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Operates panelboard of circular saw and conveyor system to saw logs to specified lengths and to move cut logs to other stations for further processing. Performs such operations as ripsawing, cross cutting, beveling, grooving and mitering of woodstock.

JOB DUTIES

Sawyers may:

Study layout lines on a workpiece to determine the kind of cuts to be made in the wood or metal

Determine the type of saw blade, blade tension, and feed rate needed for cutting

Mount the proper saw blade in the sawing machine and set the feed rates, blade tension, and cutting speed on the saw

Adjust stops and guides to control the size of cut made by the saw

Position the workpiece on the saw by hand or use a hoist and secure the workpiece using a wrench and clamps

Thread saw blades through holes in the workpiece for internal sawing

Weld blade ends together on a band saw

Start the saw & guide the workpiece along layout lines or start the automatic feeding device and observe its operation on the saw

Check the dimensions of the cut workpiece

Clean the saw and work area

The tools and equipment used may include:

Materials used by Sawyers include furniture stock, lumber, logs, and different types of metal stock.

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Sawyers may specialize in these areas:

667.682-022 CUT-OFF-SAW OPERATORS operate a variety of circular saws, with either single or multiple blades, to cut wood or wood products.

667.662-010 HEAD SAWYERS operate head saws and feed carriages to saw logs into different types of boards.

667.682-042 JIGSAW OPERATORS operate machines equipped with a narrow saw blade to make irregular external or internal cuts on wood stock.

667.482-018 STOCK CUTTERS operate saws to cut lumber according to a customer's order or to a plant's production requirements.

667.682-062 RIP-AND-GROOVE-MACHINE OPERATORS operate machines that rip and cut grooves on curved or irregularly shaped pieces of furniture stock.

667.682-010 BAND-SCROLL-SAW OPERATORS operate band saws to saw curved or irregular designs on wooden stock or to saw thick wooden pieces to size.

607.682-010 METAL-CUT-OFF-SAW OPERATORS set up and operate metal saws, such as friction saws or band saws, to cut metal stock to proper dimensions.

607.382-010 VERTICAL-CONTOUR-BAND-SAW OPERATORS set up and operate contour band sawing machines to saw straight, curved, or irregular cuts in metal or plastic workpieces.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following MOIScripts:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Sawyers may work alone or with other Sawyers or helpers. They generally work indoors under the supervision of a sawmill, factory, or metal shop supervisor.

A Sawyer who cuts wood usually sits or stands within a few feet of the saw and is subject to shrill, loud, monotonous noise, flying chips, and sawdust. Those who cut metal must watch for hot flying metal chips and sharp edges of metal stock. Sawyers working in metal shops or factories are required to buy safety shoes. Both types of Sawyers may also be subject to injuries from broken saw blades.

Both wood and metal Sawyers normally work 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. Sawyers working in metal shops often work the afternoon shift to meet production demands.

Wood Sawyers may work fewer hours in the winter, due to bad weather, and longer hours at other times of the year.

Sawyers may be unionized. Wood Sawyers may belong to The International Woodworkers of America. Most Metal Sawyers belong to the same union as other workers employed in their particular shop. Sawyers belonging to unions must pay dues.

You Should Prefer:

• Working indoors

• Activities dealing with things and objects

• Doing repetitive work such as sawing one type of stock to size

You Should Be Able To:

• Carry out repetitive sawing operations according to set procedures

• Follow written orders and instructions

• Work within precise limits or standards of accuracy

• Make decisions based on measurable information

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

If a piece of wood is 4 feet long, 5 feet wide and a thickness of 1 inch, what is the volume of the wood?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

Despite everyone's best efforts, however, accidents do sometimes occur. If you are involved in any accident while at work, report it to your supervisor immediately.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

You should be able to write a report explaining to your supervisor any malfunctions that might have occurred with the machinery.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

You should be able to decide the best type of saw to use to cut through a thick piece of metal efficiently.

To become a Sawyer, applicants must be at least 18 years old. Some employers require that applicants pass a physical examination.

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EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: On-The-Job Training provided by the employer or a High School Diploma or Equivalent or a High School Diploma with specific Vocational Education Classes may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the MOIScript:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0500 BUILDING TRADES , 0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 2200 MATH , 2300 METALS , 3200 TECHNICAL DRAWING , 3300 TECHNOLOGY , 3400 WOODS

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

049 MACHINE TOOL OPERATION/SHOP

Approved vocational education programs in Machine Tool Operation and Machine Shop prepare students to shape metal parts on machines such as lathes, grinders, drill presses, milling machines, and shapers. Programs may also train individuals in the use of one machine. Instruction is given in calculating dimensions; using precision measuring instruments such as layout tools, micrometers, and gages; machining and heat-treating various metals; and in laying out machine parts.

Courses in other trade and industrial programs may be required for completion of this programs.

High school students should consult their guidance office for more information about the specific requirements of this program at their school or area vocational education center.

053 WOODWORKING & FURNITURE MAKING

Approved vocational education programs in Woodworking and Furniture making prepare students to lay out and shape wood stock; assemble wooden articles; mark, bind, saw, carve, and sand wooden products; repair wooden articles; and use a variety of hand and power tools.

