Metalwork Merit Badge Pamphlet Metalwork Merit Badge  

Metalwork

Requirements were REVISED effective January 1, 2008
(New pamphlet issued after release of Boy Scout Requirements 2007).
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  1. Read the safety rules for metalwork listed in the Metalwork merit badge pamphlet. Describe to your counselor Discuss how to be safe while working with metal. Because this merit badge offers four options, show your counselor which additional safety rules apply to the discipline you choose and discuss them with your counselor. Discuss with your counselor the additional safety rules that apply to the metalwork option you choose for requirement 5.
  2. Define the terms native metal, malleable, metallurgy, alloy, nonferrous, and ferrous. Then do Do the following:
    1. Define the term native metal.
      b. Define the term malleable.
      c. Define the term metallurgy.
      d. Define the term alloy.
      e.       Name two nonferrous alloys used by pre-Iron Age metalworkers. Name, and name the metals that are combined to form these alloys.
    2. f. Explain the term ferrous, and name Name three ferrous alloys used by modern metalworkers.
    3. g. Describe how to work–harden a metal.
    4. h. Describe how to anneal a non-ferrous and a ferrous metal.
  3. Do the following:
    1. Work-harden a piece of 26- or 28-gauge sheet brass or sheet copper. Put a 45-degree bend in a small piece of 26- or 28-gauge sheet brass or sheet copper the metal, then heavily peen the area along the bend line to work-harden it. Note the amount of effort that is required to overcome the yield point in this unworked piece of metal.
    2. Work-harden another piece of the same sheet brass or sheet copper. and then put a 45-degree bend in it. Note the amount of effort that is required to overcome the yield point.
      c.       Soften the same bent, work hardened piece from requirement 3a by annealing it and then try to remove the 45–degree bend. Note the amount of effort that is required to overcome the yield point.
    3. Make a temper color index from a flat piece of steel. Using hand tools, make and temper a center punch of medium-carbon or high-carbon steel.
      d. Join two small pieces of scrap metal using a hammered rivet. Repeat the process using a pop rivet.
      e. Using a flatlock seam, join two pieces of scrap metal together with either lead-free solder or silver solder.
      f. Make a temper color index from a flat piece of steel. Using hand tools, make and temper a center punch of medium-carbon or high-carbon steel.
      g. Using metal cans, practice using the basic metalworking tools and techniques by making at least two tasteful objects that require cutting, bending, and edging.
  4. Find out about three career opportunities in metalworking. Pick one and find out the education, training, and experience required for this profession. Discuss this with your counselor, and explain why this profession might interest you.
    Do ONE of the following:
    1. Visit an experienced sheet metal mechanic, tinsmith, coppersmith, jeweler, founder or a blacksmith at his or her workshop. You may select a skilled hobbyist or a professional. Ask permission to see the tools used and to examine examples of the work made at the shop. Inquire about the level of education required to become an apprentice craftsman.
    2. If you have (or your counselor has) access to the internet, explore metalworking occupations by conducting a Web search. With your counselor’s help and guidance, find at least five metalworking–related Web sites. Print a copy of the web pages and discuss them with your counselor.
      When conducting your Web search, use keywords such as metallurgy, metalwork, spinning metal, metal fabrication, steel fabrication, aluminum fabrication, casting metal, pattern making, welding, forge welding, blacksmith, art metal, Artist Blacksmith Association of North America, farrier, brazing, goldsmith, machinist, or sheet metal mechanic.
  5. After completing the first four requirements, complete at least ONE of the options listed below.
    1. Option 1 – Sheet Metal Mechanic / Tinsmith
      1. Name and describe the use of the basic sheet metalworking tools.
      2. Create a reasonably accurate sketch of two tasteful objects to make from sheet metal. Include each component's dimensions on your sketch, which need not be to scale.
      3. Make two objects out of 24- or 26–gauge sheet metal. Use Using patterns either provided either by your counselor or made by you and approved by your counselor. Construct these objects using a metal that is appropriate to the object's ultimate purpose, and using cutting, bending, edging, and either soldering or brazing. , make at least two tasteful objects out of 24- or 26–gauge sheet metal. Use a metal that is appropriate to the object’s ultimate purpose.
        1. Both objects must be constructed using culling, bending, edging, and either soldering or brazing
          b.           One object also must include at least one riveted component
        2. c. If you do not make your objects from zinc-plated sheet steel or tin-plated sheet steel, preserve your work from oxidation.
    2. Option 2 - Silversmith
      1. Name and describe the use of a silversmith's the basic tools used by a silversmith.
      2. Create a reasonably accurate hand-drawn sketch of two tasteful objects to make from sheet silver. Include each component's dimensions on your sketch, which need not be to scale.
      3. Make two objects out of 8- or 20- gauge sheet copper. Use Using patterns either provided either by your counselor or made by you and approved by your counselor. Both objects must include a soldered joint., make at least two tasteful objects out of 18- or 20–gauge sheet Copper. If you have prior silversmithing experience, you may substitute sterling silver, nickel silver, or lead free pewter.
        1. At least one object must include a sawed component you have made yourself.
        2. At least one object must include a sunken part you have made yourself.
          c. Both objects must include a soldered joint.
        3. d. Clean and polish your objects.
    3. Option 3 – Founder
      1. Name and describe the use of the basic parts of a two–piece mold. Name at least three different types of molds.
      2. Create a reasonably accurate sketch of two tasteful objects to cast in metal. Include the height, width, and length on the sketch. Include each component's dimensions on your sketch, which need not be to scale.
      3. Do the following:
        a. Using         Make two molds, one using a pattern provided by your counselor and another one made by yourself, make two molds. you have made yourself that has been approved by your counselor. Position the pouring gate and vents yourself. Do not use copyrighted materials as patterns.
        1. b. Make Using lead-free pewter, make a casting using a mold provided by your counselor and make a casting using the mold you have made. Use lead free pewter when casting each mold.
        2. c. Remove all evidence of gates, vents, and parting-line flash from your castings.
          Using lead-free pewter, make a casting using the mold that you have made.
    4. Option 4 - Blacksmith
      1. Name and describe tell the use of a blacksmith's the basic tools used by a blacksmith.
      2. Make a reasonably accurate sketch of two tasteful objects to hot-forge. Include each component’s dimensions on your sketch, which need not be to scale.
      3. Using low–carbon steel at least ¼ inch thick, perform the following exercises:
        1. Draw out by forging a taper.
        2. Use the horn of the anvil by forging a U-shaped bend.
        3. Form Twist steel by placing a decorative twist in a piece of square steel.
        4. Use the edge of the anvil to bend metal by forging an L–shaped bend.
      4. Using low-carbon steel at least ¼ inch thick, make the at least two tasteful objects you sketched that require hot-forging. Be sure you have your counselor's approval before you begin.
        1. Include a decorative twist on one object.
        2. Include a hammer-riveted joint in one object.
        3. Preserve your work from oxidation.
      5. Preserve your work from oxidation.

BSA Advancement ID#: 074
Requirements last updated in: 2008
Pamphlet Publication Number: 33312C
Pamphlet Revision Date: 2007

Worksheets for use in working on these requirements: Format
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Blanks in this worksheets table appear when we do not have a worksheet for the badge that includes these requirements.

Page updated on: November 18, 2021

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