Millwrights


Millwrights install, repair, replace, and dismantle the machinery and heavy equipment used in many industries. The wide range of facilities and the development of new technology require millwrights to continually update their skills—from blueprint reading and pouring concrete to diagnosing and solving mechanical problems.
The millwright's responsibilities begin when machinery arrives at the jobsite. New equipment must be unloaded, inspected, and moved into position. To lift and move light machinery, millwrights use rigging and hoisting devices, such as pulleys and cables. With heavier equipment, they may require the assistance of hydraulic lift-truck or crane operators to position the machinery. Because millwrights often decide which device to use for moving machinery, they must know the load-bearing properties of rope, cables, hoists, and cranes.
Millwrights consult with production managers and others to determine the optimal placement of machines in a plant. When this placement requires building a new foundation, millwrights either prepare the foundation themselves or supervise its construction. As a result, they must know how to read blueprints and work with a variety of building materials.
To assemble machinery, millwrights fit bearings, align gears and wheels, attach motors, and connect belts, according to the manufacturer's blueprints and drawings. Precision leveling and alignment are important in the assembly process, so millwrights measure angles, material thickness, and small distances with tools such as squares, calipers, and micrometers. When a high level of precision is required, devices such as lasers and ultrasonic measuring tools may be used. Millwrights also work with hand and power tools, such as cutting torches, welding machines, and soldering guns, and with metalworking equipment, including lathes and grinding machines.
In addition to installing and dismantling machinery, many millwrights work with mechanics and maintenance workers to repair and maintain equipment. This includes preventive maintenance, such as lubrication and fixing or replacing worn parts. (For further information on machinery maintenance, see the statement on industrial machinery installation, repair, and maintenance workers, except millwrights, elsewhere in the Handbook.)
Increasingly sophisticated automation means more complicated machines for millwrights to install and maintain. For example, millwrights may install and maintain numerical control equipment—computer-controlled machine tools that fabricate manufacturing parts. This machinery requires special care and knowledge, so millwrights often work closely with computer or electronics experts, electricians, engineers, and manufacturers� representatives to install it. (Statements on electrical and electronics installers and repairers, as well as electricians, appear elsewhere in the Handbook.)

Related news articles
Project is step back in time for millwright - Oct 12, 2006
Yorkshire Post Today,A MILLWRIGHT whose father worked on a 16th century corn mill nearly 70 years ago returned yesterday to supervise the removal of machinery which one day should ...

Travelers Launches Product for Millwright Contractors - Oct 5, 2006
Insurance Journal,Millwright contractors now have access to a single source for their insurance and risk management needs according to a written statement issued by Travelers ...

Millwright's work part of his heritage - Oct 2, 2006
Kankakee Daily Journal,Lukas Verbij, 46, is a fourth-generation millwright and he estimates that the company he directs visits 100 windmills worldwide annually. ...

Travelers Launches Insurance Solution for Millwright Contractors - Oct 4, 2006
Business Wire (press release),HARTFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Millwright contractors now have access to a single source for their insurance and risk management needs with an offering ...

Nashua man, 27, charged with slugging relative - Oct 13, 2006
The Union Leader,Christopher Rand, 27, of 214 Millwright Drive, was released on $1,500 personal recognizance bail after being arrested on a simple assault charge. ...

BP program provides new job opportunities - Oct 14, 2006
Daily News - Galveston County,The former millwright — industry jargon for specially trained carpenter — also likes the fact he can work on a job that doesn’t take as much toll on his ...

Reche brothers gave Fallbrook its name - Oct 15, 2006
San Diego Union Tribune,Vital and Amelia moved back to California, settling at first in Pala with Anthony, who had remained in California working as a millwright and farmer. ...

Oil patch companies recruit new employees - Oct 15, 2006
Quesnel Cariboo Observer,By JOHN KING. By the fifth week, Warren Marusyk was laid off. Out of luck and out of work, the millwright now looks to the oil fields for new hope. ...

A 'Seinfeld'-esque day in the courtroom - Oct 14, 2006
Stockton Record,Deputy District Attorney Mark Dennings asks Frederick what the Vallejo man does for a living. "I'ma millwright and an Italian auto mechanic," Frederick says. ...

How firms keep workers happy - Oct 14, 2006
Winnipeg Free Press (subscription),The company was cited for its progressive apprenticeship program that provides full salaries to millwright, tool-and-die and machinist employees who are ...

Christopher Behnan: Turning your hobby into your job - Oct 6, 2006
Livingston Daily,Joe Burch, 53, a Ford millwright from Hartland Township, faces a double-whammy — the likely choice between taking a buyout or relocating, and next year's ...

Rockaway Beach mayor facing impeachment - Oct 9, 2006
News-Leader.com,Strom grew up in Chicago where he was a millwright in factory construction. He moved to Rockaway Beach when he retired in 1984. ...

Old Dog, New Trick - Oct 9, 2006
International News Service,...patient. Back then, as a millwright and electrician, he tended to the needs of rotating equipment for oil and power companies. But ...

Aldermen suspend mayor's powers - Oct 10, 2006
News-Leader.com,...her duties as alderman.". Strom, 65, grew up in Chicago where he was a millwright in factory construction, he said. He moved to Rockaway ...

Bruce Power, Power Workers' Union establish scholarship program - Sep 21, 2006
CNW Telbec (Communiqués de presse),Work placements also open to millwright apprentices at Fanshawe College TIVERTON, ON, Sept. 21 /CNW/ - Bruce Power has teamed with ...

Oakland candidates list taxes as key issue - Oct 12, 2006
Central Maine Morning Sentinel,Roderick, 56, works at Sappi Fine Paper as a millwright, is a high school graduate and has served nine years in previous terms on the Oakland town council. ...

Man discovers link to Civil War: Confederate memorial planned for ... - Oct 11, 2006
Newszap Delaware,Now 71 and a retired millwright, Mr. Jamison had a Confederate memorial stone erected and dedicated this past August at Anniston Cemetery in East Prairie, Mo ...

Built for growth - Oct 8, 2006
Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal,And Jesco does more than just put up buildings – its services also include engineering, mechanical-electrical and industrial, a millwright, metal buildings ...

Ralph M. Kline - Oct 11, 2006
Delaware Coast Press,Mr. Kline was born on May 7, 1926 in Ringtown, Pa., son of the late Carson and Hattie (Hauck) Kline. He was a retired millwright foreman. ...






More information on Millwrights from The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook
Overview of Millwrights occupation
Number of Millwrights in the U.S.
Salary and earnings for Millwrights
Working conditions for Millwrights
Significant points for Millwrights
Training requirements for Millwrights




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