Carving a career as a master blacksmith
Blacksmiths work with different metals to make and repair decorative, industrial and everyday items.
Career path and progression. You can become a blacksmith by
• Training with an experienced blacksmith and learning the craft on the job
• Completing a college course then finding a trainee job with a blacksmith
• Experience in welding, metalwork or art and design may give you an advantage when looking for a trainee position. The British Artist Blacksmiths Association (BABA) has details about training and work experience. You could also get into this job through an apprenticeship in welding or metal fabrication. Creative Choices has more information about working as an artist blacksmith. You'll need:
• Practical skills
• Problem solving skills
• Design skills and creative ideas for decorative work
• Communication skills
• The ability to follow technical plans
• Maths skills for measuring and making calculations. You could specialise in:
• industrial work. mating things like railings, staircases and security gills
• Artistic work, designing items like decorative garden gates, furniture or one-off pieces for customers You'll work with different metals like wrought iron, steel, brass, bronze and copper. For each job, you'll:
• Sketch out new design plans or follow customer instructions
• Heat metals to the right temperature in a forge or furnace
• Shape metals with hand tools like hammers, punches and anvils
• Use power tools, like drills, lathes and hydraulic presses
• Join metal parts together using riveting and welding methods
• Apply finishes
•If you specialise in artistic work, you'd usually be self-employed and sell your work at craft shows. galleries and fairs. You'd also do your own business administration and marketing. Starter :£15,000 to E 19,000 Experienced :£20,000 to £25,000 Highly Experienced :£30,000 Or more Trainee salaries will be inline with National Minimum Wage rates. You'll work about 40 hours a week Monday to Friday, if you' re employed by a company. If you' re self-employed, your hours will depend on how many customer orders you have. The work is physically demanding and you'll wear protective clothing like boots. an apr on and safety glasses or visor. As an experienced artist N ark au i th you could set up your own gallery• You could also teach craft skills. As an industrial blacksmith, you could move into workshop management or designing.