Forge Operator

When metal is at room temperature, it doesn’t like to take on different shapes. When it’s heated to extreme temperatures, however, it can be pounded into a variety of shapes. A Forge Operator uses a forge to heat and reshape metal. As a Forge Operator, you may also work with plastics.

Since Forge Operators work with extremely hot materials all day long, you must be a stickler for safety. By wearing the appropriate goggles, gloves, and protective clothing, you ensure that your eyebrows and arm hairs stay intact rather than being singed away every day.

You’re given a mold to fit into your forge. You heat the metal or plastic, watching the gauges closely to make sure the material reaches the proper temperature. After that, you use the forge to stamp the material into the die.

With the help of tongs, you take the finished product out of the forge. Or if you have a fancy forge, you flick a switch and the material drops from the die onto a conveyer belt. You check your completed products carefully to make sure they’re exact copies of the die. Occasionally, you may need to sand rough edges.

If you work in a more rustic setting, your job is slightly different. You heat up materials on a fire or in a gas oven, and pound those materials by hand into the proper shape. These are the same methods that Blacksmiths have been using for centuries, and you’ll feel a kinship with those who have done the job before you.