State of Connecticut Home Follow Us on FacebookFollow Us on TwitterFollow Us on Flickr
Connecticut Department of Labor Home Connecticut Careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics - STEM
LMI Home About Us Publications FAQ Glossary Contact Us
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing Go Back to List
Set up, operate, or tend woodworking machines, such as drill presses, lathes, shapers, routers, sanders, planers, and wood nailing machines. May operate CNC equipment.
 Technology used in this occupation:
 
  • Document management software
  •  Tasks
     
  • 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.
  •  
  • Adjust machine tables or cutting devices and set controls on machines to produce specified cuts or operations.
  •  
  • Monitor operation of machines and make adjustments to correct problems and ensure conformance to specifications.
  •  
  • Set up, program, operate, or tend computerized or manual woodworking machines, such as drill presses, lathes, shapers, routers, sanders, planers, or wood-nailing machines.
  •  
  • Select knives, saws, blades, cutter heads, cams, bits, or belts, according to workpiece, machine functions, or product specifications.
  •  
  • Examine finished workpieces for smoothness, shape, angle, depth-of-cut, or conformity to specifications and verify dimensions, visually and using hands, rules, calipers, templates, or gauges.
  •  
  • Install and adjust blades, cutterheads, boring-bits, or sanding-belts, using hand tools and rules.
  •  
  • Inspect and mark completed workpieces and stack them on pallets, in boxes, or on conveyors so that they can be moved to the next workstation.
  •  Skills
     
  • Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  •  
  • Operation and Control - Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
  •  
  • Quality Control Analysis - Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
  •  
  • Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  •  
  • Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  •  
  • Equipment Maintenance - Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
  •  
  • Troubleshooting - Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
  •  
  • Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  •  
  • Repairing - Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
  •  
  • Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  •  Knowledge
     
  • Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  •  
  • Production and Processing - Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
  •  
  • Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  •  
  • Public Safety and Security - Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
  •  
  • Building and Construction - Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
  •  
  • Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
  •  
  • Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
  •  
  • English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  •  
  • Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
  •  
  • Transportation - Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
  •  Search for Jobs on Connecticut's Labor Exchange (CTJOBcentral)
      (Please note that some searches may not produce any results.)
     Education & Training
      Education:   These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
      Related Experience:   Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
      View Related Programs on Connecticut's Education & Training ConneCTion site.
     Browse Through a List of Businesses That Employ People With Your Same Skills
      Potential Employer Search
     Wage Information
     
    Region Average Entry Level  Mid-Range 
    Annual  Hourly 
    Statewide $43,759.00 $21.04  $16.72  $17.86 - $22.27 
    Bridgeport/Stamford $45,874.00 $22.05  $17.01  $17.77 - $23.59 
    New Haven $40,278.00 $19.36  $16.12  $16.81 - $19.23 
     Occupation Outlook ( 2016 - 2026 )
    Average Annual Job Openings:   38
      Employment in this occupation is expected to grow much faster than average, but the number of annual openings will offer somewhat limited job opportunities.
    ONET Resource Center Some of the occupational information on this page is formulated from O*NETTM v17.0 data. O*NETTM is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
    Go Connecticut LMI Home State of Connecticut Department of Labor - Office of Research
    200 Folly Brook Boulevard, Wethersfield, CT 06109 / Phone: 860-263-6275
    LMI Home | CTDOL Home | CT.gov | Feedback | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Accessibility Policy
    This workforce product was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration. (more)
    Go to the State of Connecticut website