Old Sturbridge Village's Boy Scout Metalwork Workshops are designed to meet most, though not all, of the requirements for the Metalwork Merit Badge. 

These full-day workshops run from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a one-hour break, and are designed for ages 12 and up. Merit Badge Workshops accommodate a total of FOUR participants. The fee is $50 per Scout, with a $200 minimum to run the program. Please keep in mind, our Merit Badge Workshops are full-day workshops. Merit Badge Workshops are offered by OSV staff members who are approved as Scout Merit Badge Counselors.  Download the application.

Below is an outline of requirements for the badge met by participation in our Metalwork Workshops (choose tinsmith or blacksmith focus), with "not applicable" notes next to those that are not met by this program.


1. Read the safety rules for metalwork. Discuss how to be safe while working with metal. Discuss with your counselor the additional safety rules that apply to the metalwork option you choose for requirement five.

• 2. Define the terms native metal, malleable, metallurgy, alloy, nonferrous, and ferrous.
       Then do the following:
          A. Name two nonferrous alloys used by pre-Iron Age metalworkers. Name the metals that are
              combined to form these alloys.
          B. Name three ferrous alloys used by modern metal workers.
          C. Describe how to work-harden a metal.
          D. Describe how to anneal a nonferrous and a ferrous metal.
  3. Not applicable to workshop
  4. Not applicable to workshop
  5. After completing the first four requirements, complete at least ONE (Tinsmith (1) or Blacksmith (4)) of the 
      options listed below:
          A. Option 1 - Sheet Metal Mechanic/Tinsmith
               i. Name and describe the basic sheet metalworking tools.
               ii. Create a sketch of two objects to make from sheet metal. Use patterns either provided 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.
                       a. One object must include at least one riveted component.
                       b. If you do not make objects from zinc-plated sheet steel or tin-plated sheet steel,
                           preserve your work from oxidation.
          B. Option 2 - Silversmith - NA
          C. Option 3 - Founder - NA
          D. Option 4 - Blacksmith
               i. Name and describe the use of a blacksmith's basic tools.
               ii. Make a sketch of two objects to hot-forge (hook, nail, rivet). Include each component's
               dimensions on your sketch, which need not be to scale. 
               iii. Using low-carbon steel at least 1/4 -inch thick, perform the following exercises:
                       a. Draw out by forming a taper.
                       b. Use the horn of an anvil by forging a U-shaped bend.
                       c.  Form a decorative twist in a piece of square steel.
                       d. Upset and bend metal into an L-shape.
               iv. Using low-carbon steel at least ¼-inch thick, make the two objects you sketched that require
                    hot-forging. Be sure you have your counselor's approval before you begin.
                       a. Include a decorative twist on one object.
                       b. Make a nail and rivet.
                       c. Preserve your work from oxidation. (Not period; however, OSV blacksmith may     complete this step.)

Register your group!

Nonferrous alloys used in pre-Iron Age metalworkers include bronze, brass, and pewter.

Ferrous metals include steel and pig iron (with a carbon content of a few percent) and alloys of iron with other metals.

Malleable - able to be shaped and bent: describes a metal or other substance that can be shaped or bent without breaking.

Metallurgy - the technique or science of working or heating metals so as to give them certain desired shapes...the technique or science of making and compounding alloys.

Native metal - any metal that is found in its metallic form, either pure or as an alloy, in nature.

Work-hardening - also known as strain hardening, is the strengthening of a metal by plastic deformation. This strengthening occurs because of dislocation movements within the crystal structure of the material.

Alloy - a substance composed of two or more metals, or of a metal or metals with a nonmetal.

Anneal - in metallurgy and materials science, is a heat treatment wherein a material is altered, causing changes in its properties such as strength and hardness.