Considering Careers: Tool & Die Maker Apprentice

Considering a career in Tool and Die making?
Looking for a career path with little to no student debt?
Interested in working with your hands and solving unique and complex problems?
Check out this video to learn a bit about the trade, what your job could look like and how to move forward for more information.
For more educational information check out our other videos here on KZbin or at wisconsinmetalparts.com/video
Special thanks to RCM Industries for sharing their die casting footage with us for this video. Check them out at rcmindustries.com

[@BasicFolders]

I wish I saw this video when I was 17 years old, it'd have changed my life. This generation has no idea the access to information and opportunity they have.

[@spidersinspace1099]

Men in this field are the unsung heros of the manufacturing industry.

[@paulbfields8284]

Been a journeyman designer and maker 43 years.. still do it every day. Owned my own shop 37 years. Sponsored several apprentices. My father sponsored and trained me. He once told me, “you’ll never be rich but you’ll never be hungry”..

[@Rico_415]

Sad shit man, i wanna be rich not barely getting by

[@paulbfields8284]

@@Rico_415 I do ok.. I did very well for 37 years with my dads company which I took over in 1985. I’m still working… not for the money.. for the love.

[@skylancer825]

​@@Rico_415 Too me it looks as though he enjoys his craft, the skills he has could definitely be scaled with desire and creativity, i too aim to build wealth through these skills, its about sovereignty of potential not a quick buck, a principe to life for peace, because we all die in the end anyway.

[@MI6-W]

Respect to you sir!❤ Moldmaking and tooling engineering since 1986.

[@paulbfields8284]

@@MI6-W thank you and right back at you.

[@niceguydmm]

I was a tool maker back in the 90's working for Talon the zipper company. Learned from a lot of tool makers from Meadville, PA. Made dies, repaired molds with a TIG welder and EDM and spent 30 hours a week surface grinding an some milling. Made all my tools from vices to 1 2 3 blocks. NAFT killed the trade. Talon sold and moved to Mexico only to fail. I went back to college at 32 and learned to be a Computer Network Engineer. As a tool maker I made 17.95 and hour in the 90's. I went from mid 30K a year to now 130K a year as Senior Network Engineer. I hate working with computer. I hate office. The computer career gave me terrible social anxiety. I am retiring at 58 from it setting up a small CNC plasma and fab/welding shop in my garage. Those skill I learned as a tool maker have served me well. I can fix anything and never pay others to fix my things. I am returning to what I loved and leaving a terrible office job.

[@keilahdugan0613]

I'm 18 and my boyfriend is one, I had no idea what it was, but now I'm in more awe of this man

[@user-pu1js4cg2y]

I am retired toolmakere, it was great trade, learnt more out of my apprenticeship than it, we were expected to do our own tooling designs but had to have them excepted by our forman this was my greatest and valued learning curve for a tradesman just leaving his apprenticeship. I loved this job, received such personal reward

[@JohnReesPhotography]

What an excellent video. I left school in 1980 and and was lucky enough to secure a toolmaking apprenticeship with UK motor vehicle manufactured Land Rover. When I accepted the apprenticeship I didn’t really know what a toolmaker did.

[@p52893]

Worked as a tool die maker when I was about 21. Small shop, we built new shoe dies from old shoe dies collecting all the valuable hardware. We had to plan how to use the new hardened die on shoes that were second hand. Quite a learning experience. Tool and die, live or die!

[@scottrackley4457]

We always kept a lot of old hardened die steels to wire burn into inserts. Our wire guy was magic with that machine, he could taper lock inserts every single time perfectly.

[@sparksandchips]

Excellent video! I was a tool maker for 15 years primarily molds for appliance industry and now in Quality/warranty for automotive industry. The tooling background is invaluable now as I can spot quality issues and helps with solving warranty problems as well…. Keep up the good work!

[@OtisMoto]

Started on a bridgeport in highschool in the 90s. This field has been wonderful for me. Im now a project manager at a fortune 500 company.

