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Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, & Tenders

Also called: Machine Operator, Sander Operator, Computer Numerical Control Operator (CNC Operator), Machinist

What they do:
Set up, operate, or tend woodworking machines, such as drill presses, lathes, shapers, routers, sanders, planers, and wood nailing machines. May operate CNC equipment.
On the job, you would:
  • 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.

Knowledge

Manufactured or Agricultural Goods
  • manufacture and distribution of products
Math and Science
  • arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics
Engineering and Technology
  • mechanical

Skills

Basic Skills
  • keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
Technical
  • watching guages, dials, or display screens to make sure a machine is working
  • using equipment or systems

Abilities

Controlled Movement
  • quickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat
  • change when and how fast you move based on how something else is moving
Hand and Finger Use
  • hold or move items with your hands
  • keep your arm or hand steady
Visual Understanding
  • quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things
  • see hidden patterns
Reaction Time and Speed
  • quickly move your hand, finger, or foot based on a sound, light, picture or other command

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include
practical, hands-on problems and solutions.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Attention to Detail
  • Dependability
  • Integrity
  • Self Control
  • Independence
  • Cooperation

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Spreadsheet software
  • Microsoft Excel
Word processing software
  • Microsoft Word
Time accounting software
  • Timekeeping software

Education

Education: (rated 2 of 5)
high school diploma
usually needed

Get started on your career:

Find Training Find Certifications Registered Apprenticeship

Job Outlook

Average Outlook
New job opportunities are likely in the future.
Salary
$27,090
per year, on average
Check out my state Local Salary Info Find Jobs

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See more details at O*NET OnLine about woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders.