A millwright is a skilled trade involving the installation and maintenance of machinery in factories, power plants, and other industrial settings. Millwrights install, troubleshoot, repair and maintain a wide variety of mechanical equipment such as pumps, motors, conveyor systems, and production machinery. They use hand tools, power tools, welding equipment and rigging gear to perform their tasks. Millwrights must be able to read blueprints and follow instructions carefully to ensure that machines are installed correctly and safely.

Millwright Job Responsibilities

  • Read and interpret blueprints, drawings, and sketches to determine work procedures
  • Plan the sequence of necessary steps for assembling machinery, and ensure all are followed in a timely and efficient manner
  • Fabricate, position, align, and fit parts of machinery using hand tools, power tools, fixtures, templates, jacks, cranes, hoists & rollers
  • Install machinery & equipment according to specifications using hand tools & power tools
  • Assemble and install prefabricated parts to form complete units or subunits
  • Level bedplates & anchor bases using shims & cutter bars
  • Position grates & covers over openings in floors & walls
  • Operate blade reamer & welding torch to enlarge or clean holes
  • Bolt or rivet assembled parts together using wrenches or other handtools
  • Repair broken or cracked parts by welding them together
  • Adjust functional parts of devices or systems using handtools
  • Set up & operate machine tools such as lathes , milling machines , shapers , planers , grinders , drill presses etc.

Objectives

  • To install, maintain, and repair machinery and heavy equipment.
  • To use a variety of tools to assemble, take apart, and move heavy equipment.
  • To read and interpret blueprints and other technical diagrams.
  • To troubleshoot problems with machinery and make repairs as necessary.
  • To perform preventive maintenance on equipment to avoid breakdowns.
  • To keep accurate records of repairs and maintenance performed.

Millwright Job Skills & Qualifications Needed

  • A millwright is a skilled trade involving the installation and maintenance of machinery. The main qualifications needed for the role of millwright are:
  • A high school diploma or equivalent is required.
  • Completion of an apprenticeship or vocational training program is also required.
  • Some experience in the field is often necessary.
  • Strong mechanical aptitude and mathematical skills are essential.
  • Good problem solving abilities and manual dexterity are also important.