[@jbeezy126]

I’m on a Bridgeport and boring mill right now. What should I do next?

[@scottrackley4457]

@@jbeezy126 learn

[@scottkinkead6324]

Fed my family and had a fairly comfortable life , 40 + years in the trade retired now would recommend it to any young person

[@peteroleary9447]

My earnings in 1981 would be equivalent to $185,000 in 2024 dollars. 1981 was the year I finished my Tool & Die apprenticeship. That year, worked 58hrs/week and I received $8,200 profit sharing. Today, there aren't any shops offering much overtime, nor profit sharing. There were some good years in the '90s, but the overall 40+ year earnings trend for this work has been sharply downhill. I don't see it ever recovering.

[@WhiteChocolate74]

Why has the industry been on the decline?

[@peteroleary9447]

@@WhiteChocolate74 Several large-scale factors have contributed to the decline of US manufacturing in general, the most prominent is Asian offshoring. The world economy has changed considerably over the last 40 years.

[@joshuah5655]

@@peteroleary9447 With the collapse of the dollar imminent, I wonder if the US will need to once again rely on its own manufacturing. In this case, the relative pay of the manufacturing trades should start to go up again.

[@mikebrzostowski8183]

I ran progressive and draw dies for 20 years. The toolmakers amazed me for the beautiful dies they made. There were no short cuts or "that will do". They amazed me and made my job running the dies much easier. Both die making and running them is a very rewarding career. Thanks much.

[@WisconsinMetalParts]

We appreciate your comments Mike, Thank you!

[@scottrackley4457]

Trust me, we loved the good operators. They ran it every day and knew it by sound. "Something doesn't sound right" from a good operator had me on the way.

[@stephenwalker5712]

Did this for 40 years. Now retired. I always looked forward to coming to work. Never boring. Like they say, learn from the old guys that also know the new stuff.

[@scottrackley4457]

Getting close to hanging it up, but I love my tools. I'll keep them of course. I never stopped learning.

[@amalvt85vtk63]

Sir could you please arange me a job as a tool maker I have 3 years experience in this field now I'm living in India

[@travisnorseman8648]

I would consider die casters to be Mold Makers. Tool and Die Maker is specific to Stamping Dies and Fixtures. Various forms of Punching, Forming and Fixturing.

[@scottrackley4457]

I would agree, MM is the brother of T&D. Mold Makers face some unique challenges, those guys can weld and polish like nobody's business.

[@FlybyJunkie]

@@scottrackley4457 I've always said this, but, I work at a zinc diecaster and just finished my tool and die apprenticeship. all the guys that work there have toolmaker certificates

[@lindakleckner215]

Is fixturing like fasteners?

[@travisnorseman8648]

@lindakleckner215 No, it's about positioning.

[@johnevans1969]

Great video, good on you for putting this out there for young people and others seeking a rewarding career thats vital to our nation.

[@fendihamizan]

I graduated from Malaysia Vocational Technical school in fitting and machining. And now I've been a tool maker for 24 years and it's still running. Although it has been in this field for a long time, it is never boring!

[@donpeterson3604]

Was a tool and die maker for 40 years. Now retired. Still think I know more than the engineers. Really liked inventing things and prototype work. Miss that part but not crawling into presses.

[@MikeL-vu7jo]

Well that's been my living since 1978 thanks for the video

[@zygmuntthecacaokakistocrat6589]

I trained as a small-part non-ferrous metal foundry patternmaker and worked as such for about 20 years until the mid 90s, when CAD/CAM prototyping, then additive manufacturing/3D printing made a large part of what I initially trained in less in-demand. We made most of the patterns out of boxwood and other hard timbers, and most of the skill required, apart from spot-on drawing interpretation, was woodworking! Although I learnt computer skills, it wasn't as rewarding nor as 'hands on' as manual shaping of component patterns. So I went into architectural and cabinet detailing, and have done that for another 20 years. Ex-colleagues work for car companies making solid maquettes for new models. Skills are transferable, you just have to think laterally and long-term about how they could be used, as no-one knows what will be required by the evolution of trades and occupations in 20 years, let alone at the end of your career.

