Learn the old-world craft of blacksmithing

Students at the Old West Forge School of Blacksmithing are taught an art form that is hundreds of years old by Tim Middaugh, Artist & Blacksmith

Preserving the art and traditions of the blacksmith

Each class includes “hands on” work at the student’s forging station. The small class size allows a great deal of one on one instruction.

We are located in scenic Pacific Northwest White Salmon, WA

Old West Forge is located in rural Klickitat County north of White Salmon, Washington near the base of Mt. Adams. Here the students may absorb the beauty of these natural surroundings as they pursue this old-world craft.

Welcome to Old West Forge

School of Blacksmithing

 Old West Forge is located on Tim and Holly Middaugh’s farm in rural Klickitat County north of White Salmon, Washington near the base of Mt. Adams.  Here the students may absorb the beauty of these natural surroundings as they pursue this old-world craft.

Old West Forge Students…

Are from all walks of life including the following professions:

  • Wood worker
  • Welder
  • Attorney
  • Computer engineer
  • Potter
  • Television producer
  • Rancher
  • Carpenter
  • Metal shop teacher
  • Biologist
  • Ornamental iron fabricator
  • Archeologist
  • Medical office manager
  • Executive
  • Retiree
  • Small business owner
  • College student
  • Plumber
  • Wood shop teacher
  • Photographer
  • Industrial design engineer
  • Tool maker
  • Stay-at-home mom

They all have the common desire to learn an old world craft and to see objects of simple elegance emerge out of hot iron.

Instruction takes place in a pleasant and supportive environment.

Each class contains some lecture and discussion and is primarily a series of demonstrations at the instructor’s anvil. Each demonstration is immediately followed by “hands on” work at the student’s forging station. The small class size allows a great deal of one on one instruction.

Our students learn the basic fundamentals of blacksmithing through toolmaking and a series of forged projects.

  • Heat treating
  • Tool making
  • Traditional joinery
  • Hot fitting
  • Hot collaring
  • Riveting
  • Scrolls
  • Shop layout
  • Animal heads
  • Project design
  • Project layout
  • and more!

Located in scenic White Salmon, WA in the beautiful Pacific Northwest

Old West Forge is located 70 miles east of Portland in the beautiful Columbia River Gorge region near the base of Mt. Adams. In our rural Klickitat County setting, students may absorb the beauty of these natural surroundings as they pursue this old world craft. For help planning your trip to White Salmon, WA with information about local amenities click below.

Hear from some of our students…

An incredible and informative experience

Tim’s skill set is highly advanced, he is patient and very experienced with teaching adults —Tom McKittrick

Old West Forge was everything I was looking for in a blacksmithing school

The amount of things that you can learn here in a three-day weekend is astounding to me —Jeff Larsen

A great time learning blacksmithing

What I really loved about the course is how he dove into the fundamentals while giving hands-on instructions —Bhavin Shah

His technique and demonstration are the best I have seen

Tim’s shop and countryside location are rustic and beautiful —Jim Carley

An incredibly skilled artisan and a natural teacher

The beautiful and quiet setting at Old West Forge is a place I can’t wait to return to each class —Matt Gibson

It was just a whole bunch of fun

You leave with the tools both in skills and physical to progress in your development as a blacksmith —Dan Partin