Power tool repair technician

Power tool repair technicians identify defects and repair electrically powered tools such as drills, chainsaws, lawn mowers and grinding machines. They disassemble, test and replace defective parts in tools. Power tools repair technicians advise customers on maintenance products and methods for their equipment. They may sell such products.

The following job titles also refer to power tool repair technician:

power tool equipment inspector
power compressor repairman
machine repairer
power tool repairman
power tool equipment repairer
power compressor mechanic
power tool craftsman
power tool equipment operative
power compression repairer
tool repair technician
power compressor inspector
machine tool repair technician
power tool maintainer
power tool equipment operator
power tool maintenance operative
tool repair inspector
power tool mechanic
power tool maintenance worker
hand tool repair technician

Power tool repair technicians normally work forty-hour weeks. Repair shops are generally well lighted, ventilated, and heated. Most repairers work indoors in the shop. Some repairers work in the field repairing tools that cannot be brought to the shop. In either case, repairers usually work with little or no supervision.

Repairers handle greasy, dirty parts. They may have to lift heavy tools and parts, and they may work in cramped positions. They may handle hot motors and equipment with sharp edges, often requiring protective gear. Safety procedures, which are taught in training, minimize the danger.

Power tool repair technicians usually need a high school diploma or its equivalent. High school courses in basic electricity and electronics are useful. Some high schools offer two-year applied physics courses that teach the principles of operating mechanical, fluid, electrical, and thermal devices. Vocational schools offer courses that are good for practical, hands-on experience in equipment operation and service.

Most employers provide additional on-the-job training. Learning to repair the more complex power tools can require up to three years of training. Some large companies, such as power tool manufacturers, have formal training programs that include home-study courses and shop classes. Power tool manufacturers also conduct seminars that last one or two weeks and deal with the repair of a specific tool.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Power tool repair technician is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to power tool repair technician.

sports equipment repair technician
consumer electronics repair technician
bicycle mechanic
office equipment repair technician
computer hardware repair technician

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of power tool repair technician. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of power tool repair technician with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

body artist
wedding planner
life coach
beauty salon manager
tourism contract negotiator

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of power tool repair technician.

• Mechanical tools: Understand machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

These skills are necessary for the role of power tool repair technician.

