What Do Millwrights Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Millwrights install, dismantle, or move machinery and heavy equipment according to layout plans, blueprints, or other drawings. They also insert shims, adjust tension on nuts and bolts, or position parts, using hand tools and measuring instruments, to set specified clearances between moving and stationary parts.

Other tasks include:

• Level bedplate and establish centerline, using straightedge, levels, and transit.
• Align machines or equipment, using hoists, jacks, hand tools, squares, rules, micrometers, lasers, or plumb bobs.
• Assemble and install equipment, using hand tools and power tools.
• Signal crane operator to lower basic assembly units to bedplate, and align unit to centerline.
• Conduct preventative maintenance and repair, and lubricate machines and equipment.
• Replace defective parts of machine or adjust clearances and alignment of moving parts.

We asked Millwrights how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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73% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 38% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Millwrights assemble machines, and bolt, weld, rivet, or otherwise fasten them to foundation or other structures, using hand tools and power tools. They insert shims, adjust tension on nuts and bolts, or position parts, using hand tools and measuring instruments, to set specified clearances between moving and stationary parts.

A typical day for a Millwright will also include:

• Dismantle machines, using hammers, wrenches, crowbars, and other hand tools.
• Lay out mounting holes, using measuring instruments, and drill holes with power drill.
• Move machinery and equipment, using hoists, dollies, rollers, and trucks.
• Align machines or equipment, using hoists, jacks, hand tools, squares, rules, micrometers, lasers, or plumb bobs.
• Assemble and install equipment, using hand tools and power tools.

We asked some Millwrights a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	22% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	50% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	81% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	0% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	3% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	50% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Millwrights also fabricate and dismantle parts, equipment, and machines, using a cutting torch or other cutting equipment. They may also level bedplate and establish centerline, using straightedge, levels, and transit.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Millwrights Conduct preventative maintenance and repair, and lubricate machines and equipment. They might also Bolt parts, such as side and deck plates, jaw plates, and journals, to basic assembly unit.

In addition, they Connect power unit to machines or steam piping to equipment, and test unit to evaluate its mechanical operation.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Troubleshoot equipment, electrical components, hydraulics, or other mechanical systems.

To some Millwrights, it is also their responsibility to Shrink-fit bushings, sleeves, rings, liners, gears, and wheels to specified items, using portable gas heating equipment.

Working life

More than 40 hours per week

Irregular work schedule that changes depending on weather conditions, customer demand or contract duration.

In a typical work week as a Millwright, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/industrial-machinery-mechanics-and-maintenance-workers-and-millwrights.htm

http://www.nam.org/

http://www.dol.gov/apprenticeship/

http://www.pmpa.org/