Model Makers, Wood: Career & Application Guide

What do model makers, wood do?

Construct full-size and scale wooden precision models of products. Includes wood jig builders and loft workers.

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

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Read blueprints, drawings, or written specifications, and consult with designers 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, screws, and other fasteners.
Verify dimensions and contours of models during hand-forming processes, using templates and measuring devices.
Trim, smooth, and shape surfaces, and plane, shave, file, scrape, and sand models to attain specified shapes, using hand tools.
Plan, lay out, and draw outlines of units, sectional patterns, or full-scale mock-ups of products.
Construct wooden models, patterns, templates, full scale mock-ups, and molds for parts of products and production tools.
Select wooden stock, determine layouts, and mark layouts of parts on stock, using precision equipment such as scribers, squares, and protractors.
Mark identifying information on patterns, parts, and templates to indicate assembly methods and details.
Set up, operate, and adjust a variety of woodworking machines such as bandsaws and planers to cut and shape sections, parts, and patterns, according to specifications.
Maintain pattern records for reference.

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