← Back to search

Wood Machinist

394213 · Heavy Next-day ready

Career data Verified

Woodworking machine operators set up and operate woodworking machines such as saws, drill presses, lathes, routers, sanders and wood nailing machines.

Most common salary $55k – $86k
Upper salary up to $112k
Training 0-3 years

Description

Cuts, planes, turns, shapes and sands wood stock to specifications.

Typical work tasks

Sets up woodworking machines and wood stock for correct cutting, planning, turning, shaping and sanding; operates machines to cut, plane, turn, shape and sand work pieces; removes old finishes by stripping with steel wool and glasspaper, and by applying solvents and paint strippers, and removing softened finishes by scraping; applying varnish, shellac, lacquer, stains and paint to surfaces and polishing and waxing finished surfaces; fitting and fastening frame pieces; mounting backing materials and subjects for framing.

Typical work environment

  • Works indoors in joinery and woodworking workshops.
  • Workshops are likely to be adequately heated and equipped with dust vapour and fume extraction equipment.
  • A variety of personal protective equipment including ear muffs and eye and breathing protection may be as appropriate.

Typical physical and mental demands

  • Physical demand level is up to heavy.
  • Standing and walking is frequently required about the factory to move equipment, supplies and carry out various tasks often on concrete floors.
  • Sitting is not required.
  • Stretching up and across is frequently required when polishing and lacquer spraying.
  • Squatting, crouching and/or kneeling is occasionally required especially when accessing awkward spaces on furniture.
  • Twisting of the body or neck is occasionally required in carrying out tasks such as sanding and spray painting or lacquering.
  • Handling of wooden furniture items, lacquers, solvents and paints is constantly required.
  • Lifting and carrying of finished items of furniture about the workshop is frequently required.
  • Bending is frequently required.
  • Repetitive movements are frequently required especially in the use of hands and arms for sanding and applying finishes.
  • Driving is not required.
  • There is a requirement for the use of a range of hand power and machine tools including sanding machines and hand sanding materials, as well as spray guns.
  • Mental skills necessary include practical, problem-solving and planning skills.
Entry signal Reviewed

Enter via experience or on-the-job training; no mandatory pre-entry qualification. Flagged next-day ready.

Entry barrier Experience or on-job training
Licence / registration No licence required
ANZSCO skill level 3
Next-day ready Yes

How this was determined (model-generated): Wood machinist; qualification OR experience, entry-level OJT, no licence. Upheld.

Entry Requirements

A New Zealand Register Level 4 qualification or at least three years of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 3). In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification. For entry-level positions on-the-job training may be sufficient.

Further Comments

There are opportunities for flexibility of movement but they are limited.