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Patternmakers, Wood
Plan, lay out, and construct wooden unit or sectional patterns used in forming sand molds for castings.
Other titles employers use
Mold Maker · Pattern Engineer · Pattern Maker · Patternmaker · Wood Pattern Maker · Wood Patternmaker · Wood Shop Moldmaker · Woodshop Worker
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- Read blueprints, drawings, or written specifications to determine sizes and shapes of patterns and required machine setups.
- Fit, fasten, and assemble wood parts together to form patterns, models, or sections, using glue, nails, dowels, bolts, and screws.
- 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.
- Trim, smooth, and shape surfaces, and plane, shave, file, scrape, and sand models to attain specified shapes, using hand tools.
- Divide patterns into sections according to shapes of castings to facilitate removal of patterns from molds.
- Verify dimensions of completed patterns, using templates, straightedges, calipers, or protractors.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to practical, creative and organizing work.
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Creative
- Making, designing, writing, or performing without one set answer
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension
- Monitoring
- Complex Problem Solving
- Operations Monitoring
- Operation and Control
- Active Listening
Subjects to know
- Mathematics
- Design
- Engineering and Technology
- Mechanical
- Building and Construction
Useful strengths
- Manual Dexterity
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Control Precision
- Near Vision
- Reaction Time
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 3.6 | Shared rooms, but not shoulder to shoulder |
| On your feet | 4.0 | Standing or moving for most of it |
| Talking face to face | 4.4 | A regular part of the day |
| Working with your hands | 4.4 | Handling tools, instruments or materials |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a high school diploma. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- High school or less 58%
- A certificate or some college 42%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
- Electronic mail software
- Computer aided manufacturing CAM software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 50
- Job openings each year
- 10
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- —
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio | 50 | 10 | — |
| Missouri | 40 | 0 | — |
Career to college
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Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
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