Carpenters are involved in many different kinds of construction, from the building of highways and bridges to the installation of kitchen cabinets. Carpenters construct, erect, install, and repair structures and fixtures made from wood and other materials.
Each carpentry task is somewhat different, but most involve the same basic steps. Working from blueprints or instructions from supervisors, carpenters first do the layout—measuring, marking, and arranging materials—in accordance with local building codes. They cut and shape wood, plastic, fiberglass, or drywall using hand and power tools, such as chisels, planes, saws, drills, and sanders. They then join the materials with nails, screws, staples, or adhesives. In the last step, carpenters do a final check of the accuracy of their work with levels, rules, plumb bobs, framing squares, and surveying equipment, and make any necessary adjustments.
When working with prefabricated components, such as stairs or wall panels, the carpenter's task is somewhat simpler because it does not require as much layout work or the cutting and assembly of as many pieces. Prefabricated components are designed for easy and fast installation and generally can be installed in a single operation.
Some carpenters do many different carpentry tasks, while others specialize in one or two. Carpenters who remodel homes and other structures, for example, need a broad range of carpentry skills. As part of a single job, for example, they might frame walls and partitions, put in doors and windows, build stairs, install cabinets and molding, and complete many other tasks. Because these carpenters are so well-trained, they often can switch from residential building to commercial construction or remodeling work, depending on which offers the best work opportunities.
Carpenters who work for large construction contractors or specialty contractors may perform only a few regular tasks, such as constructing wooden forms for pouring concrete, or erecting scaffolding. Some carpenters build tunnel bracing, or brattices, in underground passageways and mines to control the circulation of air through the passageways and to worksites. Others build concrete forms for tunnel, bridge, or sewer construction projects.
Carpenters employed outside the construction industry perform a variety of installation and maintenance work. They may replace panes of glass, ceiling tiles, and doors, as well as repair desks, cabinets, and other furniture. Depending on the employer, carpenters install partitions, doors, and windows; change locks; and repair broken furniture. In manufacturing firms, carpenters may assist in moving or installing machinery.
Work environment. As is true of other building trades, carpentry work is sometimes strenuous. Prolonged standing, climbing, bending, and kneeling often are necessary. Carpenters risk injury working with sharp or rough materials, using sharp tools and power equipment, and working in situations where they might slip or fall. Although many carpenters work indoors, those that work outdoors are subject to variable weather conditions.
Most carpenters work a standard 40 hour week. Hours may be longer during busy periods.
| 1. | Study blueprints and diagrams to determine dimensions of structure or form to be constructed. |
| 2. | Measure materials or distances, using square, measuring tape, or rule to lay out work. |
| 3. | Cut or saw boards, timbers, or plywood to required size, using handsaw, power saw, or woodworking machine. |
| 4. | Assemble and fasten material together to construct wood or metal framework of structure, using bolts, nails, or screws. |
| 5. | Anchor and brace forms and other structures in place, using nails, bolts, anchor rods, steel cables, planks, wedges, and timbers. |
| 6. | Mark cutting lines on materials, using pencil and scriber. |
| 7. | Erect forms, framework, scaffolds, hoists, roof supports, or chutes, using hand tools, plumb rule, and level. |
| 8. | Install rough door and window frames, subflooring, fixtures, or temporary supports in structures undergoing construction or repair. |
| 9. | Examine structural timbers and supports to detect decay, and replace timbers as required, using hand tools, nuts, and bolts. |
| 10. | Bore boltholes in timber, masonry or concrete walls, using power drill. |
| 11. | Fabricate parts, using woodworking and metalworking machines. |
| 12. | Dig or direct digging of post holes and set poles to support structures. |
| 13. | Build sleds from logs and timbers for use in hauling camp buildings and machinery through wooded areas. |
| 14. | Build chutes for pouring concrete. |
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