A fitter and machinist is a mechanical tradesperson who undertakes assembly work and fits mechanical and metal parts to make a variety of products and equipment. Their work can be categorised into three main areas; marking out work to be done, assembling and installing machines, and maintaining and repairing them.
They work from comprehensive specifications and often use hand and machine precision measuring instruments and tools. Fitters in the minerals industry can specialise as diesel fitter mechanics, instrument fitters, mechanical fitters, fixed plant fitters and electrical fitters.

Job Tasks:

• Fit and assemble metal parts, tools or sub-assemblies, including welding or brazing parts.
• Cut, thread, bend and install hydraulic and pneumatic pipes and lines.
• Mark the shape and dimensions of a part to be machined by studying blueprints and using measuring instruments.
• Check tightness of joints and operation of moving parts, and file or chisel parts to make final adjustments if the fit is not perfect.
• Inspect machinery regularly and make any adjustments or repairs needed by removing any worn or damaged parts to install replacements by sending a damaged part to the machine shop for repair or by doing the repair work themselves.