British Columbia - Vancouver & Lower Mainland Southwest
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GearCabinetmaker Trade Skills

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Common Occupational Skills

Plans work activities.
Interprets drawings and specifications.
  • knowledge of contract documents (drawings, agreements and specifications)
  • knowledge of metric and imperial systems
  • ability to read and interpret contract documents, tenders and standards set by the Architectural Woodwork Manufacturers Association of Canada (AWMAC)
  • ability to determine scope of work and scheduling of deadlines
  • ability to determine type and quality of construction, materials, workmanship and finish from specifications
  • ability to source new materials
Estimates job cost.
  • knowledge of various materials and hardware
  • knowledge of waste factors for solid wood, sheet materials and other products
  • ability to determine material requirements
  • ability to determine job costs
  • ability to perform mathematical calculations
Plans work process.
  • knowledge of various types of material and hardware used in the construction of cabinets, furniture, millwork, doors and/or frames
  • knowledge of various types of adhesives and application techniques
  • knowledge of lumber technology : hardwood, softwood, wood fibre, wood cells, grain patterns, quality of wood, natural and artificial drying
  • knowledge of the various types of wood parts used in the construction of cabinets, furniture, joinery and millwork
  • ability to plan machining processes so as to ensure a safe, logical sequence of operations
  • ability to plan machining processes in order to ensure that tools, materials and equipment are readily accessible
  • ability to examine and evaluate stock defects
  • ability to use a moisture meter for measuring moisture content in lumber
  • ability to properly store solid wood before and between operations
  • ability to optimise the yield of solid wood stock and sheet goods
  • ability to write schedule of materials
  • ability to distinguish machine set-up, product handling and machine times
Makes shop drawings.
  • knowledge of basic principles of orthographic, isometric and oblique drawings
  • knowledge of ergonomics
  • knowledge of the 32 mm system for cabinets, hardware and joints
  • knowledge of furniture styles
  • knowledge of key elements of related trades
  • knowledge of various construction techniques
  • knowledge of miscellaneous materials (i.e. glass, metals, plastics, etc.)
  • knowledge of computer technology (CAD – creating drawings)
  • ability to determine best method of installation
  • ability to prepare sketches
  • ability to draw plan, elevation and sectional views
  • ability to simplify designs to facilitate production
  • ability to draw enlarged construction details, exploded views and joints
  • ability to dimension drawings and to label parts, components, assemblies, sub-assemblies and hardware requirements
  • ability to communicate ideas, designs and methods of construction for the manufacture of a project
Lays out components.
  • ability to take and accurately record site measurements
  • ability to check angles and draw rough sketches of site plan with access to building
  • ability to verify access for electricity, plumbing, heating, air-conditioning and communication devices
  • ability to verify compliance with regulations and codes
  • ability to verify sizes of equipment fitting into cabinets
  • ability to assess sizes of units and their installation in relation to constraints regarding transportation and site access
  • ability to create layout and templates accurately
Uses hand and portable power tools.
Uses hand tools.
  • ability to shape wood using various edge-cutting tools
  • ability to cut wood and wood products using various types of hand saws
  • ability to smooth surfaces with a plane
  • ability to bore and drill holes
  • ability to use metalworking tools
Maintains hand tools.
  • ability to maintain hand tools
  • ability to sharpen tool blades and bits
Uses portable power tools.
  • ability to use portable wood cutting tools
  • ability to shape cabinet components using a portable router, panel trimmer, spline joinery system, power plane or angle grinder
  • ability to secure and assemble components using portable power drills, screw guns, nail guns, staplers, glue sprayers and powder-actuated tools
  • ability to use portable sanders
  • ability to perform basic maintenance of various portable power tools
Maintains machines and equipment.
Performs preventive maintenance.
  • knowledge of lubricants and lubrication schedule
  • ability to clean machines and equipment
  • ability to lubricate working parts
  • ability to inspect parts for wear and tear
  • ability to perform preventive maintenance
  • ability to conduct safety checks of machines and equipment
  • ability to tune up woodworking machinery
Performs scheduled maintenance.
  • knowledge of grinding angles for various types of cutter blocks
  • knowledge of cutter balance
  • knowledge of sharpening knives, cutters, etc.
  • ability to install knives and cutters
  • ability to perform scheduled maintenance of woodworking machines and equipment
  • ability to troubleshoot woodworking machines and equipment
  • ability to set table beds
Builds prototypes.
Designs templates, jigs and fixtures.
  • knowledge of the principles of sound design for templates, jigs and fixtures
  • ability to analyse production processes to determine templates, jigs and fixtures required
  • ability to manufacture related devices as needed
Fabricates templates, jigs and fixtures.
  • knowledge of various fastening devices used in the construction of jigs and fixtures
  • knowledge of assembly techniques to withstand stress and physical strain
  • ability to prepare metal parts
  • ability to assemble jigs and fixtures
  • ability to select and install holding clamps on jigs and fixtures
  • ability to try out templates, jigs and fixtures in order to assess accuracy, efficiency and safe operation
  • ability to label jigs and fixtures with the date, job number, cutter diameter, guide dimensions cutters and construction notes
  • ability to select proper materials for durability, time and use
Designs prototypes.
  • knowledge of one-off and mass production techniques
  • ability to plan the construction of a prototype
  • ability to determine most appropriate production techniques and machines for each component
  • ability to make accurate cost estimates for prototyping
Builds prototypes.
  • ability to machine and assemble prototypes
  • ability to evaluate prototypes and to modify as required
Works on job site.
Prepares products for shipment.
  • ability to visit job site to ensure access, space, services and proper blocking
  • ability to pack and prepare products for transportation in order to prevent damages
  • ability to design cost-effective packages
  • ability to determine products movement on shop floor
  • ability to establish delivery schedules
Installs products.
  • knowledge of proper storage
  • knowledge of common fastening devices
  • knowledge of proper site conditions relative to heat, moisture and light.
  • knowledge of subtrades and trades requirements that follow up.
  • ability to prepare site to ensure proper, clean and effective installation
  • ability to unload cabinets to prevent damages
  • ability to align, fit, scribe, adjust, level, shim and secure prefabricated cabinets according to specifications
  • ability to provide proper blocking
  • ability to make cut-outs for electrical and mechanical outlets
  • ability to perform house keeping on-site
Installs hardware.
  • knowledge of hardware available
  • ability to install hardware
  • ability to adjust hardware, cabinets and furniture components

