Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood

What the job really is

Set up, operate, or tend wood sawing machines. May operate computer numerically controlled (CNC) equipment. Includes lead sawyers.

At a glance

• Sector: Production
• O*NET-SOC code: 51-7041
• O*NET job zone: 2 — some preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• 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.
• Adjust bolts, clamps, stops, guides, or table angles or heights, using hand tools.
• Examine logs or lumber to plan the best cuts.

Tools and technology

Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, Adjustable hand wrenches, Automated inventory software, Band saws, Band scroll saws, Bench dogs, Biscuit jointers, C clamps

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing
• Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
• Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand
• Cutters and Trimmers, Hand
• Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
• Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
• Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
• Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 2 (some preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

Browse the verified job sources directory, or explore more occupations.

Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.