Tool and Die Makers
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.
- Tasks
- 17 tasks15 core, 2 supplemental
- Family
- ProductionOne of its 114 occupations
- Code
- 51-4111.00SOC 2018: 51-4111
What the work is made of
15 core tasks and 2 supplemental, each quoted as published, with the survey it came from.
Core: central to the jobSupplemental: done by some, not all
- Task 1. Verify dimensions, alignments, and clearances of finished parts for conformance to specifications, using measuring instruments such as calipers, gauge blocks, micrometers, or dial indicators.Core taskTask 8490Rated by 55 people who do the job, August 2021
- Task 2. Set up and operate conventional or computer numerically controlled machine tools such as lathes, milling machines, or grinders to cut, bore, grind, or otherwise shape parts to prescribed dimensions and finishes.Core taskTask 8492Rated by 54 people who do the job, August 2021
- Task 3. Visualize and compute dimensions, sizes, shapes, and tolerances of assemblies, based on specifications.Core taskTask 8491Rated by 55 people who do the job, August 2021
- Task 4. Study blueprints, sketches, models, or specifications to plan sequences of operations for fabricating tools, dies, or assemblies.Core taskTask 8489Rated by 55 people who do the job, August 2021
- Task 5. Fit and assemble parts to make, repair, or modify dies, jigs, gauges, and tools, using machine tools, hand tools, or welders.Core taskTask 23938Rated by 55 people who do the job, August 2021
- Task 6. Inspect finished dies for smoothness, contour conformity, and defects.Core taskTask 8496Rated by 55 people who do the job, August 2021
- Task 7. Select metals to be used from a range of metals and alloys, based on properties such as hardness or heat tolerance.Core taskTask 8502Rated by 55 people who do the job, August 2021
- Task 8. Lift, position, and secure machined parts on surface plates or worktables, using hoists, vises, v-blocks, or angle plates.Core taskTask 8498Rated by 55 people who do the job, August 2021
- Task 9. File, grind, shim, and adjust different parts to properly fit them together.Core taskTask 8493Rated by 54 people who do the job, August 2021
- Task 10. Smooth and polish flat and contoured surfaces of parts or tools, using scrapers, abrasive stones, files, emery cloths, or power grinders.Core taskTask 8497Rated by 54 people who do the job, August 2021
- Task 11. Measure, mark, and scribe metal or plastic stock to lay out machining, using instruments such as protractors, micrometers, scribes, or rulers.Core taskTask 8499Rated by 54 people who do the job, August 2021
- Task 12. Conduct test runs with completed tools or dies to ensure that parts meet specifications, making adjustments as necessary.Core taskTask 8495Rated by 55 people who do the job, August 2021
- Task 13. Design jigs, fixtures, and templates for use as work aids in the fabrication of parts or products.Core taskTask 8501Rated by 55 people who do the job, August 2021
- Task 14. Cut, shape, and trim blanks or blocks to specified lengths or shapes, using power saws, power shears, rules, and hand tools.Core taskTask 8500Rated by 55 people who do the job, August 2021
- Task 15. Set up and operate drill presses to drill and tap holes in parts for assembly.Core taskTask 8503Rated by 54 people who do the job, August 2021
- Task 16. Develop and design new tools and dies, using computer-aided design software.Supplemental taskTask 8504Rated by 54 people who do the job, August 2021
- Task 17. Set pyrometer controls of heat-treating furnaces and feed or place parts, tools, or assemblies into furnaces to harden.Supplemental taskTask 8505Rated by 54 people who do the job, August 2021
Where this comes from
Quoted from the U.S. Department of Labor, and credited. Nothing on this page is written by us.
How we copy and credit sources- Published byO*NET 29.0, U.S. Department of LaborEmployment and Training Administration
- ClassificationStandard Occupational Classification 2018, 51-4111
- LicenseCC BY 4.0Free to copy and reuse, with credit
- Changed by usNothing.
More in Production
113 other occupations in this family, each with its own page.
- Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders16 tasks
- Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers27 tasks
- Assemblers and Fabricators, All OtherNo tasks listed
- Bakers18 tasks
- Biofuels Processing Technicians19 tasks
- Biomass Plant Technicians18 tasks
- Butchers and Meat Cutters11 tasks
- Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters20 tasks
- Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders23 tasks
- Chemical Plant and System Operators19 tasks
- Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders11 tasks
- Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders29 tasks
- Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers11 tasks
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators27 tasks
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers15 tasks
- Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders18 tasks
- Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders21 tasks
- Cutters and Trimmers, Hand18 tasks
- Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders25 tasks
- Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic32 tasks
- Dental Laboratory Technicians17 tasks
- Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic17 tasks
- Electrical and Electronic Equipment Assemblers16 tasks
- Electromechanical Equipment Assemblers14 tasks
- Engine and Other Machine Assemblers12 tasks
- Etchers and Engravers26 tasks
- Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic16 tasks
- Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers17 tasks
- Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders26 tasks
- Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers16 tasks
- Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators16 tasks
- First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers20 tasks
- Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders19 tasks
- Food Batchmakers25 tasks
- Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders17 tasks
- Food Processing Workers, All OtherNo tasks listed
- Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic13 tasks
- Foundry Mold and Coremakers13 tasks
- Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders17 tasks
- Furniture Finishers22 tasks
- Gas Plant Operators19 tasks
- Gem and Diamond Workers14 tasks
- Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers16 tasks
- Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand17 tasks
- Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic18 tasks
- Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic23 tasks
- Helpers--Production Workers30 tasks
- Hydroelectric Plant Technicians21 tasks
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers31 tasks
- Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers29 tasks
- Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic18 tasks
- Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers23 tasks
- Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic14 tasks
- Machinists29 tasks
- Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers12 tasks
- Medical Appliance Technicians15 tasks
- Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All OtherNo tasks listed
- Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders15 tasks
- Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic15 tasks
- Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders20 tasks
- Model Makers, Metal and Plastic16 tasks
- Model Makers, Wood14 tasks
- Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic24 tasks
- Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic29 tasks
- Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic21 tasks
- Nuclear Power Reactor Operators19 tasks
- Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians18 tasks
- Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders20 tasks
- Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers9 tasks
- Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders14 tasks
- Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic15 tasks
- Patternmakers, Wood20 tasks
- Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers24 tasks
- Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators27 tasks
- Plant and System Operators, All OtherNo tasks listed
- Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic33 tasks
- Potters, Manufacturing23 tasks
- Pourers and Casters, Metal16 tasks
- Power Distributors and Dispatchers14 tasks
- Power Plant Operators30 tasks
- Prepress Technicians and Workers15 tasks
- Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials28 tasks
- Print Binding and Finishing Workers25 tasks
- Printing Press Operators23 tasks
- Production Workers, All OtherNo tasks listed
- Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic19 tasks
- Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood22 tasks
- Semiconductor Processing Technicians20 tasks
- Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders20 tasks
- Sewers, Hand11 tasks
- Sewing Machine Operators26 tasks
- Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers26 tasks
- Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders19 tasks
- Slaughterers and Meat Packers14 tasks
- Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators25 tasks
- Stone Cutters and Carvers, Manufacturing16 tasks
- Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters23 tasks
- Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers22 tasks
- Team Assemblers11 tasks
- Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders23 tasks
- Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders18 tasks
- Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders19 tasks
- Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders23 tasks
- Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Workers, All OtherNo tasks listed
- Timing Device Assemblers and Adjusters17 tasks
- Tire Builders20 tasks
- Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners18 tasks
- Upholsterers22 tasks
- Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators8 tasks
- Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers30 tasks
- Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders29 tasks
- Woodworkers, All OtherNo tasks listed
- Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing25 tasks
Use this record
Every task on this page is free to reuse, with credit to O*NET. The code and data behind the record are public.
Partner with us
Fund the next pass, contribute data, or build on the record. Tell us what you have in mind.
Partner with us