What they do
Saw Makers and Repairers make, repair, maintain and sharpen a wide range of saw blades and cutting tools. Saw blades will include both circular saws and band saws, and cutting tools may be from planers, lathes, routers or drills. They also maintain mechanical parts of a range of production machines
Saw Makers and Repairers operate hand and power tools, machines and mechanical equipment as they mill, grind, press or sharpen cutting tools, weld tools, saws and cutting edges, manufacture and/or maintain the straightness and balance in all cutting tools and saw blades.
Working conditions
Saw Makers and Repairers work for saw manufacturers, saw service shops, machining shops, woodworking factories, large timber mills and other industries which use sawing equipment.
Tools and technologies
Tools include: Semi automatic and automatic grinding machines for filing teeth; stretch roller machines and flat anvils for levelling and taking the deformities out of the saw; stretcher roll for tensioning the saw; hammers; bench vices; files; teeth alignment jigs; etc.
How do I become one?
Education and training
To become a saw doctor, you usually need to undertake a saw doctor apprenticeship. The apprenticeship usually takes 36 months to complete, and is available as a school-based apprenticeship.
Apprenticeships and traineeships
As an apprentice or trainee, you enter into a formal training contract with an employer, enabling you to complete training towards a nationally recognised qualification. You spend time working and learning practical skills on the job and you spend some time undertaking structured training with a registered training provider.
You can do an apprenticeship or traineeship if you are a school-leaver, re-entering the workforce or as an adult or mature-aged person wishing to change careers. You can even begin your apprenticeship or traineeship while you're still at school.
If you are still at school you can access an apprenticeship through your school. Talk to your school's VET Co-ordinator to start your training now through VET in Schools. If you are no longer at school you can apply for an apprenticeship or traineeship and get paid while you learn and work.