What You'll Do

  • Produce or assemble components of articles, such as store fixtures, office equipment, cabinets, or high-grade furniture.
  • Verify dimensions or check the quality or fit of pieces to ensure adherence to specifications.
  • Set up or operate machines, including power saws, jointers, mortisers, tenoners, molders, or shapers, to cut, mold, or shape woodstock or wood substitutes.
  • Measure and mark dimensions of parts on paper or lumber stock prior to cutting, following blueprints, to ensure a tight fit and quality product.
  • Reinforce joints with nails or other fasteners to prepare articles for finishing.
  • Attach parts or subassemblies together to form completed units, using glue, dowels, nails, screws, or clamps.
  • Establish the specifications of articles to be constructed or repaired, or plan the methods or operations for shaping or assembling parts, based on blueprints, drawings, diagrams, or oral or written instructions.
  • Cut timber to the right size, and shape and trim parts of joints to ensure a snug fit, using hand tools, such as planes, chisels, or wood files.
  • Match materials for color, grain, or texture, giving attention to knots or other features of the wood.
  • Trim, sand, or scrape surfaces or joints to prepare articles for finishing.

Essential Skills

Operations Monitoring 3.5/5
Quality Control Analysis 3.38/5
Monitoring 3.12/5
Operation and Control 3.12/5
Speaking 3.0/5
Critical Thinking 3.0/5
Operations Analysis 3.0/5
Equipment Selection 3.0/5
Troubleshooting 3.0/5
Judgment and Decision Making 3.0/5
Time Management 3.0/5
Reading Comprehension 2.88/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.

Top passions

  • Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.
  • Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.
  • Artist: Creating original work and expressing ideas feels natural.

Common styles

Dependability, Attention to Detail, Cooperation, Stress Tolerance, Adaptability/Flexibility

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Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Arm-Hand Steadiness 3.88/5
Manual Dexterity 3.88/5
Finger Dexterity 3.88/5
Near Vision 3.88/5
Control Precision 3.75/5
Multilimb Coordination 3.62/5
Trunk Strength 3.62/5
Visualization 3.5/5

Technologies & Tools

Autodesk AutoCAD Computer aided design CAD software Computer estimation software Computerized maintenance management system CMMS Microsoft Excel Microsoft Outlook Microsoft Windows

Work Environment & Style

Common Styles for This Career

  • Dependability (High importance: 4.54/5)
  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.48/5)
  • Cooperation (High importance: 3.96/5)
  • Stress Tolerance (High importance: 3.85/5)
  • Adaptability/Flexibility (High importance: 3.73/5)

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How to Become One

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful but is usually not required. Training is often provided on the job.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Accordion Maker Antique Furniture Repairer Antique Repairer Boat Oar Maker Bow Maker Cabinet Assembler Cabinet Builder Cabinet Designer Cabinet Finisher Cabinet Installer Cabinet Maker Cabinet Professional Cabinet Specialist Cabinet Worker Cabinetmaker Carpenter Chair Maker Chair Mechanic Chair Mender Counter Top Maker Custom Cabinet Maker Custom Cabinetmaker Custom Stock Maker Double End Tenon Operator Experimental Box Tester Frame Builder Frame Carpenter Framer Furniture Builder Furniture Maker Guitar Maker Hand Carver Hand Fretted Instrument Maker Hand Violin Maker Harp Maker Harpsichord Maker Hat Block Maker Inlayer Last Model Maker Mantel Craftsman Marquetry Worker Pipe Organ Builder Router Operator Smoking Pipe Maker Stock Checker Violin Maker Wood Cabinetmaker Wood Furniture Assembler Wood Machinist Wood Mechanist Wood Ski Maker Wood Working Assembler Woodwork Hat Block Maker Woodworker Woodworking Bench Carpenter Woodworking Machinist