Job Description:

• 1) Controls oil, gas, or electrical furnace to heat stock, such as billets, bars, plates and rods, preparatory to forging, following work order specifications: Reads dials and gauges, and turns knobs to regulate flow of fuel or electric current to verify and maintain specified temperature within furnace.

• 2) Positions stock in furnace, using tongs or chain hoist.

• 3) Observes color of metal or reads pyrometer to determine when stock reaches forging temperature.

• 4) Pulls stock from furnace and delivers it to forging press or hammer, using tongs or chain hoist.

• 5) Usually works as member of hammer, press, or upsetter crew.

• 6) May place heated workpiece on conveyor for transporting to work area.

• 7) May turn knobs to synchronize speed of feed and takeoff conveyors of automatic furnace.