Tool and Die Makers

Career Description: Analyze specifications, lay out metal stock, set up and operate machine tools, and fit and assemble parts to make and repair dies, cutting tools, jigs, fixtures, gauges, and machinists' hand tools.

Industry: Production

Other Job Titles for Tool and Die Makers:

• Realistic: Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
• Investigative: Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
• Artistic: Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
• Social: Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
• Enterprising: Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
• Conventional: Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
• First Interest High-Point: Primary-Rank Descriptiveness
• Second Interest High-Point: Secondary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness
• Third Interest High-Point: Tertiary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness

• Study blueprints, sketches, models, or specifications to plan sequences of operations for fabricating tools, dies, or assemblies.
• Verify dimensions, alignments, and clearances of finished parts for conformance to specifications, using measuring instruments such as calipers, gauge blocks, micrometers, and dial indicators.
• Visualize and compute dimensions, sizes, shapes, and tolerances of assemblies, based on specifications.
• Set up and operate conventional or computer numerically controlled machine tools such as lathes, milling machines, and grinders to cut, bore, grind, or otherwise shape parts to prescribed dimensions and finishes.
• File, grind, shim, and adjust different parts to properly fit them together.
• Fit and assemble parts to make, repair, or modify dies, jigs, gauges, and tools, using machine tools and hand tools.
• Conduct test runs with completed tools or dies to ensure that parts meet specifications, making adjustments as necessary.
• Inspect finished dies for smoothness, contour conformity, and defects.
• Smooth and polish flat and contoured surfaces of parts or tools, using scrapers, abrasive stones, files, emery cloths, or power grinders.
• Lift, position, and secure machined parts on surface plates or worktables, using hoists, vises, v-blocks, or angle plates.
• Measure, mark, and scribe metal or plastic stock to lay out machining, using instruments such as protractors, micrometers, scribes, and rulers.
• Cut, shape, and trim blanks or blocks to specified lengths or shapes, using power saws, power shears, rules, and hand tools.
• Design jigs, fixtures, and templates for use as work aids in the fabrication of parts or products.
• Select metals to be used from a range of metals and alloys, based on properties such as hardness and heat tolerance.
• Set up and operate drill presses to drill and tap holes in parts for assembly.
• Develop and design new tools and dies, using computer-aided design software.
• Set pyrometer controls of heat-treating furnaces and feed or place parts, tools, or assemblies into furnaces to harden.
• Roll hand rollers over rebuilt casings, exerting pressure to ensure adhesion between camelbacks and casings.
• Measure tires to determine mold size requirements.
• Depress pedals to collapse drums after processing is complete.
• Trim excess rubber and imperfections during retreading processes.
• Place tires into molds for new tread.
• Remove spindles from machines and bobbins from spindles.
• Repair or replace worn or defective parts or components, using hand tools.
• Operate mechanical hoppers and provide assistance in their adjustment and repair.
• Prepare inserts, heel pads, and lifts from casts of customers' feet.
• Re-sew seams, and replace handles and linings of suitcases or handbags.
• Maintain records of goods produced, supplies used, production costs, and machine maintenance and repair activities.
• Attach cloth to take-up rollers, placing it in feeding position and threading it through equipment as necessary.
• Requisition supplies, materials, and equipment and receive stock.
• Pack and label cartons, boxes, or bins of finished products.
• Provide assistance in the design and layout of forms and materials to be printed.
• Place spools of thread or wire on holders, and thread through machines.
• Apply glue or tape to holes in screens to repair leaks.
• Clean workpieces, using wire brushes.
• Install gears and holding devices on conveyor equipment.
• Operate sandblasting equipment to roughen and clean surfaces of workpieces.
• Cut metal or other materials, using shears or band saws.
• Charge furnaces.
• Chase decorative designs on silver blanks that are to be used as models for steel production dies.

Emerging Tasks

• Buff tires according to specifications for width and undertread depth.
• Maintain production equipment and machinery.
• Operate machinery and heavy equipment such as forklifts.
• Package finished products and prepare them for shipment.
• Perform quality checks on products and parts.
• Review work orders and blueprints to ensure work is performed according to specifications.
• Shovel, sweep, or otherwise clean work areas.
• Supervise assemblers and train employees on job procedures.

• Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Assisting and Caring for Others: Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Controlling Machines and Processes: Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment: Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information: Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Interacting With Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources: Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment: Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing Administrative Activities: Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public: Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Performing General Physical Activities: Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Provide Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment: Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment: Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Selling or Influencing Others: Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Staffing Organizational Units: Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Detailed Work Activities

• adjust production equipment/machinery setup
• design tools or mechanical devices
• determine tasks needed to complete machined products
• examine products or work to verify conformance to specifications
• fabricate, assemble, or disassemble manufactured products by hand
• identify base metals for welding
• install equipment or attachments on machinery or related structures
• lay out machining, welding or precision assembly projects
• load or unload material or workpiece into machinery
• monitor production machinery/equipment operation to detect problems
• move or fit heavy objects
• operate hoist, winch, or hydraulic boom
• operate metal or plastic fabricating equipment/machinery
• perform safety inspections in manufacturing or industrial setting
• read blueprints
• read specifications
• read technical drawings
• recognize characteristics of alloys
• recognize characteristics of metals
• set up and operate variety of machine tools
• set up computer numerical control machines
• set up production equipment or machinery
• solve machine tool problems
• understand machine setup instructions
• understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
• use arc welding equipment
• use hand or power tools
• use machining practices
• use non-destructive test equipment
• use precision measuring tools or equipment
• use x-ray or magnetic inspection techniques
• weld together metal parts, components, or structures
• stretch, bend, straighten, shape, pound, or press metal or plastic
• understand construction specifications
• understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
• use acetylene welding/cutting torch
• use hand or power tools
• use machine tools in installation, maintenance, or repair
• use precision measuring tools or equipment
• use spot or tack welding techniques
• use turnbuckle in structural repair or assembly work
• weld together metal parts, components, or structures
• strip negatives
• understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
• use color analyzer
• use densitometer
• use desktop publishing software
• use hand or power tools
• use precision measuring tools or equipment
• record test results, test procedures, or inspection data
• sort manufacturing materials or products
• test manufactured products or materials
• understand engineering data or reports
• understand measuring devices
• understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
• use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
• use electrical or electronic test devices or equipment
• use hand or power tools
• use hazardous materials information
• use interpersonal communication techniques
• use knowledge of investigation techniques
• use knowledge of metric system
• use long or short term production planning techniques
• use oral or written communication techniques
• use precision measuring tools or equipment
• use quality assurance techniques
• use research methodology procedures within manufacturing or commerce
• use spreadsheet software
• use technical information in manufacturing or industrial activities
• use x-ray or magnetic inspection techniques

Overall Experience
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Job Training
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers.

Education
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some may require a bachelor's degree.

Examples
These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include funeral directors, electricians, forest and conservation technicians, legal secretaries, interviewers, and insurance sales agents.

• Average hourly wage (2007) -$21.68
• Average annual wage (2007) - $45,090.00

• Employment (2006): 100,788

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