[@WisconsinMetalParts]

Thank you for sharing your story. You are correct that the skills are transferrable and a good tool maker can adjust with the changes. This trade is the foundation of manufacturing.

[@TheTruthSeeker756]

Unfortunately if you go to regular high school this excellent career is invisible. You need to go to trade school

[@PanteraRockstar90]

That could be true for a lot of trades. Electrician, plumber, boilermaker, industrial engineer, auto body, etc.. Go to trade school and get a trade folks. Classroom college won’t always get you a good job. Trades will.

[@metalflameful]

I just had my interview today for an apprenticeship and it went really well, they basically told me I already got it.

[@TheTruthSeeker756]

@@metalflameful Nice man. Congrats!

[@Kingery]

My high-school had metal shop. It was basic mind you, a simple lathe, some band saws,grinders and acetylene welders. But I remember it and it was my favorite class. And have been building plastic injection molds for 17 years.

[@metalflameful]

@@TheTruthSeeker756 update, almost one month in and I'm loving it! First job I've ever been excited to go to work for!

[@dfpolitowski2]

I did some of this before, stamping is the best and cleanest, toolmaking. Wouldn't want to work with molds unless I had to. If your into it get a degree in mechanical engineering first, when your young afterwards work in the shop. This way you get your education out of the way and no one can fault you for not having a degree. If they require a degree later on for another kind of position in the company. ie manager, engineer you will be ready.

[@WisconsinMetalParts]

Thank you for your response. That would definitely be a well rounded education and create a highly skilled, highly sought after toolmaker.

[@martindennehy3030]

Mechanical engineering has nothing to do with mould making and you don't need to have a degree to be educated.

[@dambroangling2828]

Learn tool and die, then learn cad and management skills. Then you can run any shop you walk into

[@maxandersen6532]

Very informative. Thanks!

[@toolanddie7160]

Great video, 💪🏽🙌🏽

[@cruch9]

Thanks for another video. When I use to work with dies we used a plastic in some dies for forming but I cant remember what that material was. I keep thinking it was some sort or urethane? Is that correct?

[@beetlejuice4693]

I am a tool and die maker and if I could do it all again I'd be a mechanical engineer

[@WisconsinMetalParts]

Thanks for the feedback. We need Mechanical Engineers too

[@e2sguy]

Same here , been toolmaker for 27 years . much better outcome financially to do engineering

[@ripperduck]

I know machinists that went to college at night, or arranged time during the day to attend engineering classes. Millions of people have worked their way through school, and we need to go back to that as the primary way to attend college, rather than taking on huge amounts of debt...

[@e2sguy]

@@ripperduck I’d be ok taking on huge debt if ultimately my salary was high enough and I had the ability to command a life time of consistent high wages and benefits . The problem is in this dying trade you will make what a waiter at Applebees makes after all that training and effort getting skilled . Might as well go to college pay your loans back and land a sustainable career with a future

[@AdamBogan]

@@e2sguy great points

[@rafap1719]

I work in IT and honestly think that mechanical engineering, production engineering, tool making ect looks way more interesting then just designing another corporate app. For me making phisical objects have appeal and generates satisfaction much greater then making software. It is a pity that in USA, Europe ect manufacturing jobs are dissapearing. We have so radiculus situation that in some areas, like metallurgy and metalworking most engeeners and foremen are around their retirement age, and there are no young lads seeking education and job in those areas any more.

[@jbardet]

Great video! Have you found these videos successfully leading to new hires? It's been so difficult for our jobshop to find apprentices, let alone skilled machinists.

[@WisconsinMetalParts]

This was intended to promote the trade and be a secondary resource to share with potential candidates. The more exposure we give the trade, the better the chances of attracting the next generation of skilled thinkers. Please share with your local high school and middle schools. I hope this video helps you attract some talent.

[@scottrackley4457]

@@WisconsinMetalParts Well, I applaud it. You can't find toolmakers in SE TN younger than 40.

