Bit Making Class September 8, 9, 10, 2025
This bit making class will be September 8th, 9th, 10th 2025 (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday).
- 8am-5pm
$1000.00 per class (maximum of 6 people)
You will making a pair of Bits that will be yours to keep, all materials will be provided. We will be using waterjet parts and I will also demonstrate other methods of cutting and fabricating. We will shape shanks/cheek pieces, construct mouth pieces, assemble and finish. Basic silver soldering will be demonstrated, but I cannot guarantee that every person's bit will be mounted with silver before the class is over. The amount of time that we spend on silver soldering and clean up will be determined by how quickly your bits are completed and ready to be mounted.
I will be sharing my finishing process for a polished, antique and dark coloring of the steel.
We will discuss and demonstrate the use of machine tools, such as a metal lathe, milling machine and the tooling that is used on these machines along with grinding, sanding and buffing machines. I have multiple jigs for bending, welding and assembling bits and mouthpieces. We will also be using TIG and MIG welders and showing the proper use of these machines. There will also be discussion on mouth piece design, this includes corrections, hinge ports, Billy Allen's, snaffles, and solid mouth pieces. Half breed mouth pieces are also an option for this class; however, this is not a spade bit class. We will go over the topic of spade bits, but will not have enough time to build this complicated of a piece. Stay tuned for a future spade bit class.
I have 4 Outlaw Grinder stations setup to allow almost every student to work at their own pace and not be pressured to hurry. Basic understanding of metal fabrication will be beneficial to you but not required.
I will need to know ahead of time what shank and mouth piece you are wanting to build. If you are hoping to have silver mounted on your bit by the end of class on Wednesday (brand, name, logo, scrolls, etc) then it will be best if you have this cut out in advance. I have some alphabets and basic shapes on hand.
There is an RV park 3 miles from here and a small motel, in Dickens, TX 79229, 3 miles from here. Contact me for other options. [email protected]
$500.00 deposit required to reserve your spot. The balance will be due by August 1st 2025
A $100 discount is available for those who chose to pay in full when you reserve your spot.
Please click on payment the option and choose either pay in full where you will receive a discount of $100 or you can choose to pay only the deposit at this time.