• Apply company policies: Apply the principles and rules that govern the activities and processes of an organisation.
• Maintain records of maintenance interventions: Keep written records of all repairs and maintenance interventions undertaken, including information on the parts and materials used, etc.
• Disassemble machines: Disassemble machines following defined procedures and inventory for the suitable handling of parts. Ensure that machines can be reassembled following disassembly.
• Perform test run: Perform tests putting a system, machine, tool or other equipment through a series of actions under actual operating conditions in order to assess its reliability and suitability to realise its tasks, and adjust settings accordingly.
• Maintain equipment: Regularly inspect and perform all required activities to maintain the equipment in functional order prior or after its use.
• Use power tools: Operate power driven pumps. Use hand tools or power tools. Use vehicle repair tools or safety equipment.
• Use specialised tools in electric repairs: Use of a variety of specialised tools, instruments and machines, such as presses, drills and grinders; employ them to carry out repairs in a safety manner.
• Advise on equipment maintenance: Advise customers on the appropriate products, methods and, if necessary, interventions to ensure proper maintenance and prevent premature damage of an object or an installation.
• Use repair manuals: Apply the information, such as periodic maintenance charts, step by step repair instructions, troubleshooting information and overhaul procedures to perform routine maintenance and repairs.
• Maintain customer service: Keep the highest possible customer service and make sure that the customer service is at all times performed in a professional way. Help customers or participants feel at ease and support special requirements.
• Use wire hand tools: Be able to use wire hand tools, such as crimp tools, cable strippers, and cable cutters.
• Assemble machines: Assemble machines according to instructions and specifications.
• Replace defect components: Remove defective parts and replace them with functioning components.
• Calibrate electronic instruments: Correct and adjust the reliability of an electronic instrument by measuring output and comparing results with the data of a reference device or a set of standardised results. This is done in regular intervals which are set by the manufacturer and using calibration devices.
• Lift heavy weights: Lift heavy weights and apply ergonomic lifting techniques to avoid damaging the body.
• Provide customer information related to repairs: Inform customers about necessary repairs or replacements, discuss products, services and costs, include accurate technical information.
• Repair power tools: Provide repair and routine level checks for power tools, such as engine tune-ups, oil changes, repair engine failures, repair mechanical and electrical systems malfunctions or body damage and replace parts and components.
• Disassemble engines: Disassemble internal combustion engines, generators, pumps, transmissions and other components of mechanical equipment.
• Provide customer follow-up services: Register, follow-up, solve and respond to customer requests, complaints and after-sales services.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of power tool repair technician. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Principles of mechanical engineering: Understand principles of mechanical engineering, physics, and materials science.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of power tool repair technician. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Manage schedule of tasks: Maintain an overview of all the incoming tasks in order to prioritise the tasks, plan their execution, and integrate new tasks as they present themselves.
• Apply soldering techniques: Apply and work with a variety of techniques in the process of soldering, such as soft soldering, silver soldering, induction soldering, resistance soldering, pipe soldering, mechanical and aluminium soldering.
• Order supplies: Command products from relevant suppliers to get convenient and profitable products to purchase.
• Maintain edged hand tools: Identify and repair defects in a hand tool handle or shaft. Ensure the tool is in safe working condition. Identify defective and dull cutting edges in tools and use appropriate equipment to sharpen them. Store tools correctly to maintain condition and usage safety.
• Lubricate engines: Apply motor oil to engines to lubricate internal combustion engines in order to reduce wear, to clean and to cool the engine.
• Manage a small-to-medium business: Manage the organisational, financial and day-to-day operation of a small-to-medium enterprise.
• Maintain relationship with suppliers: Build a lasting and meaningful relationship with suppliers and service providers in order to establish a positive, profitable and enduring collaboration, co-operation and contract negotiation.
• Maintain work area cleanliness: Keep the working area and equipment clean and orderly.
• Assist customers: Provide support and advice to customers in making purchasing decisions by finding out their needs, selecting suitable service and products for them and politely answering questions about products and services.
• Ensure compliance with warranty contracts: Implement and monitor repairs and/or replacements by the supplier in compliance with warranty contracts.
• Repair battery components: Repair battery components through replacing cells, repairing wiring, or spot-welding cells.
• Maintain professional administration: File and organise professional administration documents comprehensively, keep customer records, fill in forms or log books and prepare documents about company-related matter.
• Sharpen edged tools: Identify dull edges to sharp tools, or any defect in the edge. Use appropriate equipment to safely and effectively sharpen the tool. Maintain and protect sharpened tools. Report irreparable faults to the appropriate person.
• Administer appointments: Accept, schedule and cancel appointments.
• Develop professional network: Reach out to and meet up with people in a professional context. Find common ground and use your contacts for mutual benefit. Keep track of the people in your personal professional network and stay up to date on their activities.
• Apply technical communication skills: Explain technical details to non-technical customers, stakeholders, or any other interested parties in a clear and concise manner.
• Negotiate supplier arrangements: Reach an agreement with the supplier upon technical, quantity, quality, price, conditions, storage, packaging, send-back and other requirements related to the purchasing and delivering process.
• Operate grinding hand tools: Operate a variety of hand tools designed for grinding production materials, such as angle grinders, die grinders, grindstones, bench grinders, and others.
• Sell power tools: Sell power tools such as drills, chainsaws, lawn mowers or grinding machines. Sell accessories and products to maintain and clean power tools. Provide advice on purchasing decisions and try to meet customers wishes. Process payments.
• Issue sales invoices: Prepare the invoice of goods sold or services provided, containing individual prices, the total charge, and the terms. Complete order processing for orders received via telephone, fax and internet and calculate the customer’s final bill.
• Keep stock records: Keep written records of the amount of stock in storage, incoming and outgoing products required for the proper operation of services, repairs and maintenance tasks.

7412 – Electrical mechanics and fitters

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References

1. Power tool repair technician – ESCO
2. Power Tool Repairer Job Description – StateUniversity.com
3. Featured image: By U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kenneth Abbate – This image was released by the United States Navy with the ID 111025-N-OY799-174 (next), Public Domain