Tool and Die Makers
On the Job
Tool and Die Makers analyze specifications, lay out metal stock, set up and operate machine tools. They fit and put together parts to make and repair dies, cutting tools, jigs, fixtures, gauges, and machinists' hand tools.
Physical Demands
This career requires time standing, walking, or running.
Typical Work Tasks
People who work in this career often:
- Lift materials or workpieces using cranes or other lifting equipment.
- Operate grinding equipment.
- Operate metal or plastic forming equipment.
- Conduct test runs of production equipment.
- Inspect metal, plastic, or composite products.
- Select production input materials.
- Review blueprints or other instructions to determine operational methods or sequences.
- Design tools, fixtures, or other devices for production equipment.
- Adjust temperature controls of ovens or other heating equipment.
- Assemble machine tools, parts, or fixtures.
Typical Working Conditions
- Wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats, or life jackets.
- The importance of being accurate or exact.
- Using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
- Having face-to-face discussions.
- Exposure to hazardous equipment.
- Freedom to make decisions without supervision.
- Meeting strict deadlines.
- Working with a group or team.
- Exposure to contaminants (like gases or odors).
- Working indoors in non-environmentally controlled conditions.
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.