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Description
Set up, operate, and tend metal cut-off saws to cut bars, tubes, and shapes to specified lengths and angles, ensuring dimensional accuracy, cut quality, and safe material handling.
Job tasks Attributes
  • • Read work orders or cut lists to determine material, lengths, angles, tolerances, and quantities.
  • • Set up and operate manual or automatic metal cut-off saws (band, cold, or abrasive) for straight and miter cuts.
  • • Install, align, and secure saw blades, vises, guides, and length stops using gauges and hand tools.
  • • Set blade tension, cutting speed, feed rate, and head angle to meet specifications.
  • • Position, align, and clamp bars, tubes, or profiles against fixtures or stops on the saw bed.
  • • Place and stage stock on tables or conveyors manually or with hoists, cranes, or forklifts.
  • • Start machines, monitor cutting operations, and record production and quality data.
  • • Turn valves or controls to start and regulate coolant flow to the cutting area.
  • • Measure cut pieces with micrometers, calipers, gauges, templates, or rulers to verify dimensions.
  • • Examine cut surfaces for defects, burrs, burning, or out-of-square conditions and segregate nonconforming pieces.
  • • Adjust speeds, feeds, vise pressure, and guides to maintain tolerances and cut quality.
  • • Set and verify length stops or programmable backgauges for repetitive or successive cuts.
  • • Mark part numbers, heat or lot numbers, or other identifying data on cut pieces.
  • • Deburr and finish cut edges using grinders, files, or polishing equipment.
  • • Replace worn or damaged blades and guides and adjust tracking and tension as needed.
  • • Clean and lubricate saws, vises, and moving components and replenish coolant.
  • • Remove guards or covers to replace worn parts such as belts, bearings, or springs, using hand tools.
  • • Scribe or mark reference lines on workpieces when required by blueprints or templates.
  • • Plan cutting sequences and nesting to optimize material usage and minimize scrap.
  • • Enter cut parameters or quantities into CNC or NC controls and run test cuts for first-article approval.
  • • Maintain a clean, safe work area and follow machine safety procedures.
  • • Transport raw materials and finished parts using forklifts, carts, or pallet jacks.
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Source
Tasks & skills: O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge). Learn more
Sources & Standards: This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
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