Cut, shape, and form metal parts, using lathes, power saws, snips, power brakes and shears, files, and mallets.

“Cut, shape, and form metal parts, using lathes, power saws, snips, power brakes and shears, files, and mallets.” is a core task performed by Model Makers, Metal and Plastic. Among the occupation's 16 rated tasks, workers place it 13th by importance (#4 most important). About 83% of workers say it is relevant to their job.

This is a single occupation-specific task statement from O*NET. The figures below describe how central the task is to the job and what independent studies measure about AI and this kind of work — not a prediction that the task will be automated.

Work activities this task rolls up to

O*NET groups concrete tasks into broader work activities shared across many occupations.

• Shape materials to create products. in Handling and Moving Objects
• Cut materials. in Handling and Moving Objects

AI exposure

The OpenAI / Eloundou “GPTs are GPTs” study rates this task E0. No direct exposure — current language models give little or no time savings on this task.

Exposure measures whether a model could meaningfully speed the task up — it is an estimate of overlap with model capabilities, not a measure of whether the work will be done by software. The study's intermediate score (β) for this task is 0.00. Automation potential label: T0.

Other tasks in this occupation

• Study blueprints, drawings, and sketches to determine material dimensions, required equipment, and operations sequences. · importance 4.5
• Set up and operate machines, such as lathes, drill presses, punch presses, or bandsaws, to fabricate prototypes or models. · importance 4.3
• Program computer numerical control (CNC) machines to fabricate model parts. · importance 4.3
• Inspect and test products to verify conformance to specifications, using precision measuring instruments or circuit testers. · importance 4.2
• Rework or alter component model or parts as required to ensure that products meet standards. · importance 4.1
• Drill, countersink, and ream holes in parts and assemblies for bolts, screws, and other fasteners, using power tools. · importance 4.0
• Grind, file, and sand parts to finished dimensions. · importance 4.0
• Devise and construct tools, dies, molds, jigs, and fixtures, or modify existing tools and equipment. · importance 3.9
• Record specifications, production operations, and final dimensions of models for use in establishing operating standards and procedures. · importance 3.9
• Align, fit, and join parts, using bolts and screws or by welding or gluing. · importance 3.9
• Use computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software or hardware to fabricate model parts. · importance 3.8
• Lay out and mark reference points and dimensions on materials, using measuring instruments and drawing or scribing tools. · importance 3.5
• Consult and confer with engineering personnel to discuss developmental problems and to recommend product modifications. · importance 3.5
• Assemble mechanical, electrical, and electronic components into models or prototypes, using hand tools, power tools, and fabricating machines. · importance 3.0

See all tasks on the Model Makers, Metal and Plastic page.

Sources for this page

Every figure above traces to a named public dataset and the exact release below — not hand-written opinion. See the full methodology for what each measure does and does not mean.

• O*NET 30.3 U.S. Department of Labor / National Center for O*NET Development
• “GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.) arXiv 2303.10130 OpenAI / academic

Data compiled June 2, 2026. Figures are estimates, not advice.

@misc{singulariki-task-12025,
  title  = {Cut, shape, and form metal parts, using lathes, power saws, snips, power brakes and shears, files, and mallets.},
  author = {{Singulariki}},
  year   = {2026},
  note   = {O*NET 30.3; “GPTs are GPTs” (Eloundou et al.) arXiv 2303.10130. Accessed June 7, 2026},
  url    = {https://singulariki.com/tasks/task-12025}
}