A professional who straightens metal plates, weldments, and structural shapes or preheats them preparatory to welding or bending, using torch. Responsibilities include:

• Selects torch tip from data charts according to thickness, area, and temperature of metal to heat.
• Screws tip on torch and connects hoses from torch to tanks of oxygen and fuel gas, such as acetylene.
• Turns levers to activate flow of gas, lights flame, and adjusts mixture to obtain desired size and color of flame.
• Holds or guides flame along surface of workpiece to heat and expand metal, to achieve specified straightness, or until color indicates sufficient heating for welding or machine straightening or bending.
• Measures workpiece with straightedge or template to ensure conformance with specifications.
• May hammer out bulges and bends.
• May place workpiece into heating furnace for specified period of time, using jib of crane.