Pattern Makers make wood, plastic, metal, plaster of paris, or polystyrene models to produce castings. Mould Makers then use use them to form a cavity in the sand, into which molten metal is poured to form a casting. Patternmaking is divided into two branches: wood patternmaking and metal patternmaking.
Job Related Skills, Interests and Values
- Reading and interpreting blueprints; planning and making a layout for a pattern from a mechanical drawing of the finished article
- Calculating shrinkage and allowances for machining; converting these dimensions to exact tolerances
- Working by hand or with hand and power tools; operating woodworking and other machines
- Making metal patterns from a casting made by a wood master pattern
- Machining castings, then filing, scraping, and polishing them to meet exact dimensions
- Finishing the pattern by sanding and coating with lacquer to a fine smooth finish
- Working on a variety of tasks that require creativity and great precision
- Acquiring and applying knowledge of wood, machining processes, and machine design
What Preparation and Training Do You Need?
- Secondary school diploma; math, chemistry, physics, and shop courses are assets
- Completion of an 8,000-hour apprenticeship, including on-the-job and in-school training
- Exam to obtain Certificate of Qualification
What's Your Future as a Pattern Maker (443A)?
- Full-time, indoor work; may be standing or sitting at a bench
- Often work with engineers and drafters
- Industries for employment include aircraft and auto manufacturers, shipbuilding, and
machine and parts manufacturers
Wage Rate
Apprentice wage increases with skill and experience. Fully qualified workers earn an average of $23.00 per hour.
Self-Rating
Pattern Maker (443A)
| Ask Yourself: | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|
| Do you enjoy working on a variety of tasks requiring creativity and ingenuity? | ||
| Do you have a good eye for detail, and the ability to spot flaws? | ||
| Do you like working with numbers, and are you precise and accurate at it? | ||
| Are you able to follow Health & Safety guidelines? | ||
| Do you enjoy learning about new technology and materials? | ||
| Would you enjoy interacting with site supervisors, customers, suppliers, co-workers and other tradespeople to get the job done? | ||
| Do you have excellent time-management skills? Are you an organized person? |
If you checked YES to the majority of these questions, a career as a Pattern Maker (443A) may be for you!
You might want to look at these similar trades as well;
- Mould Maker
- Tool and Die Maker
- Machinist
- Tool Designer
- Engineer
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