Furniture assemblers construct furniture parts or segments to form sections, frames, or complete articles of furniture and fixtures. They are employed in furniture manufacturing establishments.
You work with many different materials, including wood, metal and plastics to assemble furniture. Referring to design specifications or diagrams, you cut, trim and sand parts prior to constructing sections or finished products. Individual parts are arranged in sequence and fitted into particular sections. Fastening id done with staples, screws, rivets, bolts, or glue, depending on the material used. Most work is performed with hand and power tools.
Some work may require the use of jigs to ensure accuracy and consistency in the product. Furniture assemblers are working in an increasingly mechanized environment. Computer- operated machinery is being used to achieve exact dimensions for a variety of parts.
You are also expected to reinforce furniture and fixtures with dowels, attach hinges or clasps, and make minor adjustments to parts or sections to ensure that they fit properly before being sent to the inspection stage. You are paid by the hour, based on a forty-hour week.
Furniture assembly still has a traditional craft element since you cut, form, and fit parts to specific designs from beginning to end. You must pay attention to the particular properties of different materials and how best to work with them.
Training for this work tends to be on-the-job since you are expected to be familiar with the basic tools used in your place of work. You get an initial orientation period, followed by additional training on any new machinery acquired by the firm. You are also given the appropriate training for any new products that are introduced to the production line. In some cases, your work may be reviewed after a three- to six-month period to determine what tasks you do best.
Mobility within the assembly line is possible once you have some experience. Beginning with sub-assembly duties, you can move into main assembly and, later, a position as a fitter, provided you show promise in your work. Over time, you may even move into supervisory positions or become a product inspector.
You need good eye-hand coordination to perform this sort of work since much of the job is done manually with tools. You must be patient and accurate to ensure that product quality is achieved. You should also be adaptable since manufacturers will tend to move you into different areas of the production line to give you broader experience.
Working around machinery calls for responsible individuals who are aware of safety precautions. Most assembly work relies upon team-work so you should have strong communication skills and be able to achieve a consistent output of work. As well, yo should be prepared for the fact that you may need strength and stamina to move pieces of furniture around. Conditions in the plant can also be noisy.