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Metal Fabricator (Model Unit)

Model-unit metalwork specialist: cuts, shapes, welds and finishes metal components and structures for props and models on UK film/TV (within workshop competence and tickets).

Duties

• Fabricate metal parts and frames to drawings and briefs
• Cut, grind, bend, braze/weld as ticketed and inducted
• Fit hardware, hinges and mechanical mounts with Mechanical Model Maker
• Finish metal for paint or polished hero looks
• Uphold hot-work permits, extraction and fire watch rules
• Maintain metal stocks and consumables with Coordinator
• Support on-set metal repairs only when safe and briefed

Reports to

Supervising Model Maker / HOD Model Maker

Works with

Mechanical Model Maker, Model Makers, Paint Finisher, Construction metalworkers when sharing facilities, H&S

Career path

Model Maker with metal focus → Metal Fabricator (Model Unit) → Senior

Day to day

Interpret metal drawings; cut and fit; weld/braze as approved; dress welds; pass to paint or assembly; keep gas/consumable logs.

Call times

Workshop-led: model unit often starts earlier than general unit call for build days. Standby Model Makers match unit call when covering shoot. Overnight cures, paint and last-minute hero makes before shoot days are common — always read the workshop schedule against the call sheet.

What to wear

Workshop PPE: steel toe-caps or production-approved boots; eye/ear protection; gloves suited to task (nitrile for resins, heat-resistant where needed); dust mask / respirator for sanding, spray and chemicals; apron or workshop blacks; hard hat / hi-vis if yard or stage rules require. Clean blacks when delivering to set. Welding PPE (helmet, FR clothing, gauntlets); hot-work discipline.

Tools & kit

Metalworking hand tools; square/tape; PPE; welding kit as personally owned only if production approves — plant usually workshop-supplied.

Tips

Confirm title, agreement, budget band, prep/wrap, kit/machine fee and workshop location on the deal memo. We never invent Bectu figures — check bectu.org.uk / Props Branch Prop Modelling and Prop Painters cards. On smaller shows Model Making may sit under Props as Prop Modelling; larger features often list Model Making as its own department.

Software

• Fusion 360 / SolidWorks sheet-metal and frames
• PDF fabrication drawings
• Excel cut lists
• Call sheets when on standby metal cover

Related roles

Mechanical Model Maker, Senior Model Maker, Paint Finisher / Model Painter

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