Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing

Career Description: Set up, operate, or tend woodworking machines, such as drill presses, lathes, shapers, routers, sanders, planers, and wood nailing machines.

Industry: Production

Other Job Titles for Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing:

• 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

• Start machines, adjust controls, and make trial cuts to ensure that machinery is operating properly.
• Determine product specifications and materials, work methods, and machine setup requirements, according to blueprints, oral or written instructions, drawings, or work orders.
• Feed stock through feed mechanisms or conveyors into planing, shaping, boring, mortising, or sanding machines to produce desired components.
• Adjust machine tables or cutting devices and set controls on machines to produce specified cuts or operations.
• Monitor operation of machines, and make adjustments to correct problems and ensure conformance to specifications.
• Set up, program, operate, or tend computerized or manual woodworking machines, such as drill presses, lathes, shapers, routers, sanders, planers, and wood-nailing machines.
• Select knives, saws, blades, cutter heads, cams, bits, or belts, according to workpiece, machine functions, and product specifications.
• Examine finished workpieces for smoothness, shape, angle, depth-of-cut, and conformity to specifications, and verify dimensions, visually and using hands, rules, calipers, templates, or gauges.
• Install and adjust blades, cutterheads, boring-bits, or sanding-belts, using hand tools and rules.
• Inspect and mark completed workpieces and stack them on pallets, in boxes, or on conveyors so that they can be moved to the next workstation.
• Push or hold workpieces against, under, or through cutting, boring or shaping mechanisms.
• Change alignment and adjustment of sanding, cutting, or boring machine guides in order to prevent defects in finished products, using hand tools.
• Inspect pulleys, drive belts, guards, and fences on machines to ensure that machines will operate safely.
• Remove and replace worn parts, bits, belts, sandpaper, and shaping tools.
• Secure woodstock against a guide or in a holding device, place woodstock on a conveyor, or dump woodstock in a hopper to feed woodstock into machines.
• Clean and maintain products, machines, and work areas.
• Attach and adjust guides, stops, clamps, chucks, and feed mechanisms, using hand tools.
• Examine raw woodstock for defects, and to ensure conformity to size and other specification standards.
• Set up, program, and control computer-aided design (CAD) or computer numerical control (CNC) machines.
• Operate gluing machines to glue pieces of wood together, or to press and affix wood veneer to wood surfaces.
• Sharpen knives, bits, and other cutting and shaping tools.
• Trim wood parts according to specifications, using planes, chisels, and wood files or sanders.
• Unclamp workpieces and remove them from machines.
• Start machines and move levers to engage hydraulic lifts that press woodstocks into desired forms, and disengage lifts after appropriate drying times.
• Control hoists to remove parts or products from work stations.
• Add chemicals and materials to workpieces or machines to facilitate bonding or to cool workpieces.
• Mark weld points and positions of components on workpieces, using rules, squares, templates, and scribes.
• Anneal finished workpieces to relieve internal stress.
• Immerse completed workpieces into water or acid baths to cool and clean components.
• Develop templates and models for welding projects, using mathematical calculations based on blueprint information.
• Cut, contour, and bevel metal plates and structural shapes to dimensions as specified by blueprints, layouts, work orders, and templates, using powered saws, hand shears, or chipping knives.
• Preheat workpieces prior to welding or bending, using torches or heating furnaces.
• Use fire suppression methods in industrial emergencies.
• Melt lead bars, wire, or scrap to add lead to joints or to extrude melted scrap into reusable form.
• Set up and use ladders and scaffolding as necessary to complete work.
• Join parts such as beams and steel reinforcing rods in buildings, bridges, and highways, bolting and riveting as necessary.
• Hammer out bulges or bends in metal workpieces.
• Mix and apply protective coatings to products.
• Operate metal shaping, straightening, and bending machines, such as brakes and shears.
• Operate brazing and soldering equipment.

Emerging Tasks

• Grease or oil woodworking machines.
• 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
• attach or mark identification onto products or containers
• clean equipment or machinery
• clean rooms or work areas
• cut, shape, fit, or join wood or other construction materials
• examine products or work to verify conformance to specifications
• inspect machinery or equipment to determine adjustments or repairs needed
• install equipment or attachments on machinery or related structures
• load or unload material or workpiece into machinery
• load, unload, or stack containers, materials, or products
• maintain consistent production quality
• maintain or repair industrial or related equipment/machinery
• monitor production machinery/equipment operation to detect problems
• move or fit heavy objects
• operate hoist, winch, or hydraulic boom
• operate lathes
• operate woodworking equipment/machinery
• perform safety inspections in manufacturing or industrial setting
• read blueprints
• read production layouts
• read specifications
• read technical drawings
• read work order, instructions, formulas, or processing charts
• set up computer numerical control machines
• set up production equipment or machinery
• understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
• use hand or power tools
• use hand or power woodworking tools
• use precision measuring tools or equipment
• use acetylene welding/cutting torch
• use hand or power tools
• use non-destructive test equipment
• use precision measuring tools or equipment
• use spot or tack welding techniques
• weld together metal parts, components, or structures
• perform safety inspections in industrial, manufacturing or repair setting
• perform welding techniques over lengthy time span
• plan or organize work
• position, clamp or assemble workpiece prior to welding
• preheat metal before welding, brazing, or soldering
• read blueprints
• read production layouts
• read specifications
• read technical drawings
• read work order, instructions, formulas, or processing charts
• recognize characteristics of alloys
• recognize characteristics of metals
• recognize welding symbols
• requisition stock, materials, supplies or equipment
• setup welding equipment
• sharpen metal objects
• signal directions or warnings to coworkers
• solder metal parts or components together
• understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
• use acetylene welding/cutting torch
• use arc welding equipment
• use braze-welding equipment
• use combination welding procedures
• use fire suppression equipment
• use gas welding equipment
• use hand or power tools
• use knowledge of welding filler rod types
• use non-destructive test equipment
• use precision measuring tools or equipment
• use soldering equipment
• use spot or tack welding techniques
• use thermal-cutting equipment
• weld in flat, horizontal, vertical, or overhead position
• weld together metal parts, components, or structures
• use x-ray or magnetic inspection techniques

Overall Experience
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed. For example, a teller might benefit from experience working directly with the public, but an inexperienced person could still learn to be a teller with little difficulty.

Job Training
Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees.

Education
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work. In some cases, an associate's or bachelor's degree could be needed.

Examples
These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include sheet metal workers, forest fire fighters, customer service representatives, pharmacy technicians, salespersons (retail), and tellers.

• Average hourly wage (2007) -$11.63
• Average annual wage (2007) - $24,190.00

• Projected growth (2006-2016): 6.38%
• Projected need (2006-2016): 6,352
• Employment (2006): 99,518

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