Machining

Machines components using stationary woodworking machines.
Breaks out solid wood.
  • knowledge of the properties and characteristics of wood
  • knowledge of machinery used to break out solid stock
  • ability to take off measurements from production dockets
  • ability to cut stock to rough sizes
  • ability to edge and surface stock
  • ability to glue machined stock
  • ability to trim glued parts to finish size
Breaks out sheet materials.
  • knowledge of proper procedures prior to operation of tools
  • knowledge of various applications of different types of saw blades
  • knowledge of the properties, characteristics, grades and strength of various types of built-up materials
  • ability to adjust fences
  • ability to select and install blades
  • ability to cut stock using different types of saws
  • ability to straighten and square materials
  • ability to maximize the use of sheet materials
  • ability to finish-cut sheet materials
Dresses solid wood.
  • ability to surface and edge stock in a logical and proper sequence
  • ability to straighten and square materials
  • ability to cut tapers, bevels, chamfers and rabbets
  • ability to machine stock to thickness and width
  • ability to adjust planers
  • ability to mill lumber to tolerances
Shapes solid wood and composite materials.
  • knowledge of CNC equipment and duplicators for duplicating parts
  • ability to use wood shaping equipment
  • ability to mount and dismount cutters
  • ability to machine parts on boring equipment
  • ability to use sawing equipment
Machines joints.
  • knowledge of various types of assembly joints
  • ability to lay out assembly joints
  • ability to machine assembly joints
  • ability to set up for machine joints
Sands products.
  • knowledge of various types of abrasives
  • knowledge of various types of backing
  • knowledge of sanding actions of various types of sanders
  • ability to sand parts using sanding blocks
  • ability to use portable power sanders
  • ability to use stationary sanders
  • ability to make sanding pads, jigs and fixtures
  • ability to securely mount abrasives on sanding pads
  • ability to perform final sanding ready for the application of finishes
Performs quality control functions.
  • knowledge of ISO standards
  • knowledge of allowances required to compensate for material movement
  • knowledge of appropriate environmental conditions for the storage of materials
  • knowledge of grain and colour matching
  • ability to store materials properly
  • ability to inspect materials to ensure compliance with specifications
Machines components using automated equipment.
Sets up automated equipment for production run.
  • knowledge of various types of industrial equipment in common use
  • knowledge of the capacity and limitations of machining equipment
  • ability to set up industrial equipment
Machines components.
  • knowledge of computer-controlled NC machines
  • knowledge of computer assisted design (CAD) and computer assisted manufacturing (CAM)
  • knowledge of computerized production planning (CPP)
  • knowledge of computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM)
  • ability to machine components using industrial equipment

