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The term ‘metal work’ refers to a wide range of work across a variety of industries and sectors, all of which will involve working with and manipulating metals in various forms. Metal work can range from small scale jobs like cutting and shaping metal ornaments and furniture right up to huge scale operations, such as building ships and bridges.

Metal work is often divided into three main categories:

• Cutting – As the name suggests, this is the process of cutting metal into specific shapes using professional metalworking tools.

• Forming – This is where the metal is modified, often with special techniques, one of which is using heat to adjust the form of the metal.

• Joining – Metal work joining is when two or more pieces of metal are joined together (often using welding, brazing and soldering).

Common blacksmith experience

When it comes to blacksmiths and the metal work that they do, there are a number of common services that an experienced blacksmith will typically offer. They include:

• Agricultural metalwork and welding repairs, including machinery repairs and onsite welding works

• Welding and fabrication, including mobile welding, welding specialist metals and restorations

• Tool repair, including sharpening, rehandling and straightening

• Sand-blasting, paint finishing and powder coating

• Profiling of metal, including plasma, laser cutting and water-jet cutting

• Galvanising and stripping metalwork

Blacksmith supplies in the UK

To carry out their work, there are a number of common tools that a blacksmith will use, including a forge, hammers, chisels, an anvil, tongs, and vises. They may also use more complex tools, such as punch presses, panel benders, and welding equipment.

Need a blacksmith to help with metalwork?

Whether you need a bespoke wrought iron fence or your metal tools sharpened, it’s always good to get advice from a local blacksmith before you get started.

Find the best local blacksmiths and metalworks specialists near you with our quick and easy online search. Or request a quote and we’ll reach out to multiple local tradespeople for you and they’ll get in touch with you directly.

Bespoke metalwork can include any kind of work you can imagine that involves metal, ranging from making bespoke metal trinkets to building specially designed large-scale structures from metal.

Common bespoke metalwork projects include:

• Metalwork sculptures

• Laser-cut metal screens and balustrades

• Staircases

• Balconies

• Commercial canopies, storefronts and signage

• Chandeliers and metal lighting solutions

Blacksmith experience in bespoke design

If you’re hiring a blacksmith or metalworks company to carry out a bespoke metalwork project for you, the process will often involve a design service – often at an additional cost. During the design process the metalwork designer will put together detailed designs for the metalwork you want, to ensure that you’re happy with what they’re going to create.

Working with an experienced blacksmith means they can offer you their professional advice on the best and most cost-effective way to achieve the results you want.

Want to speak to metalworks experts in Kirkwall?

Sometimes it helps to have a quick chat with local blacksmiths or metalworks companies to understand what services are available in your area and how much they’ll cost.

If you’re ready to reach out to local blacksmiths, we can help you find the best tradespeople in your area with our quick and easy online search – or request a quote and we’ll get multiple local metalwork experts to contact you directly.

There are currently no laws in the UK restricting blacksmithing processes. There are also no official licensing requirements relating specifically to blacksmiths, unless they work as a farrier (working with specifically horseshoes) – in which case you need to have specific blacksmith experience and qualifications, and be registered on the Farrier's Register.

Rules for selling metalwork to the public

For blacksmiths who sell their metal work directly to the public from a retail space at their forge, there is certain legislation that they’ll need to adhere to that applies to retail outlets and that protects the interests of the consumer.

Environmental laws affecting blacksmiths

Any business that works with metals may have an impact on the environment, due to the various processes that they use. As a result, there are a number of laws that regulate noise, waste and emissions to air and water, which a blacksmith needs to be aware of and adhere to.

Find the best local blacksmiths

If you’re keen to get started with your home improvement project that involves metal work, we can help you find the best local blacksmiths near you – including those who come highly recommended by your neighbours.

You can either use our quick and easy online search to find and contact metalwork companies in your area yourself. Or, alternatively, request a quote and we’ll do the legwork for you by reaching out to the best local blacksmiths and metalwork experts near you and we’ll get them to contact you directly.

Blacksmiths are skilled in working with different metals in order to make and repair a wide variety of items ranging from decorative items to industrial structures. They work by shaping and joining metal by heating it in a forge until it is soft enough to be workable.

Once the metal is in a workable state, blacksmiths will hammer, bend and cut the metal into the desired shape before it cools and sets into a solid form again.

Common blacksmith jobs

Here are some of the typical jobs that an experienced blacksmith will carry out:

• Draw up new designs for bespoke metalwork following a customer brief

• Heat metals to the right temperature in a forge or furnace

• Shape metals with hand tools, such as hammers, punches and anvils

• Use power tools, like drills, lathes and hydraulic presses to manipulate metal

• Join metal parts together using the appropriate methods, including riveting and welding

• Create sculptures and other artistic metalwork

• Work on large scale architectural projects involving metalwork

Want to find out more about local metalwork services?

When planning a project that requires any kind of metal work, it’s important to speak to local blacksmiths or metalwork specialists to understand what’s involved and how much it will cost. Experienced blacksmiths will be able to advise on the options available and what you’ll need for your project.

Keen to get started? Search for the best local blacksmith and metalwork companies in Kirkwall and get in touch with them yourself. Alternatively, you can get multiple quotes from experienced local tradespeople by using our request a quote feature – simply post details of what you need and we’ll get multiple local metalwork experts to contact you directly.