[@alanmarshall874]

I am a apprentice tool and die maker

[@scottrackley4457]

learn from the old guys

[@LC2k_]

How is it?

[@marciosantinelli]

Best Regards from Brazil

[@dadawalj]

I have never learned it but seems I like this industry very much, and I believe I would be good at it, can't help to search such videos, as an almost 50 years old lady without such experience, how could I get into this line?

[@fordcar8691]

I am a tool and die here in the philippines..working as a tool ang die technician...i want to assembled die parts..also surface grinding operator for ten years...knows how to operate milling.grinding .latehe

[@mrayco]

Yes it is tool maker die molds the number one in industry field

[@travellers9691]

I'm a tool and die maker I've have a good skill and knowledge in all kinds of mould press tool, and die casting if there any vaccancy I'd like to join

[@scottrackley4457]

They need tool and die down southeast brother, seriously, I need some help around here

[@jimmyjack7141]

Stay away, it doesn't pay anymore, and most jobs went overseas. I became a journeyman mold/Die maker, always wanted to get into the cad part of things.

[@halfnelson6115]

Any thoughts on a 50 year old starting down this path? I was a progressive tool designer from age 20 - 25 but left the field.

[@stomachhurts2044]

Hey I’m a welder and I think I just changed careers

[@opnavesea]

I have an apprenticeship interview tomorrow, I currently do CNC operator work with some NDT stuff on the side, I have a multi disciplinary BA degree from years ago, sort of stumbled into this work. Just looking for advice on what I could say or do to show I’m a good fit in the interview.

[@scottrackley4457]

Mold Making or Tool Making?

[@Atreyas]

I'm 43, just discovered a machinist career 2 years ago (man I wish I found it when younger) and it's a great fit for me. I currently run a Toshiba CNC Horizontal Mill, with experience on a manual HBM, as well as wire EDMs (lot of cross training in 2 years). Problem is, the job is over an hour away, and just recently a T&D shop posted they were looking for help which is 20 minutes away. Is any of my experience transferable, and is there any point going into a new apprenticeship at my age?

[@martindennehy3030]

No point at all, you're due to retire. Stick to what you're at and don't try to turn back time.

[@elias38]

@@martindennehy3030 retire? He has like 23 years until retirement.

[@scottrackley4457]

Do you run them or do you program and run them? Most large shops would be interested in anyone that can run a wire machine well, that knowledge can translate to CMM (metrology) and down to waterjet and plasma cutting. Not many die shops use a horizontal mill, but if you're good just lay the tombstone flat in your mind and you'll get accustomed. Is there any point in an apprenticeship at your age? They pay you to learn, not a bad gig no matter what age, and they confer upon you a new skill. To each his own though.

[@Atreyas]

@@scottrackley4457 depending on the job, I will write and run the program. Mostly just drill/tap, keyways, facing/boring. We do some hog outs, but engineers generally write those programs. Still need to know how to read it in case they screwed something up though (which is often). We mainly run HBMs as we handle parts in excess of 30k pounds, some up to 80k, which don't really work on a vertical. I'd imagine it's not too difficult to transition over to running vertical, numbers are all the same, just rotating your axis (which would make some of my jobs so much easier to begin with). We do have a vert Hydro Tel, but it rarely gets used. Running the wire machines is fun, they don't keep them maintained like they should, so they barely function. I never really though of the waterjet/plasma crossover but it makes sense considering they're basically the same layouts. We don't do any 3D cutting though. Anyway, I did inquire about the mentioned job, but they informed me that they had already filled the position. So I'll just keep learning all I can here.

[@scottrackley4457]

@@Atreyas Pick up a class or two at the local community college in something like Mastercam or Solidworks. Pro-E if you feel froggy.

[@vedan9786]

Please explain about formula, calculation, procedure to make die.... Thank you

[@fordcar8691]

Depends the design of the drawing

[@scottrackley4457]

Depends on material, variability of material, thickness, tolerance of part, expectation of surface quality, size of part, the amount of pierce/blank/form you're doing, tonnage of press, bolster/ram size of press, speed of press, preferred shut height of press, preferred feed height of press, expected run quantity of tool per PM, etc. It's not easy.

