Metal and Plastic Model Makers
On the Job
Metal and Plastic Model Makers set up and operate machines (such as lathes, milling and engraving machines, and jig borers) to make working models of metal or plastic objects.
Physical Demands 
This career requires time standing, walking, or running.
Typical Work Tasks
People who work in this career often:
- Read work orders or other instructions to determine product specifications or materials requirements.
- Review blueprints or other instructions to determine operational methods or sequences.
- Operate cutting equipment.
- Operate grinding equipment.
- Operate metal or plastic forming equipment.
- Repair parts or assemblies.
- Align parts or workpieces to ensure proper assembly.
- Assemble machine tools, parts, or fixtures.
- Assemble metal or plastic parts or products.
- Build production molds.
Typical Working Conditions
- Wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats, or life jackets.
- Having face-to-face discussions.
- The importance of being accurate or exact.
- Exposure to sounds or noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable.
- Exposure to hazardous equipment.
- Frequent decision-making.
- Working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions.
- Standing.
- Meeting strict deadlines.
- Working with a group or team.
- Responsibility for others' health and safety.
This page includes information from the O*NET 24.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Source: You can learn about our data sources in the About Us section.
