FARMINGTON — The Western Maine Blacksmith Association is offering a variety of blacksmithing classes this fall, including intermediate level work, tool-making and bladesmithing.

First up will be a tool-making class taught by Stan Tilton and Will Sampson on Saturday, Oct. 14. The class will cover some basic tool-making considerations such as metal selection and heat treating. Tools to be made include basic blacksmithing accessories such as tongs and punches. Blacksmithing tools for woodworking will be discussed also. The class will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the WMBA’s forge located at the Farmington Fairgrounds. Cost is $75 a person plus a materials fee.

Tilton is a veteran blacksmith and president of the WMBA, which was founded by his father, Ray Tilton, in 2002. Sampson is secretary of the WMBA and editor of a magazine for professional woodworkers.

An intermediate blacksmithing class will be taught by Pat Roy on Saturday, Oct. 28. The class will cover fundamental ornamental blacksmithing work such as making scrolls, twists, leaves and texture. Participants should already have at least some fundamental experience with blacksmithing. The class will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the forge. Cost is $75 a person plus materials.

Pat Roy, Belfast, makes a variety of products in his Big Rock Forge from jewelry to cabinet hardware. He has given classes for the WMBA for a number of years.

Bladesmithing will be taught by Adriaan Gerber of Ellsworth, a talented bladesmith known for his knives and axes. Students will have the opportunity to make a knife starting from forging with high-carbon steel. The class will go from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 12, at the forge. Cost is $100 a person plus materials.

The blacksmith association is based at the Wilton Home and Farm Museum and meets at 7 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month. Promoting the art of blacksmithing at all levels, the association is open to anyone interested in blacksmithing. It hosts open forge sessions at its forges in Wilton and Farmington, demonstrates at special events and offers occasional classes.

Preregistration is required for all classes.

FMI, preregister: 207-778-0792, wmeblacksmiths@gmail.com.

Stan Tilton will teach a blacksmith tool-making class Saturday, Oct. 14, at the Western Maine Blacksmith Association forge at the Farmington Fairgrounds.

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