated 1890's Borden's Creamery Icehouse. |
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 Hands-on time |
 The Hofi hammer |
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The Center for Metal Arts was launched in February of 2003 with Uri Hofi, who taught two one-week intensive courses in his system of forge work. Hofi, who has developed new tooling and techniques for hot forge work, teaches his method in his school in Israel, in Berlin, Germany, in Japan and at the Center for Metal Arts in the United States. |
The Hofi system is an ergonomic approach to tooling and methodology that is designed to work with the natural motions of the body. The Hofi system focuses on efficient process, using minimum energy and time for maximum moving of the material, which protects muscles, nerves, joints, and bones from damage. The five-day intensive workshop covers fundamental techniques and processes of hammer control, power hammer forging, and production through the making of efficient tooling from chisels and tongs to hammers and punches, joinery and forge press work. |
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 Hofi hammer dies |
 Studio forges |
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The Center for Metal Arts is in the picturesque countryside village of Florida, NY, with a small town atmosphere bordered by black dirt farmland, just 70 miles northwest of New York City. It is within 30 minutes of Stewart International Airport in Newburgh, NY, and easy driving access via Interstate 84, NYS 87, or NYS 17. |
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Upcoming Course Information: |
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