What Do Structural Metal Fabricators Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Structural Metal Fabricators fabricate, position, align, and fit parts of structural metal products. They also verify conformance of workpieces to specifications, using squares, rulers, and measuring tapes.

Other tasks include:

• Align and fit parts according to specifications, using jacks, turnbuckles, wedges, drift pins, pry bars, and hammers.
• Move parts into position, manually or with hoists or cranes.
• Position, align, fit, and weld parts to form complete units or subunits, following blueprints and layout specifications, and using jigs, welding torches, and hand tools.
• Study engineering drawings and blueprints to determine materials requirements and task sequences.
• Set up and operate fabricating machines, such as brakes, rolls, shears, flame cutters, grinders, and drill presses, to bend, cut, form, punch, drill, or otherwise form and assemble metal components.
• Lay out and examine metal stock or workpieces to be processed to ensure that specifications are met.

We asked Structural Metal Fabricators how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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58% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 49% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

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Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Structural Metal Fabricators set up and operate fabricating machines, such as brakes, rolls, shears, flame cutters, grinders, and drill presses, to bend, cut, form, punch, drill, or otherwise form and assemble metal components. They study engineering drawings and blueprints to determine materials requirements and task sequences.

A typical day for a Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter will also include:

• Verify conformance of workpieces to specifications, using squares, rulers, and measuring tapes.
• Move parts into position, manually or with hoists or cranes.
• Lay out and examine metal stock or workpieces to be processed to ensure that specifications are met.
• Smooth workpiece edges and fix taps, tubes, and valves.
• Remove high spots and cut bevels, using hand files, portable grinders, and cutting torches.

We asked some Structural Metal Fabricators 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?	44% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	8% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	72% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	21% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	20% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	45% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Structural Metal Fabricators also direct welders to build up low spots or short pieces with weld. They may also set up face blocks, jigs, and fixtures.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Structural Metal Fabricators Erect ladders and scaffolding to fit together large assemblies. They might also Move parts into position, manually or with hoists or cranes.

In addition, they Locate and mark workpiece bending and cutting lines, allowing for stock thickness, machine and welding shrinkage, and other component specifications.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Position or tighten braces, jacks, clamps, ropes, or bolt straps, or bolt parts in position for welding or riveting.

To some Structural Metal Fabricators, it is also their responsibility to Align and fit parts according to specifications, using jacks, turnbuckles, wedges, drift pins, pry bars, and hammers.

Working life

Standard 40 hour work week

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

In a typical work week as a Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter, you can expect to work 40 hour work 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 following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/production/assemblers-and-fabricators.htm

http://fmanet.org/

http://www.nutsandboltsfoundation.org/

http://www.ipc.org/