National
| Median wages (2008) |
$12.41 hourly, $25,820 annual |
| Employment (2006) |
65,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) |
Slower than average (3% to 6%)
|
| Projected need (2006-2016) |
15,000 additional employees |
51-7041.00 - Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood
Set up, operate, or tend wood sawing machines. Includes head sawyers.
Sample of reported job titles:
Sawyer, Rip Saw Operator, Machine Operator, Saw Operator, Resaw Operator, Edgerman, Bandmill Operator, Knot Saw Operator, Planer, Backup Sawyer
Tasks
- Adjust saw blades, using wrenches and rulers, or by turning handwheels or pressing pedals, levers, or panel buttons.
- Inspect and measure workpieces to mark for cuts and to verify the accuracy of cuts, using rulers, squares, or caliper rules.
- Examine logs or lumber in order to plan the best cuts.
- Set up, operate, or tend saws and machines that cut or trim wood to specified dimensions, such as circular saws, band saws, multiple-blade sawing machines, scroll saws, ripsaws, and crozer machines.
- Inspect stock for imperfections and to estimate grades or qualities of stock or workpieces.
- Operate panelboards of saw and conveyor systems to move stock through processes, and to cut stock to specified dimensions.
- Mount and bolt sawing blades or attachments to machine shafts.
- Monitor sawing machines, adjusting speed and tension and clearing jams to ensure proper operation.
- Select saw blades, types and grades of stock, and cutting procedures to be used, according to work orders or supervisors' instructions.
- Guide workpieces against saws, saw over workpieces by hand, or operate automatic feeding devices to guide cuts.
back to top
Tools & Technology
Tools used in this occupation:
| Bevels — Sliding t-bevels |
| Calipers — Dial calipers; Digital calipers; Vernier calipers |
| Planing machines — Planers |
| Power saws — Band scroll saws; Circular saws; Contour band saws; Cutoff saws |
| Sawing machines — Miter saws; Multiple blade sawing machines |
| Welding tools — Welding equipment |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Industrial control software — Computerized numerical control CNC software |
| Inventory management software — Automated inventory software |
| Spreadsheet software — Microsoft Excel |
| Word processing software — Microsoft Word |
| 51-4022.00 |
Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic |
| 51-4031.00 |
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic 
|
| 51-4072.00 |
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic |
| 51-4081.00 |
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
|
| 51-4122.00 |
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
|
| 51-4191.00 |
Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic |
| 51-5022.00 |
Prepress Technicians and Workers |
| 51-5023.00 |
Printing Machine Operators |
| 51-7042.00 |
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing
|
| 51-9032.00 |
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders |
