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Wood Patternmaker

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What is a Wood Patternmaker?

Wood Patternmaker Job Description Plan, lay out, and construct wooden unit or sectional patterns used in forming sand molds for castings.

Wood Patternmaker Responsibilities

  • Correct patterns to compensate for defects in castings.
  • Lay out patterns on wood stock and draw outlines of units, sectional patterns, or full-scale mock-ups of products, based on blueprint specifications and sketches, and using marking and measuring devices.
  • Read blueprints, drawings, or written specifications to determine sizes and shapes of patterns and required machine setups.
  • Mark identifying information such as colors or codes on patterns, parts, and templates to indicate assembly methods.
  • Verify dimensions of completed patterns, using templates, straightedges, calipers, or protractors.
  • Construct wooden models, templates, full scale mock-ups, jigs, or molds for shaping parts of products.

Skills Needed to be a Wood Patternmaker

These are the skills Wood Patternmakers say are the most useful in their careers:

Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

Operations Analysis: Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Types of Wood Patternmaker

  • Journeyman Patternmaker
  • Mold Maker
  • Apprentice Pattern Maker
  • Patternmaker
  • Pattern Maker

Wood Patternmaker Job Outlook

There were about 1,800 jobs for Wood Patternmaker in 2016 (in the United States). There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Wood Patternmaker. The BLS estimates 200 yearly job openings in this field.

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The states with the most job growth for Wood Patternmaker are North Carolina, Michigan, and Nebraska. Watch out if you plan on working in Pennsylvania, Nebraska, or Michigan. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

How Much Does a Wood Patternmaker Make?

The typical yearly salary for Wood Patternmakers is somewhere between $34,930 and $82,630.

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Wood Patternmakers who work in Ohio, Michigan, or North Carolina, make the highest salaries.

How much do Wood Patternmakers make in each U.S. state?

State Annual Mean Salary
California $56,990
Michigan $68,910
North Carolina $53,910
Ohio $73,670

What Tools & Technology do Wood Patternmakers Use?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Wood Patternmakers:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Autodesk AutoCAD
  • Computer aided design CAD software
  • Delcam PowerMILL
  • Mastercam

How to Become a Wood Patternmaker

What education or degrees do I need to become a Wood Patternmaker?

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How Long Does it Take to Become a Wood Patternmaker?

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Where Wood Patternmakers Work

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The table below shows the approximate number of Wood Patternmakers employed by various industries.

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References:

Image Credit: Airman 1st Class Sadie Colbert via Public domain

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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