doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DIY Gunsmithing @ doublegunshop.com Gunsmithing Classes offered by Iowa Valley College

That's always a nice thought but making them interrupts the teaching process, they are difficult to market and make any money and there is simply no substitute for being there and seeing or better yet, doing it!
I can't imagine a better teacher of double gun work than Dennis Potter. If this had been available earlier in my career I would have been in his class.
Jack Rowe's video with Potterfield has a world of information but Jack mumbles in his brummie, Potterfield asks the wrong questions and it all is as if they are in a hurry.

What I was imagining was an online live class, but I suspect you are right, Steven, that it would be a logistical disaster. That said, if the course was recorded, even unedited, I would pay to watch.

While it certainly would have shortcomings, this does seem to be the day and age for online classes. A college would probably already have online class capabilities and probably a media or similar school with a few students that would polish up the presentation as a graded assignment. There are students graduating around now with ivy league degrees by taking online classes.

That's exactly what I was thinking. Watching by kids do live classes made me think it could be done even for something like this. The practical side would be tough though

If you have never attended a "individual student project" seminar like Dennis' or mine you really can't fathom how much goes on in different locations. It would require a constantly moving camera/tripod set-up, or several semi-fixed locations. In my shop I have three different student work stations in the corners of one room with the rust bluing set-up in the other corner. My workbench, used for demos is in another room with another student work station.
Hand-held video camera wouldn't cut it, too herky-jerky. It is quite a challenge to get still photos of any given operation.

Why don't you simply take the course? They are tremendously rewarding! Students learn a lot doing there own project plus accomplish a task beyond their previous capabilities. Also tons more watching the other student's projects progress.

I attended a week long Seminar in the 1980s with muzzleloader gurus John Bivins, Wallace Gusler, Lynton McKenzie, Gary Brumfield and Hershel House (names i don't imagine many remember, all noted craftsmen). I ran on the enthusiasm and knowledge I gained for the next two years!! I traveled from Oregon to Kentucky to attend. Sold my Old Town canoe to pay for it~~

When I saw the original ad in Rifle Magazine I thought, "That would be nice" When the second ad came out in Muzzle Blasts I realized that I HAD To Attend.

I think it's a tough call, at this time, for some hosts and many potential students to commit to an in person class. It's no secret that the entire summer event season is cancelled or in question. Depending on the dates, waiting till July to sign up for one of these Iowa Valley classes could make it difficult for some to plan. I just got a refund and did a hotel cancellation for an event in mid July that I had hoped would've worked out. Odd times, probably unnecessarily so, for sure.

John Bivins, Wallace Gusler, Lynton McKenzie, Gary Brumfield and Hershel House! That is one hell of a line up, Steve.

As Dennis said, the website is not very helpful. I did, however, discover that their Facebook page seems to be updated with descriptions of the classes.

Here's the link:
https://www.facebook.com/iowavalleygrinnell/


Edit reason: removed portion that was no longer relevant.

Merle Haggard's "Working Man Blues" come to mind. I don't have nine kids, so for me the song would start like this: 'It's a big job just getting by with [five] kids and a wife."

Which is to say, I would truly love to attend one of these courses. One day I hope to. But family and work make it a long shot. Maybe in a few years, when the kids are a little older...

Good luck Woodreaux, I'm hoping that Dennis and I are still around "in a few years". Maybe still teaching?!? Each year I think about calling it quits? if my Sept class gets cancelled this year, who knows?

John Bivins and Lynton McKenzie are gone, Brumfield pushing 75, Gusler and House are pushing 80...

P.S. I'm a Big Merle Haggard fan and kick myself for never seeing him perform.
"I turned 21 in prison doin' life without parole...No one could steer me right, but Momma tried, Momma tried."