Directory of Semiskilled Trades

Sector : 05 - Woodworking and Furniture Making Info

8751 Furniture or Cabinet Assembler

M751
Field of application Furniture or cabinet assemblers work for companies that produce small or medium lines of furniture or cabinets made from solid wood or wood-based panels. They assemble chairs, tables, armchairs, bookshelves, dressers, kitchen and bathroom cabinets, etc.
Other job titles Assembler/fitter

549 - Prepare the assembly (furniture, cabinets or doors and windows) 2

Performance criteria

  • Compliance with occupational health and safety rules
  • Compliance with work instructions
  • Correct identification of materials, if applicable
  • Accurate interpretation of assembly plan and steps
  • Correct visualization of the product to be made
  • Good organizational skills

Tasks

  • Receive instructions from the person in charge.
  • Read the production specifications (assembly methods, fastening materials, assembly sequence, part dimensions, etc.) or the shipping labels.
  • Verify the availability of the materials required (fastening materials such as nails and screws; assembly hardware such as slides, fittings or hinges; raw materials such as sealants and glue, etc.).
  • Verify the availability and quality of all the parts needed to assemble the product.
  • Set aside all irregular parts and place them in the designated areas.
  • Check the operating condition of the tools or equipment.
  • Ensure that the personal protective equipment is in good working order and put it on.
  • Detect any problems and notify the person in charge.

825101 - Assemble furniture or cabinets 2

Performance criteria

  • Compliance with occupational health and safety rules
  • Compliance with work instructions
  • Observance of manufacturer’s specifications
  • Compliance with assembly sequence
  • Observance of drying time
  • Proper application of work techniques
  • Proper use of tools, instruments and equipment
  • Compliance with assembly diagram
  • Precise, methodical work
  • Precision of measurements
  • Concern for the attainment of the production objectives

Tasks

  • Take measurements.
  • Make various types of joints (mortise and tenon, profile-counter/profile, tongue and groove); insert and glue strips into their grooves; tighten fasteners or clamp components in place.
  • Join edges: sand edges lightly; prepare any required glue mixes; apply a coat of glue to each surface, making sure to follow the manufacturer’s spreading instructions; apply clamps and straps or place the product in a press and squeeze out any excess glue.
  • Staple components.
  • Nail components: mark off the nail positions; make guide holes, if necessary; use a manual or pneumatic hammer; fill holes or cracks with spackling paste, if necessary.
  • Screw the components together: mark off the screw positions; make guide holes, if necessary; use a manual, electric or battery-powered screwdriver; fill any holes or cracks with spackling paste, if necessary, or plug holes with dowel pins.
  • Check the quality of the assembly (squareness, solidity, etc.).
  • Detect any problems and inform the person in charge.

825102 - Attach fittings (hinges, fasteners, track guides, etc.) 2

Performance criteria

  • Compliance with occupational health and safety rules
  • Compliance with work instructions
  • Observance of manufacturer’s specifications
  • Compliance with assembly sequence
  • Proper application of work techniques
  • Proper use of tools, instruments and equipment
  • Compliance with assembly diagram
  • Precise, methodical work
  • Precision of measurements
  • Concern for the attainment of the production objectives

Tasks

  • Take measurements.
  • Mark off the positions of the fittings.
  • Use a track guide installation tool, a drilling template, etc.
  • Correctly position the fittings and screw or nail them in place.
  • Ensure that the assembled pieces function properly (cupboard doors, drawers, etc.).
  • Check the quality of the assembly work.
  • Detect any problems and inform the person in charge.

825103 - Attach fittings or decorative appliques 2

Performance criteria

  • Compliance with occupational health and safety rules
  • Compliance with work instructions
  • Observance of manufacturer’s specifications
  • Proper application of work techniques
  • Proper use of tools, instruments and equipment
  • Compliance with assembly diagram
  • Precise, methodical work
  • Precision of measurements
  • Concern for the attainment of the production objectives

Tasks

  • Take measurements.
  • Mark off the positions of the fittings (drawer or door handles, etc.) or decorative appliques.
  • Screw or nail fittings in place.
  • Apply decorative appliques.
  • Install a lock on a cabinet or cupboard door. Optional task or competency
  • Check the quality of the work (squareness, solidity, etc.).
  • Detect any problems and inform the person in charge.

825104 - Verify the assembly of furniture or cabinets 2

Performance criteria

  • Compliance with occupational health and safety rules
  • Compliance with work instructions
  • Compliance with quality standards
  • staying within the limits of the occupation
  • Accurate data
  • Precise, methodical work
  • Precision of measurements

Tasks

  • Check the condition of surfaces, looking for scratches or other imperfections.
  • Verify the squareness and solidity of furniture or cupboards.
  • Ensure that the fittings are working properly.
  • Verify the positions of the fittings and decorative appliques.
  • Identify any products that do not comply with specifications.
  • Correct any irregularities, if necessary, or move defective products to areas designated for that purpose.
  • Complete the production report.

825105 - Prepare furniture or cabinets for prefinishing or finishing Optional task or competency 2

Performance criteria

  • Compliance with occupational health and safety rules
  • Compliance with work instructions
  • Proper application of work techniques
  • Proper use of tools and equipment
  • Precise, methodical work
  • Precision of measurements

Tasks

  • Remove the fittings and decorative appliques.
  • Partially disassemble the product.
  • Identify its components.
  • Place the components on a cart.

105 - Keep the workspace clean and orderly, in an industrial setting 1

Performance criteria

  • Compliance with occupational health and safety rules
  • Observance of environmental laws and regulations
  • Compliance with work instructions
  • Observance of maintenance schedule
  • Compliance with the storage or warehousing plan
  • Proper application of work techniques
  • Concern for using materials sparingly
  • Order and cleanliness

Tasks

  • Put away the parts or products in their designated areas.
  • Clean the tools and equipment. Optional task or competency
  • Sort and put away all materials used. Optional task or competency
  • Clean and sweep the work areas.
  • Salvage scrap materials for recycling and dispose of waste.
  • Report signs of breakage to the maintenance service or person in charge.
Info Optional competency or task. Competencies or tasks marked with this symbol are not required in all workplaces. They could be included in a student’s training plan if the practicum setting offers the opportunity for the student to apply them.