Blacksmithing, Bladesmithing and Casting Studio
This studio is a careful combination of both traditional and contemporary tooling. A full array of six forging stations, equipped for both coal forges and gas forges, giving everyone a taste of heat. Two pneumatic power hammers a 25 ton hydraulic press and Treadle Hammer give you plenty of powerful forging options. Our ever growing assortment of traditional hand and power tools provide a student with the tooling required for many processes. Our Casting facility is a separate space, equipped with two large furnaces, spacious pouring alley and six molding benches. The diverse array of instructors provide students with many options and many disciplines of artistic metalwork. Due to our specific dedication to these metal crafts and the fact the these studios are run by metal craftsmen, you will want for nothing, everything needed is at hand and this will allow you to let your innermost creativity flow.
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 metalsmithing. 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 page for more details.
Blacksmith 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. Having never hit hot metal or lit a forge.
Seasoned Beginner: Having a few basic classes under your belt, 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 three years of part-time to full time in the forge. Must have a good working knowledge/experimentation of joinery, forge welding, clean proficient forging of tapers, shoulders, drawing stock down to dimensions, spreading stock, layout and design.
Advanced: The above, plus four years of more advanced work from small to medium size projects. Proficient working skill base of joinery, forge welding, layout, completely proficient in all major forging processes.
Welding Lab
Our welding lab is fully equipped for classes of six students. We firmly believe that the student/Instructor ratio must be kept low in order for proper instruction to occur. In doing so you get 100% attention to your needs. The school uses only the latest in technology for FCAW, GMAW, GTAW, SMAW and Plasma cutting and is updated annually with the newest equipment available. Several processes in each field are possible, with ample room and the safest working conditions. These factors give anyone an advantage in staying current with the onward moving demands of industry. Whether it's aluminum, stainless or carbon steel; pipe or structural plate and in whatever process is needed, our welding lab will provide you the finest training.
Aside from our standard daytime and evening classes, the New England School of Metalwork prides itself on offering many of the companies in New England the very liberal opportunity of customized training. For companies who are entering a new field of welding for a particular job or for certifying their people in any number of codes, we can help. AWS, ASME or API, we can develop and schedule training for you. With two locations, Auburn, Maine and Hooksett, New Hampshire as well as our new Mobile Weld Training Center that is available for extended training periods at your location.