By RENEE PATRICK Cascade A&E Editor
Jeff Wester, owner of Ponderosa Forge in Sisters, has worked hard to create the largest forge ironworking shop in Oregon. His ability to design create custom work from the detail of a leaf on a fireplace gate to a forged table or chair has created a special place in the Sister’s community.
Wester opened Ponderosa Forge in 1991 in the industrial park of Sisters. His history with blacksmithing began in 1988 when he was working as a Ferrier, or horseshoer, in the area. He went on to college at the Oregon Institute of Technology where he studied mechanical engineering gained the skills of designing building needed to open his business.
He has worked hard to provide customers with a range of options for the work they desire. Wester has the abilities technologies to create modern looks with his plasma cutter computer controlled equipment, or use traditional methods with equipment dating back from the 1800’s. The shop does a lot of welding, fabrication machine work; the diversity has helped the shop stay competitive over the years.
Wester likes to look at historical projects, such as Timberline Lodge, for inspiration. He prefers the h forged look with traditional joinery when everything was done with riveting collars, enjoys creating work like it was done 100 years ago, finishing most projects by h on the anvil.
Wester is like many small business owners who learned the ropes of managing paperwork employees once the shop was open. He succeeded through hard work, a bit of trial error a true enjoyment of blacksmithing. These days he spends most of his time running the business side of the operation, but he really enjoys doing the design work fabricating whenever possible.
Wester believes Ponderosa Forge’s involvement with the community of Sisters is very important. Historically, the blacksmith shop was a meeting gathering place in many communities, he tries to create the same environment for his shop. He traditionally hosts My Own Two H s art auction where people from all over the region come to mingle enjoy the spectacular art donated to the benefit.
Customers can work with him on anything from artistic projects to home hardware; Ponderosa Forge has created an impressive showroom at the facility as well as an online shop for purchasing an array of the products. The main focus of the online business is fireplace hearth designs, but offers all types of ironwork items.
541-549-9280, forge@ponderosaforge.com, www.ponderosaforge.com.