Thomas Gaal

• Reliable and punctual with strong work ethic.
• Strong in Mathematics, mechanically inclined.
• Read, draw, interpret blueprints.
• Comfortable working in a fast paced environment.
• Can work independently with minimal supervision.
• Maintain a clean and safe workplace. 5S
• Program CNC / EDM machines.
• Eager to learn and expand my skillset, quick learner.
• Enjoy teaching and supporting apprentices and other Tool & Die Makers/Machinists.
• I have very high patience and do not get upset easily.
• Critical thinker.
• Maintain a calm, positive and optimistic mindset in challenging situations.
• Creative with solving problems.
• Graduated Tool & Die Apprenticeship Program at Conestoga College.
• Working at Heights, Health & Safety 4 Step, WHMIS, Traffic Control & Backing Vehicles, Skid Steer and Propane (all valid).

Tool And Die Maker

Advance Metal Industries - Kitchener, ON July 1996 to January 2007

• Extensive experience with building and modifying Blanking, Deep Draw, Progressive, Transfer and Compound Dies.
• Polishing, Blending form blocks.
• Experienced in worked within a fast paced Stamping Plant and in a Die Shop.
• Confident working independently or in collaboration with teams.
• Experienced in trained and guiding apprentices.
• Committed to working the necessary hours to complete tasks on schedule therefor reducing downtime.
• I have overseen the building of several dies simultaneously, leading multiple Machinists and Tool and Die Makers.
• Able to reference various tables and charts when choosing materials for machining of replacement parts.
• Skilled in Blank Development.
• Skilled in checking, layout and measuring of parts with a variety of tools and techniques.
• Operate Forklift.
• Building one of a kind parts.
• Reverse engineering new parts from broken parts or examples.
• Experienced in constructing both welding and checking fixtures.
• Proficient in diagnosing die issues.
• Skillful in the machining operation of Engine Lathes, Milling Machines, Horizontal & Vertical Boring Mills, Radial Drills, Shaper Machine, Surface Grinders, Cylindrical Grinders, Blanchard Grinders, Saws and various hand tools, to within prescribed tolerances.
• Setting up CNC Machining Operations.
• Programming CNC and EDM machines.
• Operating Sink EDM and making their electrodes.
• Operating Coordinate Measuring Machine.
• I am skilled at Brazing, Arc and MIG welding.
• Maintaining clean and safe work environment 5S.

Tool and Cutter Grinder / Gear Cutter

Rapid Gear - Kitchener, ON February 2007 to March 2011

• Sharpen Hobbs, End Mills, Drills and various other cutters.
• Machining to within tolerances of 0.0001".
• Cut internal and external gears, of various types.
• Maintain a clean work area 5S.
• Referencing tables and charts of various types.
• Proficient in checking, layout and measuring of gear tooth profile as well as cutters using a variety of measuring tool and techniques.
• I developed a solution to a problem that resulted in significant time and cost savings. Enabling the production of gears at a pace unprecedented in their prior 30 years.
• Operating Engine Lathes, Milling Machines, Radial Drills, Surface Grinders, Tool and Cutter Grinder, Gear Hobbing Machines, Gear Shaping Machines, Saw, Shadowgraph and various hand tools.
• Helping Millwrights and Electricians when needed.
• I learned additional skills at this job on top of what I learned as Tool & Die Maker.  I enjoyed the extreme accuracy required at this job.  It was a great place to further hone my skills. 

Graduate Tool & Die course at Conestoga College in Kitchener Ontario.

Certified Tool & Die Maker