What it takes to be a blacksmith

 alt.crafts.blacksmithing    Post an article   get this group's latest topics as an RSS feed add this group's latest topics to your My MSN content add this group's latest topics to your My Yahoo content
Subject Author Date
What it takes to be a blacksmith spaco 04-19-2008
Posted by spaco on April 19, 2008, 8:23 pm
Please log in for more thread options
I feel compelled, again, to say sorthing in "blacksmithing".
if anyone is interested, I wrote an article, based on this skill set,
that discusses ways that folks might apply this tool to their own situation.

> Skills expected for the employment of a Journeyman Blacksmith
>
> These standards were developed by the Appalachian Blacksmiths Association, an
ABANA chapter and registered with the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training,
United States Department of Labor.

>
> 1.        Drawing Out: Draw a bar to a point or dress an edge or point a tool.
>
> 2.        Upsetting: Upset to at least 1 ½ times the diameter or width of a bar on
the end and in the middle.
>
> 3.        Bending: Make a ring out of bar stock or flat stock; forge a square corner
right angle bend in square stock.
>
> 4.        Punching, slitting and decorative punch work: Show an example of decorative
punch work; punch a hole in a bar the same size as the width of the bar.
>
> 5.        Drifting: Make a drift and use it to smooth, shape or enlarge a hole.
>
> 6.        Mortise and Tenon: Make an assembly from at least two separate pieces using
this technique.
>
> 7.        Collaring: Make an assembly from at least two separate pieces using this
technique.
>
> 8.        Scroll Work: Make two different types of scrolls.
>
> 9.        Splitting: Split a bar with a hot cut in the middle or at the end of the
bar.
>
> 10.        Fullering, grooving, veining, set hammering: Show examples of each or if
used as an intermediate technique, describe how and why the techniques are used.
>
> 11.        Riveting: Make two assemblies from at least two separate pieces for each
assembly using hot riveting and cold riveting (pop riveting is not acceptable).
>
> 12.        Forge Welding: Show at least three different techniques.
>
> 13.        Arc Welding, brazing, soldering, oxyacetylene torch welding: Show an
example of each.
>
> 14.        Hot Rasping, filing: Hot rasp the torch cut end of a bar to reasonable
straightness and evenness, show a workpiece which has been filed to a smooth,
flat surface, describe the types, care and use of files.

>
> 15.        Sinking, raising, metal spinning: Make or show a hemispherical or hollow
object made from flat sheet using any one technique.
>
> 16.        Grinding: Know how to use a body grinder (portable grinder), pedestal
grinder, belt grinder, sharpening stones and abrasive papers; know the types of
abrasives and how they are graded and classified, show an edge tool that you
have sharpened.

>
> 17.        Drilling, tapping, die work and threads: Drill and tap a hole, thread the
end of a bar with a die, know the common thread classifications, know the common
drill size classifications, and the care and use of twist drills.

>
> 18.        Heat treating, hardening, tempering, annealing, case hardening: Know how
to properly anneal, harden and temper carbon tool steel, know how to use and
case harden mild steel, know the colors for tempering, make or show a tool you
have made that has been heat treated and will cut or forge mild steel without
breaking or suffer deformation on the working end.

>
> 19.        Heading: Head two bolts, one square headed, and one hex headed; head a
nail, head a rivet.
>
> 20.        Cutting and shearing: Know how to use the hot cut, cold cut, hack saw,
tinsnips, bench or floor shear, know how to use the oxyacetylene torch for
cutting and demonstrate each technique.

>
> 21.        Swaging: Swage a tenon or make the end of a square bar round using a swage.
>
> 22.        Twisting: Show two different twists in a square bar.
>
> 23.        Shop safety: Know first aid techniques for cuts, burns, abrasions and
other shop related injuries; describe methods of hearing, sight and body
protection and why they are necessary; know power tool and machinery safety
including welding equipment safety.

>
> 24.        Basic metallurgy: Know the properties and use of wrought iron, mild steel,
carbon and tool steels and their classification, cast iron, brass, copper,
aluminum; know sheet and plate gauging for ferrous and non-ferrous metals.

>
> 25.        Fire and Fuel: Know the constituents of good shop coal; know the different
types of coal fires and fire maintenance.
>
> 26.        Jigs and dies: Make both a jig and a die for doing repetitive production
work and show examples of work produced with them.

