Sheet metal workers construct, assemble, install or repair sheet metal products. They work on eavestroughs, heat and air ducts, coping, siding and other related products used in the construction industry. They are employed by special fabrication shops, sheet metal manufacturing and construction companies. Salaries for sheet metal workers can vary according to the size of the company, their level of skill or union status. As a sheet metal worker, you work closely with the engineers involved in a specific project. You study the drawings or sketches which describe the work to be performed. Once you understand what is to be done, you lay out, measure and mark the sheets of metal according to the drawings. You can cut and shape the metal using shears, brake presses, or drill presses. For some special jobs, you may even use laser cutting equipment. To fit the different pieces together, you can use a riveter, a welding torch or some other type of joining equipment. You then grind or buff the seams and joints, and flatten any rough surfaces you may find.
As you develop your skills, you may find yourself specializing in a number of different areas, such as ornamental work (copper roofing, steeples), weatherproofing, air conditioning or systems balancing. Over the last decade many sheet metal workers have found themselves working with plastics when constructing certain air systems.
New technology is transforming sheet metal work. Factories are making greater use of computer-generated designs. As a result, you may find yourself using computers to draft your own designs. Also, laser cutters are now quite common and are replacing slower and less accurate ways of cutting sheet metal.
A sheet metal worker's job is demanding both physically and mentally. Despite increasingly sophisticated hoists and cranes, sheet metal workers still have to do a lot of lifting. Since you often work out of doors, you have to contend with the hazards of wind and rain, as well as with the extremes of freezing cold or broiling heat.
Each building and each project is a new challenge. Although many sheet metal components are prefabricated, many more have to be made to measure. It is up to you to ensure that every piece that is specified is ready, available and appropriate to the requirements of the job. This means that you must shape the pieces from scratch. To do so, you must be able to conceptualize the problem and visualize the solution in the shape of a sheet metal component.
The physical, intellectual and technical requirements of the sheet metal trade are demanding. These demands are offset by the pride and satisfaction of seeing the results of your work. Many sheet metal workers view their trade as a craft and liken it to cabinet-making; you may not always notice the precision or the care, but the quality is there nevertheless.
This job is well suited for those who like to work along. Usually, you have little supervision in carrying out your assignments. It is also likely that you have only occasional contact with the public. On the other hand, you probably work closely with other tradespeople assigned to the same job.
To do this job well, you must be physically fit and possess well-developed manual skills. You should also have the visual and mental capacity to be able to design and create pieces on your own. Sheet metal work is a very competitive field that requires initiative and ambition to succeed. Employers want dependable, hard-working individuals who can work with steadiness and skill.