Merit Badge Workbook Merit Badge History

Metalwork - In-Person Class Notes

Please be courteous and arrive early for registration and instructions PRIOR to your scheduled class start time. Remember that your Scout uniform is required to be worn when attending.

It is NOT acceptable to come unprepared to a Scoutmaster Bucky event. You can (and should) use the Scoutmaster Bucky Metalwork Merit Badge Workbook to help organize your preparation work. Please note that the use of any workbook is merely for note taking and reference. Completion of any merit badge workbook does not warrant, guarantee, or confirm a Scout's completion of any merit badge requirements. Merit badge counselors may refuse to accept workbooks, but they are NEVER allowed to require their use.

The merit badge pamphlet has a wealth of information that provides valuable insight and clarification and can make earning any merit badge a lot easier. Doing preparation work and reviewing the merit badge pamphlet PRIOR to attending will ensure that Scouts get the most out of these class opportunities.

If you have any additional questions or need further clarification, please feel free to contact Brian Reiners (Scoutmaster Bucky) via email at scoutmasterbucky@yahoo.com or via cell phone at 612-483-0665.

Things to remember to bring for this merit badge class:

  • Your BSA ID # (not your Scoutbook ID #)
  • If you do not have your BSA ID # (or did not provide it with your online registration) you will need a Merit badge blue card properly filled out and signed off by your Scout Leader
  • Metalwork Merit Badge Pamphlet
  • Scout uniform
  • Supporting documentation or project work pertinent to the Metalwork merit badge, which may also include a merit badge workbook for reference with notes
  • A positive Scouting focus and attitude

If you are unfamiliar with the Blue Card Process, please read and understand the Scoutmaster Bucky Blue Card Process.

Metalwork - Online Class Notes

Scoutmaster Bucky Online Class links will be sent out 12 to 24 hours prior to the class start time. Notification will be sent to the email address provided in the registration, so please make sure your email is correctly entered.

Please be courteous and arrive 10-15 minutes prior to the scheduled class start time. Ensure that your internet connection, camera, microphone, and broadcasting environment are working and optimal for class participation. Remember that your Scout uniform is required to be worn when attending.

It is NOT acceptable to come unprepared to a Scoutmaster Bucky event. You can (and should) use the Scoutmaster Bucky Metalwork Merit Badge Workbook to help organize your preparation work. Please note that the use of any workbook is merely for note taking and reference. Completion of any merit badge workbook does not warrant, guarantee, or confirm a Scout's completion of any merit badge requirements. Merit badge counselors may refuse to accept workbooks, but they are NEVER allowed to require their use.

The merit badge pamphlet has a wealth of information that provides valuable insight and clarification and can make earning any merit badge a lot easier. Doing preparation work and reviewing the merit badge pamphlet PRIOR to attending will ensure that Scouts get the most out of these class opportunities.

If you have any additional questions or need further clarification, please feel free to contact Brian Reiners (Scoutmaster Bucky) via email at scoutmasterbucky@yahoo.com or via cell phone at 612-483-0665.

Metalwork Merit Badge
Current Scouts BSA Requirements
as of February 17, 2023

Please make sure you read the top portion of this page for general participation expectations in a Scoutmaster Bucky merit badge class.

Pay careful attention to the action verbs within the requirements. An example to note:

"Tell", "explain", "describe", and "discuss" are commonly used and will require the Scout to perform these actions during the class. When these action verbs are a part of any requirement, Scouts are expected to be prepared to share. Reading responses is not acceptable since it does not fulfill the requirement of showing the Scout's knowledge and understanding.

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 5.
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 metalworkers.
c.
Describe how to work-harden a metal.
d.
Describe how to anneal a nonferrous and a ferrous metal.
3.
Do the following:
a.
Work-harden a piece of 26- or 28-gauge sheet brass or sheet copper. Put a 45-degree bend in 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.
b.
Soften the 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.
c.
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.
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.
5.
After completing the first four requirements, complete at least ONE of the options listed below.
a.

Option 1—Sheet Metal Mechanic/Tinsmith

1.
Name and describe the use of the basic sheet metalworking tools.
2.
Create a sketch of two 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 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 also must include at least one riveted component.
b.
If you do not make your objects from zinc-plated sheet steel or tin-plated sheet steel, preserve your work from oxidation.
b.

Option 2—Silversmith

1.
Name and describe the use of a silversmith’s basic tools.
2.
Create a sketch of two 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 18- or 20-gauge sheet copper. Use patterns either provided by your counselor or made by you and approved by your counselor. Both objects must include a soldered joint. If you have prior silversmithing experience, you may substitute sterling silver, nickel silver, or lead-free pewter.
a.
At least one object must include a sawed component you have made yourself.
b.
At least one object must include a sunken part you have made yourself.
c.
Clean and polish your objects.
c.

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 sketch of two objects to cast in metal. Include each component’s dimensions on your sketch, which need not be to scale.
3.
Make two molds, one using a pattern provided by your counselor and another one you have made yourself that has been approved by your counselor. Position the pouring gate and vents yourself. Do note use copyrighted materials as patterns.
a.
Using lead-free pewter, make a casting using a mold provided by your counselor.
b.
Using lead-free pewter, make a casting using the mold that you have made.
d.

Option 4—Blacksmith

1.
Name and describe the use of a blacksmith’s basic tools.
2.
Make a sketch of two 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 1⁄4 inch thick, perform the following exercises:
a.
Draw out by forging a taper.
b.
Use the horn of the anvil by forging a U-shaped bend.
c.
Form a decorative twist in a piece of square steel.
d.
Use the edge of the anvil to bend metal by forging an L-shaped bend.
4.
Using low-carbon steel at least 1⁄4 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.
Include a hammer-riveted joint in one object.
c.
Preserve your work from oxidation.