722 Blacksmiths, Toolmakers and Related Trades Workers

Blacksmiths, hammersmiths and forging press workers hammer and forge bars, rods, ingots and plates of iron, steel or other metals, and draw wire to make and repair various kinds of tools, metal articles, pieces of equipment, and agricultural and related implements. Tasks include - (a) heating metal in forge furnaces and manufacturing and repairing articles by drawing, bending, cutting, hammering metal on an anvil, punching, shearing, joining and hardening or tempering; (b) shaping heated metal into forgings on power hammers equipped with open dies; (c) operating closed-die drop hammers to forge metal articles; (d) operating a power-press machine equipped with closed dies to forge metal articles; (e) drawing wire; (f) reading work orders or blueprints to determine specified tolerances and sequences of operations for machine setup; (g) measuring and inspecting machine parts to ensure conformity with product specifications. Examples of the occupations classified here: - Blacksmith - Drop hammer worker - Forging press worker - Hammersmith Some related occupations classified elsewhere: - Casting machine operator - 7223 - Machine tool operator - 7223.

Toolmakers and related workers make and repair custom-made and specialized tools, sports guns, locks, dies, patterns, machinery components and other metal articles using hand and machine tools to work metal to fine tolerances. Tasks include - (a) reading and interpreting engineering drawings and specifications of tools, dies, prototypes or models; (b) preparing templates and sketches, and determining work processes; (c) visualizing and computing dimensions, sizes, shapes and tolerances of assemblies, based on specifications; (d) positioning, securing and measuring metal stock or castings to lay out for machining; (e) setting up, operating and maintaining conventional and computer numerically controlled machine tools to cut, turn, mill, plane, drill, bore, grind or otherwise shape work pieces to prescribed dimensions and finish; (f) fitting and assembling parts to make and repair jigs, fixtures and gauges; (g) repairing and modifying sports guns and other small arms; (h) making, fitting, assembling, repairing and installing lock parts and locks; (i) making and repairing metal patterns for preparation of foundry moulds; (j) laying out lines and reference points on metal stock to guide other workers who cut, turn, mill, grind or otherwise shape metal; (k) verifying dimensions, alignments and clearances of finished parts for conformity with specifications, using precision measuring instruments and testing completed items for proper operation. Examples of the occupations classified here: - Die maker - Gunsmith - Jig maker - Locksmith - Patternmaker - Toolmaker Some related occupations classified elsewhere: - Tool production machine operator - 7223.

Metal working machine tool setters and operators set and/or operate various machine tools, working to fine tolerances. Tasks include - (a) setting one or more types of machine tool for production of metal articles in standardized series; (b) operating and monitoring metal working machines such as lathes, milling, planing, boring, drilling, grinding or honing machines, including multipurpose numerically controlled metal working machines; (c) performing similar tasks when machining plastics and other metal substitutes; (d) observing machine operations to detect work piece defects or machine malfunctions, and adjusting machines as necessary; (e) inspecting work pieces for defects, and measuring work pieces to determine accuracy of machine operation, using rules, templates or other measuring instruments; (f) changing worn machine accessories such as cutting tools and brushes, using hand tools. Examples of the occupations classified here: - Boring machine operator - Casting machine operator - Machine tool operator - Machine tool setter - Machine tool setter-operator - Metal turner - Rivet production machine operator - Tool production machine operator.

Metal polishers, wheel grinders and tool sharpeners polish and grind metal surfaces and sharpen tools. Tasks include - (a) operating fixed or portable buffing and polishing machines; (b) sharpening cutting tools and instruments using grinding wheels or mechanically operated grinding machines; (c) repairing, adjusting and sharpening saw blades and metal teeth of cylinders in textile carding machines; (d) dressing grinding wheels according to specifications; (e) monitoring machine operations to determine whether adjustments are necessary, and stopping machines when problems occur; (f) inspecting, feeling and measuring work pieces to ensure that surfaces and dimensions meet specifications; (g) selecting and mounting grinding wheels on machines according to specifications, using hand tools and applying knowledge of abrasives and grinding procedures. Examples of the occupations classified here: - Knife sharpener - Metal finisher - Metal polisher - Tool grinder Some related occupations classified elsewhere: - Metal finishing machine operator - 8122 - Metal polishing machine operator - 8122.