Tool And Diemaker
Dura Automotive Inc.
As an Apprentice, under the watchful eye of a rotating list of highly trained Journeymen, I machined and finished Die pieces, including choosing mat'l, milling it, heat treating, and grinding. I modified punch blanks, inspected recently ran Dies for wear and repair-installing new sections or replacing broken punches as needed, safety trained for lockout procedure on in-press die work, sharpened my own drills, and played well with others when it was "tease the apprentice time". I ran the following machines: Surface Grinders-small hand wheel and large automatic, Bridgeport Mill, LeBlond manual Lathe. I used surface plates and height gages for scribe work, Calipers, Micrometers and Indicators as well as many hand tools and reference gages. I made many of my tools while an apprentice that I still use today in my newer job. I also went to college part-time at night. I was laid off with the other 6 apprentices 16 mos into my Apprenticeship-no Journeymans card.