Tool and Die Makers
Official O*NET title: Tool and Die Makers (51-4111.00)
Also called: die machinist, die repair laborer, die repair technician, jig and fixture repairer, tool and die machinist
Do you do this at work?
Answer each card — it takes about a minute.
Do you do this at work?
Verify dimensions, alignments, and clearances of finished parts for conformance to specifications, using measuring instruments such as calipers, gauge blocks, micrometers, or dial indicators
Swipe right for yes, left for not me. On a keyboard: → yes, ← not me, Z undo. +2 XP per answer.
How AI is changing tool and die makers work
1 of 14 measurable main tasks for this job show up in real AI-use data, so we rate it Green (little AI use yet) — 7%. 1 newer task is not in the data yet and left out.
This shows where people already use AI, not whether the job will disappear. How we measure this.
Tasks in this job and recorded AI use
- Verify dimensions, alignments, and clearances of finished parts for conformance to specifications, using measuring instruments such as calipers, gauge blocks, micrometers, or dial indicators (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Set up and operate conventional or computer numerically controlled machine tools such as lathes, milling machines, or grinders to cut, bore, grind, or otherwise shape parts to prescribed dimensions and finishes (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Visualize and compute dimensions, sizes, shapes, and tolerances of assemblies, based on specifications (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Study blueprints, sketches, models, or specifications to plan sequences of operations for fabricating tools, dies, or assemblies (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Fit and assemble parts to make, repair, or modify dies, jigs, gauges, and tools, using machine tools, hand tools, or welders (main task) — too new for the AI data
- Inspect finished dies for smoothness, contour conformity, and defects (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Select metals to be used from a range of metals and alloys, based on properties such as hardness or heat tolerance (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Lift, position, and secure machined parts on surface plates or worktables, using hoists, vises, v-blocks, or angle plates (main task) — no recorded AI use
- File, grind, shim, and adjust different parts to properly fit them together (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Smooth and polish flat and contoured surfaces of parts or tools, using scrapers, abrasive stones, files, emery cloths, or power grinders (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Measure, mark, and scribe metal or plastic stock to lay out machining, using instruments such as protractors, micrometers, scribes, or rulers (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Conduct test runs with completed tools or dies to make sure that parts meet specifications, making adjustments as necessary (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Design jigs, fixtures, and templates for use as work aids in the fabrication of parts or products (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Cut, shape, and trim blanks or blocks to specified lengths or shapes, using power saws, power shears, rules, and hand tools (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Set up and operate drill presses to drill and tap holes in parts for assembly (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Develop and design new tools and dies, using computer-aided design software — no recorded AI use
- Set pyrometer controls of heat-treating furnaces and feed or place parts, tools, or assemblies into furnaces to harden — no recorded AI use
Tasks: O*NET 31.0. AI use: Anthropic Economic Index (exact or close text match).
Your first steps (guidance)
- Week 1: Open a free AI assistant and say hello. Follow our “Getting started with AI” guide. Ask it one simple question about your work.
- Week 2: Use AI on one task you do often. Try the prompt for: “Verify dimensions, alignments, and clearances of finished parts for conformance to specifications, using measuring instruments such as calipers, gauge blocks, micrometers, or dial indicators”. Try the prompt for: “Design jigs, fixtures, and templates for use as work aids in the fabrication of parts or products”.
Tick your own tasks above to get a plan based on what you really do. The first 2 weeks are free; Premium (coming soon) adds weeks 3–12. New to AI? Read our beginner’s guide.
Questions about AI and tool and die makers
Will AI replace tool and die makers?
Our data can’t predict job losses, and we don’t try to. What it does show: 1 of the 15 main tasks for this job match tasks people already use AI for (Anthropic Economic Index), giving a Green rating (little AI use yet). Using AI on a task is not the same as AI doing the whole job, and 15 of the 17 listed tasks show no recorded AI use yet.
Which tool and die maker tasks is AI used for most?
In the data, the most AI use among this job’s tasks is for: verify dimensions, alignments, and clearances of finished parts for conformance to specifications, using measuring instruments such as calipers, gauge blocks, micrometers, or dial indicators.
Which tool and die maker tasks show little or no AI use?
For example: set up and operate conventional or computer numerically controlled machine tools such as lathes, milling machines, or grinders to cut, bore, grind, or otherwise shape parts to prescribed dimensions and finishes; visualize and compute dimensions, sizes, shapes, and tolerances of assemblies, based on specifications; study blueprints, sketches, models, or specifications to plan sequences of operations for fabricating tools, dies, or assemblies. These are good places to keep building your own skills.
How does this job compare to others?
In Microsoft Research’s “Working with AI” study, this job’s AI applicability score is equal to or higher than 28% of the occupations they scored. That measures overlap with AI chat use, not risk of job loss.
How can a tool and die maker start learning AI?
Start small: open a free AI assistant, try it on one task you do often, and always check facts and numbers yourself. The plan on this page is guidance, not professional advice.
See how this job ranks
Tool and Die Makers ranks #518 of 572 jobs for the share of main tasks with AI use (#1 = most), and #25 of 35 in Production & Plant.
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