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Tool and die maker skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Quoted expert

Miles Free

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical tool and die maker skills. We ranked the top skills for tool and die makers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 10.7% of tool and die maker resumes contained cnc as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a tool and die maker needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 tool and die maker skills for your resume and career

1. CNC

CNC stands for Computer Numerical Control. It is a subtractive manufacturing technique that usually uses computerized controls and machine tools to strip layers of material from a stock piece.

Here's how tool and die makers use cnc:

Job duties include but not limited to; Set up, program and operate Haas VF3 and VF6 CNC milling machines.
Completed Tool and Die Maker Apprenticeship 2001 - CNC and Manual machining experience - Heat treatment, metallurgy and welding process.

2. Grinders

Here's how tool and die makers use grinders:

Interpreted specifications and blueprints, set up/operated precision surface grinders.
Created CAD drawings to fabricate and repair dies with machine tools such as mills, lathes, surface grinders, etc.

3. Jigs

Here's how tool and die makers use jigs:

Manufactured numerous jigs fixtures and production aids to assist production workers.
Developed tooling for plastic injection, jigs and fixtures for prototype applications

4. Hand Tools

Here's how tool and die makers use hand tools:

Optimize, build and repair cross-bar transfer press automation, using machine tools, hand tools, welding equipment.
Use of hand tools, computerized equipment and precision instruments for machine tooling used for mass production of parts.

5. Machine Tools

Here's how tool and die makers use machine tools:

Set up, adjust, or operate basic or specialized machine tools used to perform precision machining operations.
Set up and operate all types of machine tools common to the trade.

6. Calipers

Here's how tool and die makers use calipers:

Utilized calipers, micrometers, and other measuring instruments to inspect carbide die to determine changes in dimensional requirements of dies.
Read measuring instruments of Various kinds such as micrometers, telescopic Gauges, height gauges, Dial calipers.

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7. Stamping Dies

Here's how tool and die makers use stamping dies:

Performed maintenance and troubleshooting of close tolerance, high speed carbide stamping dies in electronics manufacturing facility.
Maintained production stamping dies used to fabricate components to manufacture room air conditioners and dehumidifiers.

8. Manual Lathes

Here's how tool and die makers use manual lathes:

Required to weld, operate manual lathes, mills, surface grinder.
Set up and operate manual lathes and mills - Leblonde, Monarch, Summit, Bridgeport.

9. Math

Here's how tool and die makers use math:

Skilled in machining properties, blueprint reading and math as well as assisting with engineering design.
Conducted training to improve math skills and machine operations to accuracies of .0002 tolerances.

10. Apprenticeship Program

Here's how tool and die makers use apprenticeship program:

Completed apprenticeship program and received Tool & Die Maker Certification.
Completed state department of labor apprenticeship program.

11. Assembly Fixtures

Here's how tool and die makers use assembly fixtures:

Repaired custom production machining and assembly fixtures and performed troubleshooting of new fixtures in assembly and production precision machining environment.
Related tasks include building and repair of specialized tooling components for assembly fixtures and automation equipment.

12. Drill Presses

Here's how tool and die makers use drill presses:

Operated precision equipment and lathe, mills, cutoff saws, drill presses, and welding equipment.
Run all necessary machines such as grinder, lathes, mills, and drill presses.

13. Dial Indicators

Here's how tool and die makers use dial indicators:

Inspected work-in-progress and performed final inspection utilizing optical comparators, dial indicators and other inspection tools and gauges.
Verified dimensions, alignments and clearances, using measuringinstruments, such as dial indicators, gauge blocks, thickness gauges andmicrometers.

14. Wire EDM

Here's how tool and die makers use wire edm:

Performed the programming function of wire EDM and machine operation in making/repairing tool & die per shop order planning.
Programmed and setup and ran Wire EDM and CNC Mills to remake die sections from blue prints.

15. Preventive Maintenance

Here's how tool and die makers use preventive maintenance:

Order machine consumables, train apprentice machinists and monitor machine preventive maintenance to assure machine performance and accuracy.
Provided engineering change updates and preventive maintenance.

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What skills help Tool And Die Makers find jobs?

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What type of skills will young tool and die makers need?

Miles Free

Director, Industry Affairs, Precision Machined Products Association

Skills are essential, but most of our precision machining shops hire for attitude. We will help reliable candidates develop the skills that they need. If we look at employers having wants and needs: want - someone that knows their software. Needs - someone that knows how to adjust code; we'll teach them our software. Wants - excellent math skills. Requires the ability to do high school algebra, geometry, and trig.

Needs - people that can communicate an issue verbally and in writing.
That's where we see it. Critical thinking, ability to understand problems and their potential causes, ability to work well with others, without this, even a super-competent technically skilled person will probably find themselves changing jobs many times.

Do you want to know more?

List of tool and die maker skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a tool and die maker resume and required skills for a tool and die maker to have include:

CNC
Grinders
Jigs
Hand Tools
Machine Tools
Calipers
Stamping Dies
Manual Lathes
Math
Apprenticeship Program
Assembly Fixtures
Drill Presses
Dial Indicators
Wire EDM

Preventive Maintenance
Punch Press
MIG
Die Repair
Tig Welding
Sketch
Aerospace
Cad Cam
ISO
Hoists
Engineering Drawings
CAD/CAM
Solidworks
Test Runs

Engineering Changes
TIG
Plastic Injection Molds
Production Equipment
Blueprint Specifications
Grinding Machines
Stamping Presses
Grinding Wheels
G Code
Machine Shop Equipment
Comparators
Haas
Protractors

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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