lyuv Posted June 20, 2017 Share Posted June 20, 2017 I was trying to write a post about making gates, but could not. I was missing a word in English. That would be normal for me, as English is not my language. But as I was searching dictionaries for it, I got frustrated. How do you call the guy (profession) who builds metal constructions, fences, rails, gates ect.? He uses beams, bars and rods. Cuts bends and drills. And joins, usualy by welding or bolting. In a way, it's like carpentry, but with iron. (in that analogy, blacksmith would be the wood carver?). It's a very basic proffession, with specialized shops abundant. There are words for it in Hebrew and German (I think it's Schlosser). is there none in English, or did I spend too long near that hooot forge? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted June 20, 2017 Share Posted June 20, 2017 I can't think of a single specific English word for that precise trade. A blacksmith certainly does all those things. "Ironworker" would cover it, although that has other meanings as well. "Architectural ironworker" can mean someone who does either structural ironwork (metal building frames) and decorative ironwork (railings, gates, light fixtures, etc). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smoggy Posted June 20, 2017 Share Posted June 20, 2017 A schlosser is a locksmith, a machinist or a metal worker. A Blacksmith can be all of those and more, a welder, a fabricator, etc. Making gates, could be fabricating or blacksmithing, or even included in fencing or railings. Many terms are somewhat interchangeable in English, and often depend on the context in which they are used. I would suggest you just go ahead with your post and we'll adjust for any "translation" deficiencies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted June 20, 2017 Share Posted June 20, 2017 "Maker of railings and gates" would certainly work. 20 minutes ago, Smoggy said: I would suggest you just go ahead with your post and we'll adjust for any "translation" deficiencies. Absolutely! [cracks grammarian knuckles] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VaughnT Posted June 20, 2017 Share Posted June 20, 2017 I've always referred to those types of guys as fabricators. They don't normally forge any metal, preferring to weld up what they need. In the US, I can't think of a single name that would fit the description other than fabricator. Or, more precisely, 'metal fabricator'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Martin Posted June 20, 2017 Share Posted June 20, 2017 14 minutes ago, VaughnT said: I've always referred to those types of guys as fabricators. They don't normally forge any metal, preferring to weld up what they need. I would also refer to the tradesman in question as a fabricator, since the OP doesn't refer to the him as forging any of the specified products; although, I would probably call him an "ornamental iron fabricator" or "architectural fabricator" to differentiate from fabricators who specialize in other work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lyuv Posted June 20, 2017 Author Share Posted June 20, 2017 Must admit I hesitated alot before hitting "submit", fearing it would turn out a stupid ignorance. still do. I think the interesting issue is the difference between languages, that sometimes represent a different way of thinking and of doing things. Like the myth of chinese not having a word for "no". If someone would tell you there is no french word for "carpenter", you would wonder how the hell do they get their wood work done? I"m not taking about a unique or strange trade. See the pictures for what a "Schlosser" (for lack of a better word) makes. I KNOW someone makes these things in the English speaking countries (right?). Doesn't he have a special trade other than the general "fabricator" description? It's a modern and very common trade, like carpenters and plumbers. At least in Israel, there are courses, diplomas and firms, just for schlosser work. Do you realy need to each make up your own term ("fabricator") for it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhitee93 Posted June 20, 2017 Share Posted June 20, 2017 Don't let the language thing stress you. Your English is about a million times better than my Hebrew. (Aww, heck, for that matter it is probably better than my English) In my area we would also call people fabricators who do the decorative work you showed. The people who do structural steel work would more commonly be called "iron workers" around here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the iron dwarf Posted June 20, 2017 Share Posted June 20, 2017 here in england making structural steelwork for buildings as in the last pic and making the gates and window bars would be a fabricator, putting up the steelwork for the building in the last pic would be a steel erectors job Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThorsHammer82 Posted June 20, 2017 Share Posted June 20, 2017 4 hours ago, Andrew Martin said: I would also refer to the tradesman in question as a fabricator, since the OP doesn't refer to the him as forging any of the specified products; although, I would probably call him an "ornamental iron fabricator" or "architectural fabricator" to differentiate from fabricators who specialize in other work. This is where I would go as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLAG Posted June 20, 2017 Share Posted June 20, 2017 Structural steel worker. SLAG. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SmoothBore Posted June 20, 2017 Share Posted June 20, 2017 The term "Millwright" isn't used much anymore, ... and it encompasses a lot more than just steel "fabrication", ... but it might be as close to what you're looking for, as any other "trade" name. . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc1 Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 Interesting how different languages cater for things in different ways. Besides the last picture of a metal frame for a building that is done by a builder, the other products, window grill and gate are made by a metal worker or fabricator, however if you go to Spanish, grill and gate are done by a "herrero" in Italian by a "fabbro" in German by a Schmied, yet if you translate back into English this expressions would be blacksmith yet we all know that is not an accurate description since blacksmith refers to a more narrow activity then what a "herrero" or a "fabbro" does. Schlosser in German is not Schmied, but the use of German words in Israel may have changed a bit. Spanish has another expression for the one making metal frames and even metal furniture like office furniture calling that "carpinteria metalica" or "metal carpenter" involving more bending and sheet metal work. Language adapts to the local culture and changes with time. There is not one right or wrong way, just the way it is. Post away and have fun:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John McPherson Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 The ornamental iron industry in the US is represented by NOMMA, the National Ornamental & Miscellaneous Metals Association, and their trade magazine is The Fabricator. It is somewhat analogous to ABANA for artist blacksmiths, but the dues are much higher to weed out amateurs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy Bill Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 Welder or weldor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIGGUNDOCTOR Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 Gates , railings and security bars--- ornamental ironworker Building frames-- structural ironworker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Geist Posted June 22, 2017 Share Posted June 22, 2017 As for jurisdictional agreements of the various labor organizations...... Stuff being talked about here is domain of the ironworkers. Any construction blacksmithing to be done is job of the boilermakers but ironworkers pretty much handle what's being talked about here. George Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted June 22, 2017 Share Posted June 22, 2017 "In the USA" (or have you checked with other countries as well? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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