Go to a local hardware store. See how many different tools there are for each job. Pick the area of the store that interests you most and ask an employee more about the tools there.

Visit a hardware store and look around.

Try these quick projects from Khan Academy that you can do at home. Build a simple motor, a ping pong ball launcher, or something else from the list!

Develop mechanics knowledge with hands-on projects!

Watch a short video about making refractory bricks to get a better idea of what it's like to work with this type of material. Is this something you'd be interested in doing?

Learn how to make refractory bricks.

Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons

Build or repair equipment such as furnaces, kilns, cupolas, boilers, converters, ladles, soaking pits, and ovens, using refractory materials.

Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Realistic

Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Conventional

Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Investigative

Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Enterprising

Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

Artistic

Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Social

Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed

Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.

Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.

Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.

Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.

Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.

Industrial Machinery Installation, Repair, and Maintenance Workers

Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations

Other Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations

Reline or repair ladles and pouring spouts with refractory clay, using trowels.

Chip slag from linings of ladles or remove linings when beyond repair, using hammers and chisels.

Mix specified amounts of sand, clay, mortar powder, and water to form refractory clay or mortar, using shovels or mixing machines.

Measure furnace walls to determine dimensions and cut required number of sheets from plastic block, using saws.

Tighten locknuts holding refractory stopper assemblies together, spread mortar on jackets to seal sleeve joints, and dry mortar in ovens.

Dry and bake new linings by placing inverted linings over burners, building fires in ladles, or by using blowtorches.

Remove worn or damaged plastic block refractory linings of furnaces, using hand tools.

Fasten stopper heads to rods with metal pins to assemble refractory stoppers used to plug pouring nozzles of steel ladles.

Climb scaffolding, carrying hoses, and spray surfaces of cupolas with refractory mixtures, using spray equipment.

Drill holes in furnace walls, bolt overlapping layers of plastic to walls, and hammer surfaces to compress layers into solid sheets.

Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons

Overview

Career

What Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons Do

Other Job Titles Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons

Overview

Career

What Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons Do

Other Job Titles Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Education

Level of Education Attained by Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons

Majors Related to Career

Related Careers