NRBA Blacksmith Curriculum - Level II
Pictures NRBA Level II Training 2017
John McLellans Level II Grille
Square corner with fillet
Leafing Hammer, part of Level II
Level II Grille Drawings
Level II Class Checklist
NRBA Level II: Intermediate Blacksmith
Printable PDF Version
This certificate will be awarded to NRBA members who have completed the Level 2, advanced training. Interested members will receive a check list of required skills to complete to guide them through the program. Ongoing educational activities will be published in the NRBA Newsletter. There is no guarantee that a teaching opportunity will exist at a time a student is seeking one.
Students will have to prove to their instructor(s) that they understand and can perform the 21 skills listed below. Instructor(s) must sign off on the check list for each separate skill. Students will also present to their instructor(s) a completed project. The farm gate latch (drawing provided) is a suggested project but students have the freedom to make a different project as long as it incorporates all of the same skills. Alternate projects should be pre-approved by the education committee by submitting a drawing with dimensions. Suggested books to use as reference are: The Skills of a Blacksmith Vol.1, Mark Aspery; The New Edge of the Anvil, Jack Andrews and The Back Yard Blacksmith, Lorelei Sims, all available for loan through the NRBA library.
Suggested books to use as reference are:
The Skills of a Blacksmith Vol.1 -3 by Mark Aspery
The New Edge of the Anvil by Jack Andrews
all available for loan through the NRBA library.
Required Skills for NRBA Level 2 (Checklist):
Safety (see NRBA’s Safety Plan and Guide)
Bending flat bar on edge over anvil's horn and forge weld ring to given size
Make leafing hammer
Making scrolling/bending fork from flat bar
Creating square corners, upset square corners to defined leg lengths
Demonstrate different scrolls (ribbon, fish tail, half penny,beveled scrolls)
Make hardy bottom tool and case harden
Make collar stock (chiseled and raised rib using bottom tool)
Demonstrate collaring
Punch and drift round and square holes in square/ flat bar
Punch and drift round and square holes in round bar using bolster plate
Demonstrate tenon making and mortise/tenon joints
Make and apply rivets
Complete an approved project (Level 2 grille or equivalent) using the above skills and tools.