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Blacksmith

Do you want to become a Blacksmith? Here is some information to help point you in the right direction:

Job Description - Print Page

Blacksmiths create ornamental and functional objects from a range of metals. They apply traditional and modern specialist techniques to form, shape and join metals such as steel, iron, brass, copper and bronze.

• Artist blacksmiths work with metal to create architectural and decorative pieces such as gates, sculpture and furniture.
• Industrial blacksmiths make purely functional items for use in industry and for company premises such as specialist tools, fire escapes or security grills.
• Blacksmiths use traditional hand tools such as hammers and anvils as well as power tools, including power hammers, drills, air chisels and hydraulic presses.

Blacksmiths generally work between 35 and 40 hours a week, Monday to Friday. They work from specialist workshops or ‘forges'. These vary in size from small sheds to large engineering workshops. Blacksmiths' forges can get very hot, noisy and dirty, and may contain fumes from oils, paints or chemicals.

Salaries start at around £8,000; the highest salary might be around £25,000.

A blacksmith should:

• be physically fit with a good level of stamina
• have good technical and manual handling skills
• have good hand-to-eye co-ordination
• understand the properties of different metals.

People can attend college courses in blacksmithing with few or no formal qualifications, or they may be able to work for a blacksmith who can provide on-the-job training through an apprenticeship.
 
There is no upper age limit, as long as people have a good level of physical fitness. A number of people take up blacksmithing as a second career.

Blacksmiths are based throughout the UK, but more commonly in rural areas. Opportunities can be limited, and people may need to move to another area to find a training place. In larger organisations there may be opportunities for promotion to supervisor, and in some parts of the UK there may occasionally be opportunities in teaching or training.

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