The following courses may be required for completion of this program:

FURNITURE MAKING

MILLWORK & CABINET BUILDING

High school students should consult their guidance office for more information about the specific requirements of this program at their school or area vocational education center.

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

There are no Postsecondary Programs related to this MOIScript  

Search for a College and/or Instructional Program  

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this MOIScript

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

There are no Military Programs related to this MOIScript  

E-Learning Courses and Programs

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OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Some summer or part-time work as a laborer in mills, factories, or metal shops may be available. This would provide an opportunity to observe Sawyers at work and, perhaps, to obtain some experience in sawing operations. Secondary vocational education programs in machine tool operation/shop or woodworking and furniture making may offer a co-op portion which includes practical experience.

School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Sawyer employer

internships

volunteer work with a Sawyer employer

community service work with an agency

Most Sawyers enter this field by applying directly to employers. Individuals usually learn this occupation through on-the-job training as laborers. Jobs may be located by consulting local unions, associations such as the Grand Rapids Area Furniture Manufacturers Association, your high school placement office, or local offices of Michigan Works!. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:

Michigan Talent Bank ( http://www.michworks.org/mtb/user/MTB_EMPL.EntryMainPage )

Michigan Jobs & Career Portal

Michigan Department of Career Development ( http://www.michigan.gov/mdcd )

Michigan Works! ( http://www.michiganworks.org/ )

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

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EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Earnings vary according to industry, geographic area, cost-of-living allowance, and extent of unionization. The wage rates of unionized Sawyers are usually higher than the wage rates of nonunionized Sawyers.

 Nationally, median earnings for Sawyers were $399 per week in 2001. Most earned between $250 and      $750 per week.  The median weekly earnings of  "all" workers in the U.S. were $597 in 2001.

In Michigan, unionized Sawyers working in the auto industry earned between $16.45 and $23.13 per hour in mid 2002. Auto workers also received a cost-of-living allowance.

In Michigan, Do-All Saw Operators earned an estimated average of $14.58 per hour in early 2001. Their earnings ranged between $9.76 and $21.25 per hour.

In the Grand Rapids area furniture industry, Sawyers earned the following estimated average hourly rates in late 2001:

The 2000 graduates of high school vocational education programs in Michigan who were working in jobs related to this occupation had average beginning hourly wages of $10.50 in 2001.

Workers also receive a small pay differential for working the afternoon or midnight shift. Some Sawyers are paid a base rate as well as incentive pay.

Depending on the employer, most Sawyers receive paid vacations and holidays; life, accident, disability, and hospitalization insurance; and retirement plans. In addition, Sawyers employed by automobile manufacturing companies receive dental and vision care benefits. These benefits are usually paid for, at least in part, by the employer.

Laborers who show enough interest and ability in their work may be given a chance to try out in a particular sawing operation. They will then have the opportunity to "bid on" (apply for) a sawyer job when a vacancy occurs. If their bids are accepted, workers must work a trial period to prove their ability. With experience and supervisory ability, Sawyers may advance to sawmill or metal shop supervisor.

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EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally, 52,800 Sawyers were employed in 2000. Employment of Sawyers is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2010. About 7.9% of them were self-employed. The industry distribution for Sawyers looked like this:

Some additional openings are expected each year as workers retire, die, or transfer to other lines of work.

Modest growth of domestic and foreign export lumber and wood products is expected through the end of the decade. Tight domestic lumber supplies, particularly in softwood, will force continued increases in imported finished softwood building products, such as softwood, plywood, particle board, oriented strand board and medium density fiberboard, from Canada. The continued restrictions upon the cutting done in old growth forests on federal and state land will negatively effect job opportunities for lumber sawyers. Domestic production will be concentrated in younger forest stock produced by private companies or on federal/State land. This younger forest stock yields much smaller dimensional finished lumber which is of lower quality.

Technological advances like computerized numerical machinery and robots will prevent employment from rising as fast as the demand for wood products, particularly in the mills and manufacturing plants where many of the processes can be automated. Finally, materials such as metal, plastic, and fiberglass will continue to be used as alternatives to wood in many products, primarily because they are cheaper, stronger, and easier to shape.

Approximately 1,575 Sawyers were employed in Michigan. Most of them worked in urban areas. Most Sawyers were employed in the manufacturing industry. They worked for companies producing industrial machinery, metal products, and transportation equipment. Some worked in sawmills and for companies producing wooden containers, plywood, and other finished products.

 Employment of Sawyers in Michigan is expected to decline through the year 2008. An average of 50 openings is expected, with all due to replacement of workers who retire, die, or leave the labor force for other reasons. Additional openings will occur as workers transfer to other jobs or occupations.

Employment of Sawyers and demand for the wood products they produce is directly related to the building and construction industry. During peak building periods employment opportunities increase for Sawyers.

Although demand for furniture products has steadily increased over the last few years, additional employment opportunities have not occurred. Furniture producers have increased the average number of hours worked by current employees, rather than hire additional workers.

MICHIGAN'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2008

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from the sources below.