Day in the life
A Day in the Life of a Metal Pourer
What metal pourers actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
What is a typical day like for a metal pourer?
Inspect ladles. From there, the day usually includes pour molten metal, control pour rate, and skim slag. Full time, often shifts.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for a metal pourer working full time.
- Inspect ladles.
- Preheat the ladle.
- Check metal temperature.
- Pour molds on the line.
- Skim slag.
- Shake out castings.
- Clean up.
Where metal pourers work
Pourers work in hot, dusty foundries.
Hours and schedule
Full time, often shifts.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Pour molten metal
- Control pour rate
- Skim slag
- Check temperature
- Fill molds
- Shake out castings
- Maintain ladles
Tools you’ll use every day
- Ladles
- Pyrometers
- Skimmers
- Cranes
- Molds
- Shakeout equipment
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Skilled craft
- No degree needed
- Industrial pay
- Teamwork
What’s hard
- Extreme heat
- Molten metal hazards
- Declining employment
- Dust
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I like foundry work
- I’m steady-handed
- I can handle heat
- I’m safety-focused
- I like teamwork
- I don’t need a degree
Not sure? Take the free Metal Pourer fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Wear aluminized PPE
- Dry all tools
- Clear pour areas
- Follow crane signals