Toolmakers and related workers
Toolmakers and related workers make and repair custom made and specialised tools, sports guns, locks, dies, patterns machinery components and other metal articles using hand and machine tools to work metal to fine tolerances.
Skill level: Semi-skilledCheck your pay
- Salary range for the majority of workers in Toolmakers and related workers - from R10 519 to R38 342 per month - 2026.
- A Toolmakers and related workers typically earns between R10 519 and R20 265 net per month at the start of the job.
- After 5 years of service, this is between R11 562 and R24 285 per month for a working week of 45 hours.
Salary Check
Duties and tasks
- Reading and interpreting engineering drawings and specifications of tools, dies, prototypes or models
- Preparing templates and sketches, and determining work processes
- Visualizing and computing dimensions, sizes, shapes and tolerances of assemblies, based on specifications
- Positioning, securing and measuring metal stock or castings to lay out for machining
- Setting up, operating and maintaining conventional and computer numerically controlled machine tools to cut, turn, mill, plane, drill, bore, grind or otherwise shape workpieces to prescribed dimensions and finish
- Fitting and assembling parts to make and repair jigs, fixtures and gauges
- Repairing and modifying sports guns and other small arms
- Making, fitting, assembling, repairing and installing lock parts and locks
- Making and repairing metal patterns for preparation of foundry moulds
- Laying out lines and reference points on metal stock to guide other workers who cut, turn, mill, grind or otherwise shape metal
- Verifying dimensions, alignments, and clearances of finished parts for conformance to specifications, using precision measuring instruments and testing completed items for proper operation