------------------
Pete Stanaitis

Posted by BradK on April 20, 2008, 3:54 am
Please log in for more thread options
Pete,

This is an intimidating list, since I haven't been through an
apprenticeship or formal training. And it makes the craftsman title
of 'Journeyman Blacksmith' even more impressive. 'Hot rasping' was
just one of the surprises I got from reading the list.

Thanks.

Brad K.

> I feel compelled, again, to say sorthing in "blacksmithing".
> =A0 =A0if anyone is interested, I wrote an article, based on this skill se=
t,
> that discusses ways that folks might apply this tool to their own situatio=
n.
>
>
>
> > Skills expected for the employment of a Journeyman Blacksmith
> ..
> > 1. Drawing Out: Draw a bar to a point or dress an edge or point a tool.
> ..
> ------------------
> Pete Stanaitis


Posted by Rusty_iron on April 20, 2008, 9:27 am
Please log in for more thread options

Back to the shop to practice for me.

Thanks Pete.
Regards
Rusty_iron,
Brisbane,Oz.


> I feel compelled, again, to say sorthing in "blacksmithing".
> =A0 =A0if anyone is interested, I wrote an article, based on this skill se=
t,
> that discusses ways that folks might apply this tool to their own situatio=
n.
>
>
>

Posted by John O. Kopf on April 20, 2008, 6:59 pm
Please log in for more thread options
Here are the 1912 Boy Scout Blacksmithing Merit Badge requirements -- 1912:

BlackSmithing
To obtain a merit badge for Blacksmithing a scout must
1. Upset and weld a one-inch iron rod.
2. Make a horseshoe.
3. Know how to tire a wheel, use a sledge-hammer and forge, shoe a
horse correctly and roughshoe a horse.
4. Be able to temper iron and steel.

...considered an adequate task for a 12 year old boy.

John



spaco wrote:
> I feel compelled, again, to say sorthing in "blacksmithing".
> if anyone is interested, I wrote an article, based on this skill set,
> that discusses ways that folks might apply this tool to their own
> situation.
>
>> Skills expected for the employment of a Journeyman Blacksmith
>>
>> SNIP

Posted by Bruce in Bangkok on April 20, 2008, 8:03 pm
Please log in for more thread options
On Sun, 20 Apr 2008 22:59:48 GMT, "John O. Kopf"

>Here are the 1912 Boy Scout Blacksmithing Merit Badge requirements -- 1912:
>
>BlackSmithing
>To obtain a merit badge for Blacksmithing a scout must
>1. Upset and weld a one-inch iron rod.
>2. Make a horseshoe.
>3. Know how to tire a wheel, use a sledge-hammer and forge, shoe a
>horse correctly and roughshoe a horse.
>4. Be able to temper iron and steel.
>
>...considered an adequate task for a 12 year old boy.
>
>John
>
>
>
>spaco wrote:
>> I feel compelled, again, to say sorthing in "blacksmithing".
>> if anyone is interested, I wrote an article, based on this skill set,
>> that discusses ways that folks might apply this tool to their own
>> situation.
>>
>>> Skills expected for the employment of a Journeyman Blacksmith
>>>
>>> SNIP


Obviously things have gone downhill since 1912.


Bruce-in-Bangkok
(correct email address for reply)

Similar ThreadsPosted
Blacksmith lessons December 15, 2005, 12:45 am
Question from a non blacksmith April 27, 2007, 12:43 pm
Blacksmith Day 24/5 2008! May 19, 2008, 7:08 am
Need blacksmith-made puzzle June 20, 2007, 11:49 am
French Blacksmith - Work and Website May 26, 2006, 4:00 am
Learning to be a Farrier/Blacksmith in Louisiana? January 5, 2008, 7:56 pm
Blacksmith accommodation in West Surrey, England July 24, 2005, 12:02 pm
Metal Work Blacksmith manual 1906 FA January 9, 2006, 11:43 am
Was-Looking for some basic HSS info, now blacksmith annealing rates December 22, 2006, 8:16 pm
Any Volunteer blacksmith training in under developed countries going on? March 17, 2008, 3:40 pm

The site map in XML format XML site map
Contact Us | Privacy Policy