A bench carpenter’s specific job responsibilities vary, but in general, this person will be responsible for assembling prefabricated wooden parts or creating wooden parts from scratch to build complete units ready for use by consumers. To shape wood and combine pieces, the bench carpenter will use a variety of power and hand tools, and he or she may work alone or as part of an assembly team. Although most candidates have at least a high school diploma and some post-secondary training, the education requirements for this position can vary.
Most bench carpenter jobs require candidates to complete an apprenticeship, during which time they will learn about the tools, skills, and techniques used in the woodworking process. A bench carpenter apprenticeship can last anywhere from one to five years, during which time the apprentice will work under the direct supervision and guidance of a more experienced carpenter. Some bench carpenter jobs don’t require an apprenticeship, and the work this person does is fairly straightforward and straightforward. This is usually the case if the carpenter will be working on an assembly line, but most jobs will necessitate extensive training, particularly in terms of safety techniques.
Many of the tools used by a bench carpenter are designed to cut or shape wood. To remove wood from raw materials, common tools include saws, routers, drills, and lathes. Planes, chisels, and files are examples of hand tools that can be used for more detailed work. Computer numeric control (CNC) machines, which are more automated and require less direct human control, will be used in more advanced workshops. These machines, which are more complex and expensive than hand tools or many power tools, will be found on larger woodworking ships.
A bench carpenter can make a wide variety of products. Chairs, tables, drawers, desks, and cabinets are among the most common items made by such carpenters. Frames, aesthetic or decorative pieces, and even more structural pieces like stairways, banisters, and hardwood floors are examples of other items. Carpenters usually make any other products that require the cutting and shaping of wood. A house framer, for example, will be solely responsible for erecting the skeletons of homes and other structures. He or she will work on a construction site with various pieces of wood to build a structure that will support the weight of all building materials.