Question from a prospective member - Metalworking/Blacksmithing

[Matty]

Hi all,

I searched through the previous conversations but couldn't find anything relevant and just wanted to ask the question. 

Is there facility to do any blacksmith work in the space? Is any of the space connected to the outside world by a shutter/large door or any outside space? 

I've looked through the photos of the space and I couldn't see anything jumping out at me, I've recently picked up blacksmithing and I'd probably say I'm sitting at around 40-50 hours of tuition from smith's across the country. I have the basic equipment needed but really would like to avoid an ASBO doing this at home.

If there's any place suitable please let me know, I'm happy to leave the equipment there for other prospective smiths if there's any interest. 

I'm a R&D Chemist/Coatings Scientist by day so I'm always switched on to the relevant H&S requirements and happy to discuss further if this may be possible. 

[Alistair MacDonald]

Hi Matty,

The short answer is that we don't have any blacksmith capabilities. It has been looked at, but sadly it is not viable in our current location. In fact any hot working became complicated last year because of the insurance. We even entertained this happening in the car park, but it just became overly complicated. 

We have had people who were interested thought the door, so there is call for it, but sadly it is just not something we are able to host at the moment. If you find somewhere then we can certainly do a shout out to advertise it.

All the best,

  Alistair

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[Matty]

Hi Alistair,

Ah that's a shame! No problem, hot working seems to be a problem in a lot of commercial lets now. I'll let you know if I figure anything out and you can share it.

Cheers,

Matty

[Matthew Taylor]

One place nearby that used to do it is Your Workshop North East down Saltmeadows Road. I rebuilt the burner for their forge a few years back, there was some work still needed doing to get the tooling sorted out properly but it was going pretty well, Si had built an electric casting furnace and everything. I have no idea what happened to YWNE, I stopped going for a while and when I went back the next summer it looked like it was closed, or at least not operating as a community workshop anymore and I couldn't get in touch with anyone. I think there were a few guys at the makerspace who knew Mark and Si who ran YWNE, if you can figure out what happened to it they might be your best bet for a shop that can do forging and casting.

Matt

[Alistair MacDonald]

I am not entirely certain what s going on at YWNE today. We have
referred quite a few people to them in the past, but things have gone
quiet over recent years and the organisation have clearly changed. If
anyone knows what is what then do let me know. Also if there are any
other organisations starting up. My figurative little black book of
North East maker contacts is getting quite small and that is a shame.

All the best,

Alistair

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[Matty]

Hi both, 

Ah that’s a shame! I’ve asked around basically every commercial letting agency in the north east and there’s nothing appropriately sized/suitable for it. 

It’s looking more and more like a shed in the garden job at this rate.

If anyone is able to contact them and figure out what went on that’d be valuable information.

If anyone was actually in need of something smithed I can speak to the quality of Alex Sowden in Blyth at The Hammer and Hound forge. Great teacher as well.

If you’ve got a real itch to scratch and want to learn from a smith of a calibre you’ll likely never see again in your lifetime. Peat Oberan is down in Stockton and is probably the most skilled smith in the UK if not Europe when it comes to decorative work. An industry legend in the truest sense.

If anyone is just wanting to have a go, check Alex out. If you want to learn from a living legend, go see Peat.

Thanks,

Matty

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