[@user-lv4ld5zw6t]

Which Programms are used in this video ? I ask especially for the one where all peaces are moved in process. We use visi 2023 and there is no option to move the parts for the working process. Can someone help my how the Program is named? I will ask my boss to buy it 😅

[@WisconsinMetalParts]

We use Solidworks with a Logopress add on

[@BasicFolders]

➡ *Anyone know what that press is called with the large manual wheel on the top called? It's over his shoulder at **5:12** and I don't know if it's for a purpose, or modified or what. Thank you!*

[@markrichards2460]

Pretty sure it's called a splooge press

[@BasicFolders]

@@markrichards2460 Nope... anyone else have an idea what they might be called?

[@WisconsinMetalParts]

It is a manual screw press

[@BasicFolders]

@@WisconsinMetalParts THANK YOU!! now I have something to go off of, and now I'm finding all the arch screw presses when I search.... thanks so much for the info, I really appreciate it. 💙

[@alexsmith-ob3lu]

Not a big fan of metal working or mechanics, but I do possess some foundational knowledge of these technical subjects because we use cars and other mechanical systems daily. However, I remember attending an open house event at a community college for machining and the tool maker programs. I was absolutely shocked to find out that a machinist these days can make $50/Hour right out of school, from an associate degree program! That was music to my ears, but I think the biggest challenge to getting younger people into the trades; is the reputation for the decline of America industrial economy. Many older guys tell me how their industrial job (welding, sheet metal, die making, machining, plastics molding etc.) have been outsourced to other countries like China.

[@WisconsinMetalParts]

Alex, we appreciate your comments and insight. Manufacturing still represents around 11% of the US GDP and contributes in some way to almost all of the other sectors. Manufacturing is still strong in the US and a vital part of our economy. This is one of the main reasons other countries have made a point of building their manufacturing sector. We agree that the US has lost some manufacturing to overseas competition. This has also driven us to explore more high tech solutions and will provide exciting employment opportunities for the next generation in manufacturing. In our opinion, a well-rounded, skilled tradesperson who can solve problems and think critically will always be needed in manufacturing. We strongly believe that the quality of life for future generations in the US will be worse off if we do not maintain our manufacturing sector.

[@alexsmith-ob3lu]

@@WisconsinMetalParts Thank you for your reply. I was not expecting you guys to be that open here on YT. Those are interesting facts you bring up about the manufacturing sector contributing 11% to the US GDP. I assumed it would've been much lower (less than 2%) due to so many abandoned factories and shuttered manufacturing plants all over the place. Guys who are several years older than me all tell me similar stories about how an associate degree may not be enough in certain fields, and you're going to need a skilled trade license too (i.e.: combining mechanical engineering technician degree with plumbing license) in order to do well. However, for high tech manufacturing, if you land the right job and build up the work experience; a highly specialized machinist can go above the starting pay grade of $50/hour. In the end, I see no way out of this labor shortage unless the education and companies are willing to offer more money, as well as better reputation. Cheers!

[@e2sguy]

@@alexsmith-ob3lu it would be very very unlikely to make 50$ an hour in this dying trade unless you were in some kind of union and for a short time window . Before you trust fishing stories Go look up the actual statistics for the labor department on the average wage and you’ll be shocked most of these guys are getting upper teens for an hourly rate ! The average machinist salary is 42,000$ a year ( certified journeyman a bit more ) that’s what a waiter at Applebees or red lobster makes ..Certainly not what your thinking . Today It’s a bad trade because now it’s just another dead end job with little to look forward to and That’s a fact . Just a few years back it was 16% of our gdp .. now it’s 11% and in a few years it’ll be 5% . Sadly The boarded up factories should tell you the real truth Wages have been stagnant for years and benefits are declining thanks to foreign competition and corporate greed . After three decades of this I said enough is enough and quit and I was in the tool and die capital of the world ( we had 250 shops in town now only about 100!) specializing in building close tolerance connector molds for aerospace medical equipment and automotive it doesn’t get more intricate and specialized building micro molds to .0001 !!. It takes ten years just to fully grasp and get good at this manufacturing of parts and you’ll spend thousands in tooling to do a variety of work . Certainly a high level is skill and finesse is required but in the end it’s all for not ..The ups guy starting out driving the truck picking up boxes of our parts was making 7-10$ an hour more than us guys that are doing the high tech cnc machining lol and he gets fully paid healthcare vision dental and a pension !

