Our Blacksmithing Program

       The blacksmithing studio at the New England School of Metalwork has been designed to integrate both traditional and contemporary tooling. With full quantities of tools and equipment  to accommodate up to seven students, each of the four large coal forges and three gas forges are established as their own forging stations. Only a few steps away in any direction you will find two treadle hammers and two pneumatic power hammers, post vises, belt grinders and racks of hand tools. Our ever growing assortment of traditional hand and power tools provide a student with the tooling required for many processes. Always available to the experimental or direct metal sculptor are plasma cutters, Oxy-Fuel torches of heating, cutting, welding or brazing. We also have any form of electric welding available in multiple numbers. The New England School of Metalwork also offers a series of very unique workshops called the "Build it;Use it" series, here we come together to produce and manufacture specialty tooling and equipment for metal smithing. The diverse array of nationally known instructors provide students with many options and many disciplines of artistic metalwork. From power hammer tooling to chisels and punches, this studio will allow you to let your innermost creativity flow. You will find a flexible assortment of workshops available in a Summer Session, Winter Session and an Evening Session.

       Since the New England School of Metalwork is solely dedicated to metalworking there is plenty of it. We do not charge lab fees, material fees or fuel cost. Our belief is that as a student practicing a trade should not be concerned about the cost of practice material. Students find themselves in an atmosphere of the practicing a trade and learning the art of metal smithing. The New England School of Metalwork also offers blacksmithing equipment for sale, we often have Treadle Hammers, Power Hammers, Anvils, Vises, Coal Forges, new and old. See our Items for Sale page for more details.

       As our goal is to instruct and educate people in the most comfortable atmosphere available, it is as important for students to take a class that fits them. The professional craftsmen we have instruct classes sometimes have specific levels to which the class or workshop is designed. There for we have developed a brief guide to help you define your skill level. You will see these skill level references attached to every blacksmithing class we offer.

Skill Level Guide:

       It is very important for instructor and student alike to be able to identify skill levels. The following is meant to help place you in a class with the greatest comfort and potential for your success. These skill levels are preferred for classes to function at their best. We strongly recommend you place yourself in a workshop that best suites your skill level.

Beginner: Little to no experience.

Seasoned Beginner:  Competent and fairly proficient with all basic forging processes and the use/operation of the standard tools and equipment of the trade.

Intermediate: The above plus 3 years of par-time playing in the forge and a good working knowledge/experimentation of traditional joinery,  forge welding and their processes.

Advanced: The above plus 4 years of more serious, small to medium size projects, identifying your style and maybe even making some money at what you love.

   Always Forging ahead !