Forming And Laminating

Bends wood and related materials.
Bends cabinets and furniture parts.
  • knowledge of form construction
  • knowledge of atmospheric pressure
  • knowledge of allowances required for straining, expansion and spring back
  • ability to design and build forms, steam bending box and vacuum presses
  • ability to steam wood for bending
  • ability to bend steamed parts
  • ability to machine steam-bent parts
  • ability to vacuum-press irregular surfaces
  • ability to machine vacuum-bent parts
Uses flexible composite materials.
  • knowledge of lay-up of sub-structure prior to application
  • ability to properly identify materials and their uses
  • ability to apply flexible composite materials
Bends solid and composite materials.
  • knowledge of materials in common use for bending
  • knowledge of lay-up of sub-structure prior to application
  • knowledge of glue-up procedures
  • knowledge of adhesive properties
  • ability to bend solid and composite material

External Links

Laminates wood and related materials.
Builds forms for curved lamination.
  • knowledge of wood laminating principles
  • knowledge of allowances required for straining, expansion, springback and atmospheric pressures
  • ability to design and construct wood laminating forms
  • ability to dress curved laminations
  • ability to use proper fastening devices
Laminates parts and components.
  • knowledge of the properties and characteristics of various types of adhesives, strength, application, clamping and drying time
  • ability to prepare wood for laminating
  • ability to laminate parts
  • ability to machine components

External Links

Veneers And Laminates

Applies veneers and inlays.
Prepares veneers and inlays.
  • knowledge of various methods of cutting veneers
  • knowledge of proper storage techniques
  • knowledge of various types of veneers
  • knowledge of various types of adhesives used for veneering
  • ability to estimate the quantity of veneer required in the flitch
  • ability to select veneer by colour and grain pattern
  • ability to cut veneers
  • ability to match veneers to form different patterns: slip, book, diamond, random match, etc.
  • ability to splice veneers
  • ability to prepare surfaces to be veneered
  • ability to apply veneers
  • ability to repair veneers
Applies veneers and inlays.
  • knowledge for proper sequencing for applying veneers and inlays
  • ability to recess stock to receive inlays
  • ability to cut and apply inlays

External Links

Applies laminated materials.
Prepares plastic and metal laminates.
  • knowledge of the properties and characteristics of various types of adhesives used for gluing laminates
  • knowledge of various types, sizes and finishes of laminate materials
  • knowledge of the properties and characteristics of various types of plastic and metal laminates
  • ability to cut laminates
Applies plastic and metal laminates.
  • knowledge of materials required to touch up and repair laminates
  • ability to prepare base for laminates
  • ability to apply laminates
  • ability to trim edges of laminates
  • ability to clean laminates
  • ability to produce laminated joints
Applies solid surfaces.
Prepares solid surfaces.
  • knowledge of manufacturers certification programs required to work solid surfaces
  • knowledge of proper sub-structure and perimeter support
  • knowledge of adhesives and installation techniques
  • ability to weld joints of solid surface materials
  • ability to machine, polish and clean solid surface materials
Installs solid surfaces.
  • ability to prepare base for solid surface materials according to manufacturers instructions
  • ability to install solid surface materials
  • ability to repair solid surface materials

External Links

Applies edge treatment.
Prepares edges and materials.
  • knowledge of various types of edging
  • knowledge of various assembly methods
  • ability to prepare materials for edge treatment
Applies edge treatment.
  • knowledge of various types of adhesives
  • knowledge of various clamping techniques
  • ability to select and apply various clamping techniques
  • ability to apply edging
  • ability to machine edges

