Foundry Mold Maker

Your Fit

Income

$46K

Preparation

Some

Growth

-23.5%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is a Foundry Mold Maker?

Foundry Mold Makers are skilled craftsmen who create molds for casting metal objects in foundries. They work with various materials and techniques to produce precise molds that shape molten metal into desired forms.

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Foundry Mold Maker.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

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How much does a Foundry Mold Maker earn

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, typical income (in USD) is...

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$36K per year	$39K per year	$46K per year	$51K per year	$61K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $3.8K below the national average.

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What does a Foundry Mold Maker do?

Work environment

Foundry Mold Makers typically work in foundries and manufacturing facilities, which can be hot, noisy, and physically demanding environments. They are often exposed to dust, fumes, and high temperatures, necessitating the use of protective gear such as safety glasses, gloves, and respirators.

Quick task list

Designs and constructs molds for metal casting.
Selects appropriate materials for mold-making, such as sand, plaster, or metal.
Assembles and disassembles complex mold patterns.
Inspects and repairs molds to ensure quality and precision.
Collaborates with metallurgists and engineers on casting projects.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Sand Casting: Specializing in creating sand molds for metal casting, commonly used for large components.
Die Casting Mold Making: Focusing on constructing molds for high-pressure die casting, typically for smaller, more detailed parts.
Investment Casting: Expertise in creating molds for investment casting, which involves intricate designs and high-precision requirements.

Description

Foundry Mold Makers play a critical role in the manufacturing process, where their skill and precision directly impact the quality of metal castings. These craftsmen must have a strong understanding of mold design and the properties of both the mold materials and the metals being cast. Their work requires a blend of creativity and technical knowledge, as they must often devise innovative solutions to complex casting challenges.

Attention to detail is essential in this profession, as even minor imperfections in a mold can lead to flawed castings. Mold Makers must be adept at using a variety of tools and equipment, from simple hand tools to advanced machinery, for cutting, shaping, and assembling molds. They also need to understand the casting process thoroughly, including how different metals behave when molten and how to control the cooling and solidification process to achieve the desired results.

In addition to technical skills, successful Mold Makers must be problem-solvers, able to adapt to various challenges that arise during mold construction and casting. They work closely with other foundry workers and must be able to communicate effectively. Keeping up with new technologies and methods in mold making and metal casting is also important for career advancement.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

The craftsmanship involved in creating detailed and functional molds.
The challenge and variety of working on different casting projects.
Seeing the tangible results of one's work in the final metal products.

You might make a good Foundry Mold Maker if you are...

Skilled with your hands and enjoy crafting and building things.
Detail-oriented and able to focus on precise and intricate work.
Interested in metallurgy and the art of metal casting.
Able to withstand the physical demands of working in a foundry environment.

Pros:

Skilled trade with opportunities for mastery in a specialized area.
Essential role in the manufacturing and casting industry, contributing to the creation of a wide range of metal products.
Opportunities for creative problem-solving and working with a variety of mold-making techniques.
Potential for job stability in industries that rely on casting processes.

Cons:

Physically demanding work with exposure to high temperatures and heavy materials.
Potential health risks from exposure to dust and fumes, requiring strict adherence to safety protocols.
The work environment can be loud and requires working with industrial machinery.
May involve repetitive tasks and require attention to detail over long periods.

How to become a Foundry Mold Maker

Typical education

Most Foundry Mold Makers have a high school diploma or equivalent, with technical skills primarily learned through on-the-job training or apprenticeships. Some may also attend vocational schools or community colleges for more formal education in foundry technology or metalworking.

High school preparation

Courses:

Shop or vocational classes, particularly in metalworking, to gain foundational skills.
Art classes, especially sculpture, to develop an understanding of shapes and design.
Mathematics for precise measurements and calculations in mold making.
Physics to understand material properties and the behavior of metals under different conditions.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Joining a robotics club or a metalworking club, if available, to gain hands-on experience.
Participating in workshops or summer camps focusing on crafting and metalworking.
Volunteering or interning at local foundries or metalworking shops.

Preparation after high school

Vocational or technical training in foundry technology, metal fabrication, or a related field.
Apprenticeships in foundry work to gain practical experience under skilled professionals.
Certification programs in specific areas of foundry work or metal casting.
On-the-job training in a foundry to learn specific processes and techniques.

More resources

American Foundry Society (AFS) - Provides educational resources, training, and networking opportunities in the foundry industry.
Foundry Educational Foundation (FEF) - Offers scholarships, resources, and career development opportunities for students interested in foundry careers.
National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) - Offers certifications and skill standards for metalworking professions.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) - Provides safety guidelines and resources for working in industrial and manufacturing environments.

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