M9201 - Blacksmith and machine shops

Operational Details
Blacksmiths forge a variety of metal items, such as tools, chains, agricultural implement parts, and structural components. Dies, forging presses, drop hammers, and forging rolls are some of the equipment used. Blacksmiths heat steel or other metals in a forge, then hammer, punch, or otherwise form metal work pieces into desired shapes and sizes. The objects are tempered or hardened, and the metal is shaped using power forging equipment.

Die setters select dies for forging by setting the position, aligning and bolting dies to power presses and hammers. The blacksmith then checks the initial operation of the forging machine to ensure it is set up to perform efficiently. The traditional blacksmith in past offered a service to the agricultural community, especially as it pertains to the "horse and bug days". There is still an element of this service available, as blacksmiths will shoe horses, repair and fabricate steel wagon wheels, runners for sleighs, etc.

Machine shops manufacture products from raw steel, by using metal machine and numerically controlled lathes. The machine lathe is used mostly when single items are to be manufactured. Numerically controlled lathes (NIC), most often are used when large volumes of production are required. A lathe is usually operated by a licensed or certified machinist who has formal apprenticeship training. Machinists set up and operate a variety of machine tools to cut or grind metal into parts or products with precise dimensions.

Machinists begin the manufacturing process by reading and interpreting blueprints, charts, or tables, and computing dimensions and tolerances, measuring and laying out work pieces. The machine to be used is set up to perform precision machining such as turning, milling, boring, planing, drilling, precision grinding, etc.

Once an item has been produced from raw stock, a machinist assembles the machined parts or components to form a completed product. Polishing and painting may form part of the process. The shop also maintains and repairs its equipment by ensuring dies, dials, gauges and other measuring devices are accurate or calibrated. Incidental tool and die making is also part of this industry, as occasionally a die or special tool is required to complete an item to the customer’s specifications.

Machine shops manufacture and repair, but seldom are involved in making field repairs, erecting or installing a product they have manufactured.

Incidental welding may also be undertaken. This includes the spray welding of hydraulic cylinders, which is a process used to restore shafts to their original specifications.

SIC Codes
000000586 - Blacksmith/machine shop