[@alexsmith-ob3lu]

@@e2sguy Thank you for your comment. It is much appreciated! I can especially understandspecialized

[@e2sguy]

@@dfpolitowski2 sad but true ! It’s why I retired after 27 years

[@blitzkrueg07]

We hire with no experience and offer apprenticeship if the employee shows promise.

[@andrewwilson6085]

I did a bookmakers apprenticeship in Britain in 1970s. It was a good trade back then. However, like most manufacturing in uk, it was "farmed out" The government decided it was cheaper to import! Skills became worthless!

[@jacquelinesears1770]

I'm a life long mold maker in Los Angelas area no one here is making well over 6 figures but around a hundred grand a year for senior mold makers

[@jacquelinesears1770]

amd the photo and account is my wifes

[@sicbane6700]

Do you hire german tool mechanics specialized in high speed and precision stamping tool ? 😅 asking for a friend 😅😆

[@joelmcgee5727]

I'm 39. Is it still worth it to make the switch?

[@vidviewer9727]

Yes. im about to be 32 and just got a security job at a manufacturing plant. Might see if i can get hired on directly and pick up a trade. Never too late

[@mukhtiarsingh6284]

Sir, I want to get tool and die job in Canada from India please help. I experienced 15 years in sheet metal dies. I also play autocad

[@shreeniwaspatil8568]

Where can I learn all about die making online can you please refer or pin a link

[@bloembloem7820]

You won't be able to learn this online, too much involved. You can only learn the very basics though.

[@santoshukarde]

How much a Skilled tool or die maker earn in US ?

[@tc6580]

Not enough for the skill required and the way you will be treated. I don't recommend anyone take up this trade advice from someone with over 40yrs in the trade.

[@wealdstoneraider5364]

I always thought they just made hammers.

[@trumanhw]

$50k - $100k a year ... = $25 - $50 per hour

[@fullthrottle552]

I'm a tool and die maker in india so how can I go to other country for this job is there any possible? So, i'm preety good in convention and non convention maching for ex : cnc programming (vmc (fanuc))and softwares like autocad and fusion 360

[@scottrackley4457]

I think we have working visas in the US. You can work here under that while applying for citizenship if you wish. Lots of hurdles tho. Probably need a sponsor, contact the US consulate in your country. I've done stuff in other countries on visas, Denmark, Iceland, Canada, there's some way to do it if you're good.

[@piunimbalkar2]

I am tool and die maker diploma your company vacancy place reply mi

[@razashah2420]

Kb di nai just UGG

[@gnescom]

Talking about what a toolmaker is or does is different from what a toolmaker does. If someone wants to be a toolmaker, they really should search out a toolmaker and pick his/her brain. Absolutely get several opinions.

[@WisconsinMetalParts]

Great advice Gene. Trying to connect the next generation of manufacturing with the current one is a challenge for the trade. We are always looking for ideas on how to promote such a diverse set of skills.

[@gnescom]

I don’t know of any trade that is more competitive than the machine trades. It’s a cutthroat business. The sooner that a person in the trade figures that out, the better they will be.

[@gnescom]

You gotta be a special breed of cat to survive in the toolmaker business, superhuman almost.

[@andrewwilson6085]

I did a bookmakers apprenticeship in Britain in 1970s. It was a good trade back then. However, like most manufacturing in uk, it was "farmed out" The government decided it was cheaper to import! Skills became worthless!