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Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters Occupation Detailed Description

Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters career

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters

The main tasks and work activities of Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters are to assemble wood products, measure dimensions of completed products or workpieces to verify conformance to specifications, operate woodworking equipment, measure materials to mark reference points, cutting lines, or other indicators. In general, for the Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters, operation Monitoring, quality Control Analysis, operation and Control, monitoring and other 8 skills are required.
Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters Job Description
EducationThese occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Related ExperienceSome previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Job TrainingEmployees 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.
ExampleThese occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, and tellers.
The following chart shows the education/training levels for Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters jobs. 62.02% of Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters have High School Diploma (or the equivalent) and 26.62% of Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters have Post-Secondary Certificate.
Less than a High School Diploma
11.36%
High School Diploma (or the equivalent)
62.02%
Post-Secondary Certificate
26.62%
Some College Courses
0.00%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
0.00%
Bachelor's Degree and Above
0.00%

Tasks and Work Activities of Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters

  • 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.
  • Bore holes for insertion of screws or dowels, by hand or using boring machines.
  • Program computers to operate machinery.
  • Estimate the amounts, types, or costs of needed materials.
  • Perform final touch-ups with sandpaper or steel wool.
  • Install hardware, such as hinges, handles, catches, or drawer pulls, using hand tools.
  • Repair or alter wooden furniture, cabinetry, fixtures, paneling, or other pieces.
  • Apply Masonite, formica, or vinyl surfacing materials.
  • Design furniture, using computer-aided drawing programs.
  • Dip, brush, or spray assembled articles with protective or decorative finishes, such as stain, varnish, paint, or lacquer.
  • Draw up detailed specifications and discuss projects with customers.
  • Getting InformationObserving, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Controlling Machines and ProcessesUsing either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
  • Handling and Moving ObjectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
  • Performing General Physical ActivitiesPerforming physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
  • Making Decisions and Solving ProblemsAnalyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationEstimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialInspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and EventsIdentifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesProviding information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsUsing relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
  • Assemble wood products.
  • Measure dimensions of completed products or workpieces to verify conformance to specifications.
  • Operate woodworking equipment.
  • Measure materials to mark reference points, cutting lines, or other indicators.
  • Review blueprints or other instructions to determine operational methods or sequences.
  • Read work orders or other instructions to determine product specifications or materials requirements.
  • Trim excess material from workpieces.
  • Cut industrial materials in preparation for fabrication or processing.
  • Compare physical characteristics of materials or products to specifications or standards.
  • Drill holes in parts, equipment, or materials.
  • Program equipment to perform production tasks.
  • Estimate material requirements for production.
  • Estimate costs of products, services, or materials.
  • Shape surfaces or edges of wood workpieces.
  • Attach decorative or functional accessories to products.
  • Repair furniture or upholstery.
  • Apply protective or decorative finishes to workpieces or products.
  • Confer with customers or designers to determine order specifications.

Skills and Abilities for Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters

  • Operation MonitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • Quality Control AnalysisConducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
  • Operation and ControlControlling operations of equipment or systems.
  • MonitoringMonitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • TroubleshootingDetermining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
  • Equipment SelectionDetermining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
  • Operations AnalysisAnalyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
  • Critical ThinkingUsing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • SpeakingTalking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Time ManagementManaging one's own time and the time of others.
  • Judgment and Decision MakingConsidering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • Finger DexterityThe ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
  • Manual DexterityThe ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
  • Arm-Hand SteadinessThe ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
  • Near VisionThe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Control PrecisionThe ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
  • Trunk StrengthThe ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
  • Multilimb CoordinationThe ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
  • VisualizationThe ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
  • Static StrengthThe ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
  • Reaction TimeThe ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
  • Problem SensitivityThe ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
  • Information OrderingThe ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
  • Deductive ReasoningThe ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Written ComprehensionThe ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • Perceptual SpeedThe ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
  • Category FlexibilityThe ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
  • Response OrientationThe ability to choose quickly between two or more movements in response to two or more different signals (lights, sounds, pictures). It includes the speed with which the correct response is started with the hand, foot, or other body part.
  • Inductive ReasoningThe ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
  • Speech RecognitionThe ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  • Auditory AttentionThe ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distracting sounds.
  • Adjustable wrenchese.g. Adjustable hand wrenches
  • Positioning jige.g. Adjustable jigs
  • Compassese.g. Angle dividers
  • Awlse.g. Awls
  • Sawse.g. Back saws
  • Hold down clampse.g. Band clamps
  • Bandsaw wheele.g. Bandsaws
  • Hand clampse.g. Bar clamps
  • Bastard cut filee.g. Bastard flat files
  • Belt sandere.g. Belt sanders
  • Bench doge.g. Bench dogs
  • Power grinderse.g. Bench grinders
  • Bench visese.g. Bench vises
  • Biscuit jointerse.g. Biscuit joiners
  • Biscuit jointerse.g. Biscuit joining machines
  • Planese.g. Block planes
  • Boring machinese.g. Boring machines
  • Wood chiselse.g. Bowl gouges
  • Tracer or duplicating or contouring lathee.g. Bowl lathes
  • Hand or push drille.g. Braces and bits
  • MathematicsKnowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • Building and ConstructionKnowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
  • Production and ProcessingKnowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
  • MechanicalKnowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  • DesignKnowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
  • Engineering and TechnologyKnowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.