Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood
Human Advantage 63%
Significant human skills needed
AI Automation Risk Moderate Risk
4.1 / 10
Some tasks in this role may be augmented by AI, but human oversight and interpersonal skills remain important.
Set up, operate, or tend wood sawing machines. May operate computer numerically controlled (CNC) equipment. Includes lead sawyers.
Also Known As: Automatic Bandsaw Tender, Automatic Edger, Automatic Log Cut-Off Sawyer, Backup Sawyer, Band Saw Operator, Band Saw Runner, Band Sawyer, Band Scroll Saw Operator +179 more
Core Tasks
- Inspect and measure workpieces to mark for cuts and to verify the accuracy of cuts, using rulers, squares, or caliper rules.
- Adjust saw blades, using wrenches and rulers, or by turning handwheels or pressing pedals, levers, or panel buttons.
- Mount and bolt sawing blades or attachments to machine shafts.
- Set up, operate, or tend saws or machines that cut or trim wood to specified dimensions, such as circular saws, band saws, multiple-blade sawing machines, scroll saws, ripsaws, or crozer machines.
- Inspect stock for imperfections or to estimate grades or qualities of stock or workpieces.
- Monitor sawing machines, adjusting speed and tension and clearing jams to ensure proper operation.
- Sharpen blades, or replace defective or worn blades or bands, using hand tools.
- Guide workpieces against saws, saw over workpieces by hand, or operate automatic feeding devices to guide cuts.
- Clear machine jams, using hand tools.
- Lubricate or clean machines, using wrenches, grease guns, or solvents.
Supplemental Tasks (12)
- Adjust bolts, clamps, stops, guides, or table angles or heights, using hand tools.
- Examine logs or lumber to plan the best cuts.
- Trim lumber to straighten rough edges or remove defects, using circular saws.
- Count, sort, or stack finished workpieces.
- Position and clamp stock on tables, conveyors, or carriages, using hoists, guides, stops, dogs, wedges, or wrenches.
- Measure and mark stock for cuts.
- Operate panelboards of saw or conveyor systems to move stock through processes or to cut stock to specified dimensions.
- Examine blueprints, drawings, work orders, or patterns to determine equipment set-up or selection details, procedures to be used, or dimensions of final products.
- Select saw blades, types or grades of stock, or cutting procedures to be used, according to work orders or supervisors' instructions.
- Cut grooves, bevels, or miters, saw curved or irregular designs, and sever or shape metals, according to specifications or work orders.
- Unclamp and remove finished workpieces from tables.
- Dispose of waste material after completing work assignments.
Education & Training
Job Zone 2 Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
Education: These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Experience: Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Education Level Distribution
Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.
Technology & Tools
Hot Technologies
Software (7)
Tools & Equipment (43)
Where This Career Leads
Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.
Production & Automation Advanced Manufacturing
Zone 2
Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood You are here
Zone 3
Machinists 78% match
Zone 4
Biomass Power Plant Managers 78% match
Zone 5
Microsystems Engineers 74% match
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