Carpentry Essay, Research Paper

Carpentry

For my graduation project I have chosen to do research on the career of carpentry. This career has interested me for many years. My uncle is a carpenter contractor so I used to see him do his work and wanted to do something like that when I got older. In my paper I have broken it down to sections. The heading will tell you what I will be talking about in the next section.

Nature of the work and skills

Carpenters are involved in many different kinds of construction activity. They cut, fit, and assemble wood and other materials in the construction of buildings, highways, bridges, docks, industrial plants, boats, and many other structures. Carpenters? duties vary by type of employer. Builders increasingly are using specialty trade contractors who, in turn, hire carpenters who specialize in just one or two activities. Some of these activities are setting forms for concrete construction; erecting scaffolding; or doing finishing work, such as installing interior and exterior trim. However, a carpenter directly employed by a general building contractor often must perform a variety of the tasks associated with new construction, such as framing walls and partitions, putting in doors and windows, building stairs, laying hardwood floors, and hanging kitchen cabinets.

Each carpentry task is somewhat different, but most involve the same basic steps. Working from blueprints or instructions from supervisors, carpenters first do the layout?measuring, marking, and arranging materials. They cut and shape wood, plastic, fiberglass, or drywall, using hand and power tools, such as chisels, planes, saws, drills, and sanders. They then join the materials with nails, screws, staples, or adhesives. In the final step, carpenters check the accuracy of their work with levels, rules, plumb bobs, and framing squares and make any necessary adjustments. When working with prefabricated components, such as stairs or wall panels, the carpenter?s task is somewhat simpler than above, because it does not require as much layout work or the cutting and assembly of as many pieces. Prefabricated components are designed for easy and fast installation and generally can be installed in a single operation.

Carpenters who remodel homes and other structures must be able to do all aspects of a job?and not just one task. Thus, individuals with good basic overall training are at a distinct advantage, because they can switch from residential building to commercial construction or remodeling work, depending on which offers the best work opportunities.

Carpenters employed outside the construction industry perform a variety of installation and maintenance work. They may replace panes of glass, ceiling tiles, and doors, as well as repair desks, cabinets, and other furniture. Depending on the employer, carpenters install partitions, doors, and windows; change locks; and repair broken furniture. In manufacturing firms, carpenters may assist in moving or installing machinery.

Qualifications and Knowledge

Certification through completion of four-year carpentry apprenticeship program and a minimum of four years follow-on filed experience preferred. Must be proficient in blueprint reading, math and have good communications skills. Successful completion of leadership/management training a plus. Understanding of cost control, construction sequencing, scheduling, safety regulations required. Ability to supervise, mentor, train, and evaluate craft personnel. Employers generally seek people who read, write, and speak well; compute accurately; think logically; learn quickly; get along with others; and demonstrate dependability.

Working Conditions and Salary

In many occupations people work regular business hours-40 hours a week, Monday through Friday-but many do not. For example, waiters and waitresses often work evenings and weekends. The work setting can range from a hospital, to a mall, to an offshore oilrig. The conditions can vary from inside to outside. You could be working on a house one day then the next making a doghouse. You can be in high or slippery positions in order to do something so this job has some danger in it of falling or slipping. You mostly work outside so the sun is a factor also the rain. You may also have to travel a lot. Top executives travel frequently so make the deals. Skilled and experienced Carpenters can earn as much as $45,000 a year.

Job Outlook

Carpentry is a growing career in this world. In the recent studies I found out that carpenter jobs will increase by as much as 9% through the year 2006. So I fell that if I would want to enter this career it would be a good decision considering the information I have found. As far as benefits go if you are self-employed you can apply from benefits but you will get more if you are with a big firm.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Some advantages in this job are that you can basically work whatever hours you want. If your self employed you can absolutely work whatever hours you want. You can also decide to take or reject the jobs if you think it would be too hard or not possible to do. Some disadvantages are that you might not have any business and if your family depends on this its not good. So this kind of job is mostly for single or married with no kids. You might also have to travel allot and then if you would have a family you wouldn’t be able to be at home as much.

Impact

This project that I have done has given me an in depth look at a carrier that I am thinking about perusing. The information I found has helped me relize what I have to do and what I need to do to become successful in this career.

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