Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers

What the job really is

Shape molten glass according to patterns.

At a glance

• Sector: Production
• O*NET-SOC code: 51-9195
• O*NET job zone: 2 — some preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Spray or swab molds with oil solutions to prevent adhesion of glass.
• Heat glass to pliable stage, using gas flames or ovens and rotating glass to heat it uniformly.
• Inspect, weigh, and measure products to verify conformance to specifications, using instruments such as micrometers, calipers, magnifiers, or rulers.
• Record manufacturing information, such as quantities, sizes, or types of goods produced.
• Place glass into dies or molds of presses and control presses to form products, such as glassware components or optical blanks.
• Blow tubing into specified shapes to prevent glass from collapsing, using compressed air or own breath, or blow and rotate gathers in molds or on boards to obtain final shapes.
• Determine types and quantities of glass required to fabricate products.
• Set up and adjust machine press stroke lengths and pressures and regulate oven temperatures, according to glass types to be processed.
• Shape, bend, or join sections of glass, using paddles, pressing and flattening hand tools, or cork.
• Design and create glass objects, using blowpipes and artisans' hand tools and equipment.
• Operate and maintain finishing machines to grind, drill, sand, bevel, decorate, wash, or polish glass or glass products.
• Repair broken scrolls by replacing them with new sections of tubing.

Tools and technology

Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Outlook, Air compressors, Annealing ovens, Billing software, Cutting wheels, Dial calipers, Digital micrometers, Drill presses, Electric kilns, Engine lathes, Glass blowing pipes

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic
• Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
• Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
• Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
• Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
• Tool and Die Makers
• Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
• Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 2 (some preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

Browse the verified job sources directory, or explore more occupations.

Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.