The NEB Gilbert Forge Teaching Center in Brentwood, NH is a volunteer-run members’ shop dedicated to the NEB mission of blacksmithing education.
We’re generally open March-November, 2nd and last Saturdays of each month, 8 am-3 pm. Check our calendar or Facebook page events for details for each day. Make sure your NEB membership is up-to-date before arriving at our (off-line) forge! If you’re not an NEB member, then you can join online. If you are a current member but need to renew, then you can also do that on our site.
New blacksmiths should start with our last Saturday classes, which run 9:30am – noon. Expect patient teaching and a fantastic project that you’ll actually use (think barbeque tools and bottle openers). Come early and learn how to clean and light a coal fire! The afternoon is open forge time for all skill levels- a chance to finish projects from other classes, or pursue a new idea.
Folks who’ve successfully forged 2 or 3 of the last Saturday projects are welcome to join our on-going NEB Level 1 classes on 2nd Saturdays. These are listed on our calendar. Instruction starts at 9am and can run all day, depending on the project. Every month has a different project, and every year we cover all of the skills for NEB Level 1 certification.
Attendance at any session costs $20/day per person to cover coal and metal. Please come prepared to pay with cash or check! Remember to sign-in when you arrive. As a volunteer-run forge, we depend on everyone to help. Please come early to set up or stay late to put everything away and clean up. Remember to put away tools promptly and clean up after yourself.
Everyone at the forge is required to be safely dressed- that means no synthetics (cotton, linen, hemp, and wool only), legs fully covered, and closed-toe shoes (preferably leather). No crocs! Everyone must have their eyes covered at all times, and hearing protection is strongly recommended.
We have a good, but slightly random, tool collection you can use. It’s a good idea to bring your own eye and ear protection, along with useful personal tools and food and drink for the day. We do have access to a real bathroom!
We have no official minimum age, but we do have minimum behavior requirements:
You must be able to swing a 1lb+ hammer effectively, follow all safety rules consistently, and be responsible and polite. For most kids, this is around age 9 or 10. Minors need to have a parent or guardian with them at all times. Kids (and their adults) should be aware that these are adult classes and an adult setting which they are allowed to join; these are not youth-oriented classes.