Go to a local hardware store. See how many different tools there are for each job. Pick the area of the store that interests you most and ask an employee more about the tools there.

Visit a hardware store and look around.

Try these quick projects from Khan Academy that you can do at home. Build a simple motor, a ping pong ball launcher, or something else from the list!

Develop mechanics knowledge with hands-on projects!

Read about benefits of manual labor. While these points are geared toward construction, they can apply to a whole variety of manual labor careers. Does manual labor seem like a path you're interested in?

Explore the benefits of manual labor.

Millwrights

Install, dismantle, or move machinery and heavy equipment according to layout plans, blueprints, or other drawings.

Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Realistic

Second Interest High-Point

Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Investigative

Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Conventional

Third Interest High-Point

Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

Artistic

Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Enterprising

Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Social

First Interest High-Point

Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed

Industrial Machinery Installation, Repair, and Maintenance Workers

Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations

Other Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations

Insert shims, adjust tension on nuts and bolts, or position parts, using hand tools and measuring instruments, to set specified clearances between moving and stationary parts.

Level bedplate and establish centerline, using straightedge, levels, and transit.

Align machines or equipment, using hoists, jacks, hand tools, squares, rules, micrometers, lasers, or plumb bobs.

Assemble and install equipment, using hand tools and power tools.

Signal crane operator to lower basic assembly units to bedplate, and align unit to centerline.

Conduct preventative maintenance and repair, and lubricate machines and equipment.

Replace defective parts of machine or adjust clearances and alignment of moving parts.

Attach moving parts and subassemblies to basic assembly unit, using hand tools and power tools.

Assemble machines, and bolt, weld, rivet, or otherwise fasten them to foundation or other structures, using hand tools and power tools.

Lay out mounting holes, using measuring instruments, and drill holes with power drill.

Position steel beams to support bedplates of machines and equipment, using blueprints and schematic drawings, to determine work procedures.

Shrink-fit bushings, sleeves, rings, liners, gears, and wheels to specified items, using portable gas heating equipment.

Move machinery and equipment, using hoists, dollies, rollers, and trucks.

Dismantle machinery and equipment for shipment to installation site, usually performing installation and maintenance work as part of team.

Weld, repair, and fabricate equipment or machinery.

Dismantle machines, using hammers, wrenches, crowbars, and other hand tools.

Fabricate and dismantle parts, equipment, and machines, using a cutting torch or other cutting equipment.

Bolt parts, such as side and deck plates, jaw plates, and journals, to basic assembly unit.

Construct foundation for machines, using hand tools and building materials such as wood, cement, and steel.

Install robot and modify its program, using teach pendant.

Troubleshoot equipment, electrical components, hydraulics, or other mechanical systems.

Connect power unit to machines or steam piping to equipment, and test unit to evaluate its mechanical operation.

Operate engine lathe to grind, file, and turn machine parts to dimensional specifications.

Adjustable wrenches

Air compressors

Alignment telescopes

Allen wrenches

Angled feeler gauges

Arbor presses

Ball peen hammers

Bandsaws

Bearing heaters

Bearing pullers

Belt sanders

Bevel protractors

Block and tackle equipment

Box end wrenches

Brass hammers

Bucket pumps

Cable cutters

Carpenters' levels

Center punches

Chain cutters

Chain falls

Chain hoists

Chain wrenches

Chipping hammers

Claw hammers

Millwrights

Overview

Career

What Millwrights Do

Other Job Titles Millwrights May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Millwrights

Overview

Career

What Millwrights Do

Other Job Titles Millwrights May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Education

Level of Education Attained by Millwrights

Majors Related to Career

Related Careers

Related Leaders