Assembly

Assembles cabinets.
Performs sub-assembly of cabinets.
  • knowledge of various assembly methods
  • knowledge of various hardware and fasteners
  • knowledge of adhesives
  • ability to install required hardware
  • ability to use hardware and fasteners
  • ability to use adhesives
  • ability to assemble cabinet frames, fronts, backs, sides and tops
Performs final assembly of cabinets.
  • knowledge of various hardware and fasteners
  • knowledge of adhesives
  • ability to assemble fabricated components and sub-assemblies of cabinets
  • ability to install and adjust hardware
  • ability to fit braces to correct angle
  • ability to use hardware and fasteners
  • ability to use adhesives
Assembles furniture.
Performs sub-assembly of furniture.
  • knowledge of various hardware and fasteners
  • knowledge of adhesives
  • knowledge of various assembly methods
  • ability to assemble drawers
  • ability to create furniture assemblies
  • ability to assemble panel doors
  • ability to install required hardware
  • ability to use various hardware and fasteners
  • ability to use adhesives
Performs final assembly of furniture.
  • knowledge of various hardware and fasteners
  • knowledge of adhesives
  • ability to assemble fabricated components and sub-assemblies of furniture
  • ability to install and adjust hardware
  • ability to fit braces to correct angle
  • ability to use various hardware and fasteners
  • ability to use adhesives
Assembles architectural woodwork/millwork products.
Performs sub-assembly of architectural woodwork/millwork products.
  • knowledge of various hardware and fasteners
  • knowledge of adhesives
  • ability to assemble interior sidelights, transoms, etc.
  • ability to assemble doors, windows and frames
  • ability to install glass
  • ability to prepare components for hardware installation
  • ability to use various hardware and fasteners
  • ability to use adhesives
Performs final assembly of architectural woodwork/millwork products.
  • knowledge of various hardware and fasteners
  • knowledge of adhesives
  • knowledge of various assembly methods
  • ability to perform final assembly
  • ability to cut and fit mouldings
  • ability to carve mouldings
  • ability to cut regular and irregular shaped panels
  • ability to use various hardware and fasteners
  • ability to use adhesives
  • ability to install and adjust hardware and other components

External Links

Finishing And Restoration

Prepares and applies finishing materials.
Treats surfaces for finishing.
  • knowledge of abrasives suitable for final sanding
  • knowledge of finishing materials
  • ability to remove scratches, excess glue and other surface imperfections
  • ability to repair veneered and solid wood surfaces
  • ability to recognize defective products
  • ability to perform final sanding
  • ability to apply stabilizers
Prepares finishing materials.
  • knowledge of WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System) symbols
  • knowledge of critical data sheets, such as material safety data sheets (MSDS)
  • knowledge of various types and properties of finishing materials
  • knowledge of proper storage techniques to prevent damages
  • ability to prepare formulas and colours
  • ability to mix finishing materials
  • ability to use viscosity cups and to take readings
Finishes wood products.
  • knowledge of relative humidity
  • knowledge of surface tension and finishes
  • ability to apply wash coat
  • ability to apply fillers
  • ability to apply top-coats
  • ability to apply stain
  • ability to use various spraying systems
  • ability to recognize and correct furniture flaws
  • ability to use film gauge
  • ability to rub, polish and clean surfaces

External Links

Restores woodwork.
Repairs woodwork for restoration purposes.
  • knowledge of furniture styles
  • knowledge of furniture assembly methods
  • knowledge of finish removers
  • ability to determine restoration requirements
  • ability to replicate new parts and existing artifacts using hand tools and machinery
Touches up woodwork.
  • knowledge of various methods required to retouch finishing
  • ability to replicate finish
Strips woodwork.
  • knowledge of various stripping products
  • knowledge of various finishing removal techniques
  • ability to strip old finishes
  • ability to scrape and sand surfaces for staining and finishing
Refinishes woodwork.
  • knowledge of historical finishing techniques
  • ability to match existing finish

External Links

Provided by the Interprovincial Standards Red Seal Program National Occupational Analysis (NOA) http://www.red-seal.ca