Since he is a metalworking god and does amazing stuff with english wheels and pullmaxes and the like...... Wondering if any HAMB guys ever took his weekend seminar? Im planning to send a guy in early 2008 (just might go myself) cuz Ive been told EVERYONE- no matter how skilled will always get something amazing from the seminar. Anyone been? I know he limits it to like 3 people each month.
i've never been to one of his "real" classes, but attended one of his one day quickie classes with a bunch of people, even only one day, i walked away with a ton of knowledge. FWIW Fay is a god on the Yoder power hammer, he's not big into wheeling, big honkin power hammers is more his thing.
I've taken his seminar,...twice. It's not a "Here's how to use a power hammer", or any other kind of machine, seminar. He teaches you why you are doing what you are doing with the metal and how you should approach it. Then, based on that info, you are let loose in his shop to work on your project utilizing the 15 tons of info that you are desperately trying to keep crammed into your melon.
Spent a saturday with him for free! What a nice guy and a genuis. Now that I could afford the real classes I would go but I am a west coaster guy now. Truly a great and one of the best in the metal world.
Yes, I have been about 5 years ago. Very good class. Fay is very nice guy and really wents to teach you. Kind of expensive compared to some others, but you basicly learn a college metalurgy course in 3 days. I don't know if you have seen his shop or not, but when we drove up my wife said "we spent $1200 for this". If you see his place you'll know what I mean. It's better on the inside. Plan to spend lots of hours there. First day we worked from about 8 in the morning till about 11 or 11:30 at night. Next day it was 8 AM till 12 midnight. The next day it was 8AM till 1AM. The class is geared toward using a power hammer, which I decided I will probably never own. Too loud, heavy and expensive. But you also have use of a Pullmax, English wheel, and planishing hammers among other equipment. I don't think I got as much out of it as the others in my class because I went through most of it during my tool and die maker apprenticeship schools. Be sure to have a project to take with you, and dont make it too easy or simple. You are there to learn so push the limits. I took a track nose for a car I was building, another guy took a fender for a pedal car, the third guy brought a '33 Willys 4 door body he was going to turn into a coupe. He stayed a few extra days. When I left they had one quarter panel pretty well shaped up. I think he learned a lot. I spent a lot of time making half of the track nose in 2 pieces. Spent lots of time shrinking on the Pullmax and hammering on the power hammer. I think I could have made it in half the time by making the side in 3 pieces instead of 2, and beating it out on a shot bag and English wheeling it smooth. I have also taken Ron Fournier's class in Michigan which I think for the average home shop guy is a better deal. It is half the price and he teaches you more of a grass roots style of metalshaping (hammer and shot bag and English wheel). Most guys can afford an English wheel and can put it in their garage, but not a power hammer. I think they are reserved for only the big shops or the most serious of the home shop guys. I have been to Jerry Weeks shop in Indianapolis and have learned as much in a 2 hour visit as I have learned all day in the classes. He has a natural ability for teaching, but he doesn't put on any siminars, he ought to. Just my nickles worth.
Ive been chatting with Fay via email the past week or so and REALLY want to get to meet him in person. Since I only live about an hour from him, I plan on taking the class in Februaruy with one of my staff. Although I feel I know alot of what goes on behind the metalwork, I know Fay is just a wealth of info I want to tap- thanks for letting me know. If anyone plans on taking his seminar and is from out of town ,lemme know..
He was out at Plowboy's place a couple summer's ago. Really nice guy and I think he even did a little work on the Lunar Lander! He told my wife that when my bike got 1500 miles on the odometer that I was going to give it to him, I know there was a reason I don't put speedo's on motorcycles.
I've taking his class, years ago now. He is the the best... But I think he's more of an amazing person, one of my favorite people. Man, take that class, worth every penny. Thats what a real shop looks like, not that fancy shit you see on tv. Man, I love this guy... Funny story... Fay and I really hit it off, we talked mostly about people and life. I stayed longer then the other students cause we really dug each other. Ok, the story... So Jesse James was due about a week or two after me. Fay had one of the west Coast shopping catalogs, mostly clothes I think...not sure. He asked if i had heard of him, and I had'nt. Fay sez, I think he's kinda a big deal....we did'nt know. Anyways, Fay wanted to understand what they were all doing with there hands in all the pics. They were making gang signs, or kidding anyway. It was funny as Fay had no idea and really did'nt understand. Seems Jesse blew up after that, never forget that day standing in his shop. And who would have knew that every buddy would soon be wearing all that stuff. Faye is the nicest person ever, I truly love this guy. World of knowledge with out all the BS, just plain and simple. You'll have a great time, go! Look forward ever year to catching up with Fay at Hershey. Oh, by the way, he ain't square either...he digs lots of punk rock. What a time we had, hahaaa. Worth every penny!
Ha ha Mel! That's a funny story. Fay is a great guy! Met him a few times. I would love to take one of his classes.
There are a couple of other classes, in your area. Dutch Comstock in Herkimer NY 315-866-3034. Wray Schelin in Sturbridge MA 508-347-7749. It all depends on what you want learn and how much you want to spend.
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