Day in the life
A Day in the Life of a Wood Patternmaker
What wood patternmakers 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 wood patternmaker?
Review drawings. From there, the day usually includes read drawings, add shrink and draft, and cut and shape wood. Full-time daytime hours.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for a wood patternmaker working full time.
- Review drawings.
- Lay out with a shrink rule.
- Cut pieces.
- Glue up blocks.
- Shape on the lathe.
- Add fillets.
- Seal the pattern.
Where wood patternmakers work
Patternmakers work in pattern shops.
Hours and schedule
Full-time daytime hours.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Read drawings
- Add shrink and draft
- Cut and shape wood
- Build core boxes
- Seal patterns
- Repair patterns
- Inspect
Tools you’ll use every day
- Wood lathes
- Band saws
- Shrink rules
- Planers
- Chisels
- CNC routers
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Rare craft
- Precision woodworking
- Daytime hours
- Problem-solving
What’s hard
- Tiny field
- Dust
- Few openings
- Being replaced by 3D printing
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I love woodworking
- I like precision
- I like rare skills
- I’m patient
- I like daytime hours
- I like problem-solving
Not sure? Take the free Wood Patternmaker fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Use guards
- Wear eye and dust protection
- Keep tools sharp
- Control dust