Tool and Die Maker
Quick Facts
Median Salary$59,181
Most Common EducationHigh school or GED
Projected 10-Year Growth-3.20%
Assessment MatchTake the Assessment
What They Do
A Tool and Die Maker builds the tools and dies used to make a variety of products and appliances. Works with mechanical engineers to build and assemble parts according to blueprints.
Core Tasks:
- Verify dimensions, alignments, and clearances of finished parts for conformance to specifications, using measuring instruments such as calipers, gauge blocks, micrometers, or dial indicators.
- 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.
- Study blueprints, sketches, models, or specifications to plan sequences of operations for fabricating tools, dies, or assemblies.
- Visualize and compute dimensions, sizes, shapes, and tolerances of assemblies, based on specifications.
- Inspect finished dies for smoothness, contour conformity, and defects.
- Fit and assemble parts to make, repair, or modify dies, jigs, gauges, and tools, using machine tools, hand tools, or welders.
- Select metals to be used from a range of metals and alloys, based on properties such as hardness or heat tolerance.
- File, grind, shim, and adjust different parts to properly fit them together.
- Lift, position, and secure machined parts on surface plates or worktables, using hoists, vises, v-blocks, or angle plates.
- Smooth and polish flat and contoured surfaces of parts or tools, using scrapers, abrasive stones, files, emery cloths, or power grinders.
- Measure, mark, and scribe metal or plastic stock to lay out machining, using instruments such as protractors, micrometers, scribes, or rulers.
- Conduct test runs with completed tools or dies to ensure that parts meet specifications, making adjustments as necessary.
- Design jigs, fixtures, and templates for use as work aids in the fabrication of parts or products.
- Cut, shape, and trim blanks or blocks to specified lengths or shapes, using power saws, power shears, rules, and hand tools.
- Set up and operate drill presses to drill and tap holes in parts for assembly.
What to expect as a Tool and Die Maker
1Earn a High school or GED Diploma
43% of people achieve this level of education.
2Gain skills and experience
See Tool and Die Maker related courses on Tallo
3Land a job
2067 openings for Tool and Die Makers
Career Progression
in United States (Nation)
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