Biennale Europea d'Arte Fabbrile di Stia

2nd course – Basic support for the approach to forging

Description and explanation of what forging means, illustration of various materials (iron, steel, stainless steel) and analysis of different processing methods (working temperature).

Some information on tempera which will be developed in greater detail in the following course about tools.

  • Perspective drawing and explanation of the various tools which are commonly used both by hand and with an anvil, anvil height.
  • Ignition of the forge and importance of water.

  • Explanation of the use and of the importance of the sledgehammer, coordination, tapping, resuming striking, swiping to a halt, two people striking together (e.g., tip straightening for 

  • How to use chisels, cutting test – straight and tilted.

  • Explanation on how to build a swage block starting from its perspective drawing and realisation of it.

  • Drawing and building hand-tools for the realisation of round and square holes.

  • Explanation and drawing of holes which are created using heat and which have a specific shape – square, round, flat, straight and diagonal.

    Realisation of them.

  • Explanation and description of various types of coils having either square or rounded shape, examples of different coils, thinning and tracing. Development of and research for the double symmetrical coil, realisation of coils.

  • Realisation of a project based on holes created using heat (e.g., small grating).

  • Drawing and realisation of a twirling spanner and execution of various types of twirling that can be used for staircase landings or as decorative elements.

  • Drawing and explanation of the use of pitchforks and of forks for anvils.

  • Drawing and realisation of tips with a specific shape – square, round, flat – that can become spears or leaves.

  • Drawing and explanation of a flat triangle.

  • Realisation of a triangle with sharp internal and external angles, both thin and thick.

    Realisation of a hot-welded frame.

  • Drawing, explanation and realisation of a rose window with four elements having symmetrical coils with the insertion of four darts united by tapings.

  • Planning and drawing of how one can build a furnishing item composed by three elements with riveted holes created using heat (e.g., candleholder) and realisation of it.

  • Drawing, explanation and realisation of a triangle having a loop in which one can insert a coil using tapings.