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Blacksmiths & Die Setters
NOC code: (7266) Blacksmiths and Die Setters
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Description
A sweaty man with enormous forearms, banging on red-hot metal with a huge hammer–that's a blacksmith, right? What about men and women of all shapes and sizes creating works of art, forming tools, and forging ahead in business–and banging on red-hot metal with huge hammers? That's today's reality. Blacksmithing is both an ancient art and a thoroughly modern career.
Blacksmiths work with fire and very HOT metal. The job requires physical strength and an attention to detail. Blacksmiths forge, weld, rivet, and repair metal parts used in machinery and industrial equipment. All blacksmiths need to be creative, but some are also artists–building custom railings for customers, designing unique furniture, or creating sculptures. If you like animals, you can even make horseshoes!
Die setters are precision workers–setting up the forging machines that other workers will operate.
Specific duties
Blacksmiths perform some or all of the following duties:
- heat metal items in a forge (furnace)
- hammer, punch, cut or otherwise form metal workpieces into desired shapes and sizes
- forge (form) special tools from metal or devise special jigs or fixtures
- temper, harden or anneal forged items in order to strengthen them
- shape metal using power forging machinery.
Die setters perform some or all of the following duties:
- select dies for forging according to the work order and specifications
- position, align and bolt dies to ram and anvil of power presses and hammers
- check initial operation of the forging machine to ensure that machine is set up properly for use by forging machine operators.
High school path
A CareerMATTERS consultant suggests these high school courses
would be helpful. They are not pre-requisites to post secondary
programs, nor are they necessary to obtain employment. You should
consult with your school counsellor to make the best choices for
your own career path.
Recommended Courses |
Grade 9 |
Grade 10 |
Grade 11 |
Grade 12 |
| English |
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ENG1D
English, Grade 9, Academic
or
ENG1P
English, Grade 9, Applied
|
ENG2D
English, Grade 10, Academic
or
ENG2P
English, Grade 10, Applied
|
ENG3C
English, Grade 11, College Preparation
or
ENG3E
English, Grade 11, Workplace Preparation
|
ENG4C
English, Grade 12, College Preparation
or
ENG4E
English, Grade 12, Workplace Preparation
|
Math |
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MFM1P
Foundations of Mathematics, Grade 9, Applied
or
MPM1D
Principles of Mathematics, Grade 9, Academic
|
MFM2P
Foundations of Mathematics, Grade 10, Applied
or
MPM2D
Principles of Mathematics, Grade 10, Academic
|
MBF3C
Foundations for College Mathematics, Grade 11, College Preparation
or
MEL3E
Mathematics for Work and Everyday Life, Grade 11, Workplace Preparation
|
MAP4C
Foundations for College Mathematics, Grade 12, College Preparation
or
MCT4C
Mathematics for College Technology, Grade 12, College Preparation
or
MEL4E
Mathematics for Work and Everyday Life, Grade 12, Workplace Preparation
|
Science |
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SNC1D
Science, Grade 9, Academic
or
SNC1P
Science, Grade 9, Applied
|
SNC2D
Science, Grade 10, Academic
or
SNC2P
Science, Grade 10, Applied
|
SNC3E
Science, Grade 11, Workplace Preparation
or
SNC3M
Science, Grade 11, University/College Preparation
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SNC4E
Science, Grade 12, Workplace Preparation
or
SNC4M
Science, Grade 12, University/College Preparation
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Optional |
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AVI1O
Visual Arts, Grade 9, Open
or
TTI1O
Integrated Technologies, Grade 9, Open
|
AVI2O
Visual Arts, Grade 10, Open
or
TDJ2O
Technological Design, Grade 10, Open
or
TIK2O
Computer and Information Science, Grade 10, Open
or
TMJ2O
Manufacturing Technology, Grade 10, Open
|
AVI3M
Visual Arts, Grade 11, University/College Preparation
or
AVI3O
Visual Arts, Grade 11, Open
or
BDP3O
Entrepreneurship: The Enterprising Person, Grade 11, Open
or
TDJ3E
Technological Design, Grade 11, Workplace Preparation
or
TDJ3M
Technological Design, Grade 11, University/College Preparation
or
TMJ3C
Manufacturing Engineering Technology, Grade 11, College Preparation
or
TMJ3E
Manufacturing Technology, Grade 11, Workplace Preparation
|
AVI4M
Visual Arts, Grade 12, University/College Preparation
or
BDV4C
Entrepreneurship: Venture Planning in an Electronic Age, Grade 12, College Preparation
or
TDJ4E
Technological Design, Grade 12, Workplace Preparation
or
TDJ4M
Technological Design, Grade 12, University/College Preparation
or
TMJ4C
Manufacturing Engineering Technology, Grade 12, College Preparation
or
TMJ4E
Manufacturing Technology, Grade 12, Workplace Preparation
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* some workplace occupations may require students to take some college-level courses
* a job shadowing/co-op experience is recommended
* students planning technical school/college training might consider college-level courses
Career path
Wondering how you could prepare for a career in this field? Or what else you might do once you have some experience?
With enough experience, blacksmiths and die setters who work in manufacturing can become supervisors.
Want to be your own boss? Experienced independent blacksmiths and blacksmith artists can attract customers, expand their businesses, maybe even hire apprentices or other blacksmiths.
Some blacksmiths also train as farriers, preparing and fitting shoes for horses.
Employers
These are examples of the places, businesses and industries that employ people in this field:
machinery manufacturing companies
transportation equipment manufacturing companies
self-employed
Work environment
The forge–the workshop where blacksmiths and die setters work–can be noisy, dusty, and steamy. If you love heat, this is the place for you. Watch out for the fire, steam, and hot surfaces–burns are an occupational hazard. And take care of your back. Standing all day and carrying heavy tools and materials can lead to sore muscles and strains.
Common job titles
Also Known As....
Anvilsmith
Blacksmith
Die setter
Hammersmith
Toolsmith
For more information
Links to associations, organizations, unions and other places that may be able to provide more information.
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