Tool & Die Maker

For more information about this trade, contact the training co-ordinator.

What does a Tool and Die Maker do?

A tool and die maker fabricates a wide variety of tools, jigs, fixtures and dies for use in industrial and manufacturing production.

Tool and die makers build, repair and modify custom-made prototypes or special tools, jigs, fixtures, gauges, dies, moulds, press tools and various types of small mechanical devices. Jigs and fixtures are devices that hold work pieces while they are bored, stamped, milled or drilled. Dies are metal forms used to shape metal in stamping and forging operations. They can be combination draw, compound, flexible, embossing, coining or progressive. Metal moulds are used for moulding plastics.

As a tool and die maker, you can expect to do some or all of the following tasks:

• fit and assemble a variety of tools and dies
• cut material to a required length, angle or contour using power saws and file materials
• turn and/or bore contours, spheres and parallel surfaces
• drill and ream holes of various sizes and depths in a variety of materials, using drills, lathes and horizontal or vertical mills
• mill, shape and plane metal surfaces
• cut threads, keyways, slots, serrations and grooves on shafts and other works
• grind and sand metal surfaces
• test surfaces for cracks, hardness and finishes using a variety of equipment and applications
• manipulate metal through the use of heat

As a further example of work in the trade, when a mould is required for the mass production of a plastic part, a tool and die maker:

• plans the project working from blueprints, models or verbal instructions
• chooses, measures and marks metal stock
• uses a variety of machine tools to machine parts to close tolerances
• applies heat treatments if required
• checks the accuracy of work and assembling of parts
• tests completed device for proper operation

Tool and die makers fabricate tools and equipment that, like pieces of a puzzle, require a perfect fit. While this occupation is closely allied to the machinist trade and encompasses many of the same skills, tool and die makers usually specialize in producing jigs, fixtures, dies and moulds. They spend more time fitting and assembling precision components.

Trends in the industry indicate an increase in the application of geometric dimensioning, tolerancing and quality assurance standards. Employers require highly qualified people with good academic backgrounds to operate increasingly more complicated machinery and to maintain quality workmanship and standards.

What skills/abilities are required?

If you like making things to exacting specifications, enjoy detail and working with metal as well as crafting with hand and power tools, consider becoming a tool and die maker. A tool and die maker's work depends upon precise measurements and accuracy so good math skills are important. They must be able to read and interpret information from blueprints, drawings and specifications to fabricate all types of tools and dies. Being mechanically minded is a plus. Depending on where you work, this trade allows for both variety and specialization.

To be successful in the trade, tool and die makers need:

• the ability to work quickly, yet patiently and accurately
• mechanical ability to use tools and machines to build complex parts
• good manual dexterity and an eye" for shape and size
• good eyesight and hand/eye coordination
• ability to visualize a finished product
• logical reasoning ability
• the ability to work with both metric and imperial measurements
• strong academic fundamentals in mathematics, physics, metallurgy and engineering drawings

How long is the apprenticeship program?

The apprenticeship is four years consisting of four levels. Practical and technical training is a minimum of 1800 hours per level. About 80 per cent of the time is spent learning practical on-the-job skills under the supervision of a certified journeyperson and 20 per cent consists of learning the theoretical and technical aspects of the trade through in-school training.

What is taught during in-school/technical training?

During your apprenticeship, you attend periods of technical training to enhance and reinforce on- the-job experience. Subject areas include:

• Trade-related Mathematics and Science
• Machine Shop Theory and Metallurgy
• Sketching, Engineering Drawings and Drafting
• Measuring and Layout Equipment
• Hand Tools and Benchwork
• Drill Presses and Drilling
• Lathes, Milling and Power Machines and Machining Mechanics
• Grinding, Balancing, Boring and Reaming
• Electrical Discharge Machines (EDM) and Computerized Numerical Control Equipment
• Jigs and Fixtures, Tapers, Splines and Drills
• Tool and Die Design, Manufacturing and Construction
• Blanking Dies and Piercing Dies
• Thread Cutting

Link to Curriculum Information

What is the supervision ratio?

As experience comprises the bulk of apprenticeship training, it is essential that each apprentice has on-site access to a skilled journeyperson and receives the attention and guidance necessary to perform the tasks of the trade safely and efficiently.

For every apprentice working in this trade, the employer is required to maintain a 1:1 ratio of apprentices to journeypersons on-site and must ensure that the apprentice is directly supervised by a certified journeyperson in the trade.

What are the entrance requirements?

High School Apprenticeship Program (HSAP): Begin your apprenticeship training in high school. A minimum age of 16 years in required.

General Admission: A Grade 12 or equivalent high school academic standing is required including a recommended course Math and Science. If you do not hold a high school diploma, you can also qualify as an Access Program Trainee (formerly Mature Student). Prior Learning Recognition and Assessment may be required.

Trades Qualification: If you are experienced in the trade, but do not hold a Certificate of Qualification, you may become a certified journeyperson based on years of proven industry experience and successful completion of the Red Seal Examination. A Trades Qualification Application and trade specific work experience form must be submitted. Trades professionals whose entrance readiness is less than that required, must take appropriate upgrading.

For additional details on entrance requirements and how to begin your apprenticeship or obtain certification, see section on "How to Start".

Do I get a certificate?

When you successfully complete all your required levels of practical experience and technical training, you write an interprovincial examination. You must score at least 70 per cent or better to qualify for a “Red Seal” endorsed interprovincial certificate confirming your status as a certified journeyperson.

Your “Red Seal” endorsed Certificate of Qualification as a journeyperson in this trade is recognized throughout Canada.

What salary can I expect as an apprentice?

Regulations under the Apprenticeship and Certification Act establish minimum wage rates for apprentices. Every employer who enters into an apprenticeship agreement with an apprentice must ensure that the apprentice is paid at least the minimum wage rate for that trade.

Apprentices who work for unionized employers are entitled to the wage rate in the collective agreement if it exceeds the pay rates specified in the trade regulation.

Employers may also provide other benefits such as group insurance for health, dental and vision care and training benefits.

Current wage details are available by downloading the training wage schedule.

What are the career prospects?

Tool and die makers are employed in large factories or in smaller industrial complexes. They usually work indoors in "tool rooms" or machine shops in businesses that manufacture metal working machinery, tools and dies, automobiles, aircraft, electrical machinery, fabricated metal products and plastics.

Experienced tool and die makers may advance to supervisory positions. A few become tool designers and/or open their own tool and die shops. With additional training, tool and die makers can transfer their skills to related occupations such as machinist or millwright.

The variety of work involved, coupled with the range of fields open to machinists, makes specialization within this trade fairly common. As precise and detailed work is a large part of a machinist's job, the industry is seeing an increased use of computer controlled machinery. This means machinists must be comfortable working with advanced equipment and continually look at upgrading their skills. Experienced machinists may advance to positions such as inspector foreman or superintendent. Some machinists start small job shops of their own. With additional training they may transfer their skills to related occupations such as Tool and Die Maker or Millwright.

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