Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic: Career & Application Guide

What do forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic do?

Set up, operate, or tend forging machines to taper, shape, or form metal or plastic parts.

This describes a U.S. occupation, not a live vacancy. Individual employers may use different titles and requirements.

Job titles to recognize in your search

O*NET reports these titles for this occupation. Compare the responsibilities in each posting before treating titles as equivalent.

Blacksmith
Forge Operator
Forge Press Operator
Forger
Hammer Operator
Header Operator
Hot Press Forger
Machine Operator

Core tasks to compare with a job posting

Start machines to produce sample workpieces, and observe operations to detect machine malfunctions and to verify that machine setups conform to specifications.
Read work orders or blueprints to determine specified tolerances and sequences of operations for machine setup.
Confer with other workers about machine setups and operational specifications.
Measure and inspect machined parts to ensure conformance to product specifications.
Turn handles or knobs to set pressures and depths of ram strokes and to synchronize machine operations.
Set up, operate, or tend presses and forging machines to perform hot or cold forging by flattening, straightening, bending, cutting, piercing, or other operations to taper, shape, or form metal.
Trim and compress finished forgings to specified tolerances.

Prepare an application for this occupation

Check the employer’s requirements, location, schedule and any licenses against your situation.
Choose two or three tasks above that match the posting and your actual experience.
Build a resume evidence worksheet using the skills and software relevant to that employer.
Practice explaining your contribution, decisions and results before an interview.

Ready to plan your search?

Start with forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic as your target. You can change your role in the quiz and tell us your location and work preferences.

Start my job-search quiz