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 are employed and get paid while you complete training towards a nationally recognised qualification. You'll do a combination of on the job training - gaining hands on skills, knowledge and experience - and structured training with a registered training provider such as TAFE.
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.