What does a Saw Filer/Fitter (611B) do?

Saw Filer/Fitters repair, set, and sharpen blades for band, chain, hand, circular, and other types of saws.

Job Related Skills, Interests and Values

  • Maintain wood sawing machines in lumber and paper mills
  • File grooved, contoured, and irregular surfaces of knives, saw blades, and metal objects
  • Safely use hand tools, filing machines, and welding equipment; may also use computers, sophisticated electronic equipment, and lasers
  • Troubleshoot sawing machinery and analyze faults for corrective and/or repair action

What Preparation and Training Do You Need?

  • Secondary school diploma with math, English, and science credits; training in welding, electronics, carpentry, or metalworking would be an asset
  • While not mandatory, completion of a 6,000-8,000 hour apprenticeship, including a combination of on-the-job and in-school training, is recommended

What's Your Future as a Saw Filer/Fitter (611B)?

  • 40 hours per week, indoors in saw or pulp mills
  • May be required to live/work in remote areas where mills are located
  • Often required to do heavy lifting; exposure to high noise levels
  • Employers include saw mills and pulp mills

Wage Rate

Apprentice wage increases with skill and experience. Fully qualified workers earn an average of $25.63-$43.50 per hour.

Self-Rating

Saw Filer/Fitter (611B)

Ask Yourself: Yes No
Do you have good manual dexterity?
Do you pay attention to detail?
Are you able to follow Health & Safety guidelines?
Are you able to lift 50lbs comfortably? Are you comfortable working indoors and outdoors?
Do you enjoy learning about new technology on an ongoing basis?
Would you enjoy interacting with site supervisors, customers, suppliers, co-workers and other tradespeople to get the job done?
Do you enjoy tinkering, using tools, solving puzzles, doing calculations and solving problems?


If you checked YES to the majority of these questions, a career as a Saw Filer/Fitter (611B) may be for you!

You might want to look at these similar trades as well;

  • General Machinist
  • Welder
  • Band Saw Technician
  • Locksmith
  • Tool and Cutter Grinder
  • Precision Metal Fabricator

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