A professional who controls oil, gas, or electrical furnace to heat stock, such as billets, bars, plates and rods, preparatory to forging, following work order specifications. Respnsibilities include:

• Reads dials and gauges, and turns knobs to regulate flow of fuel or electric current to verify and maintain specified temperature within furnace.
• Positions stock in furnace, using tongs or chain hoist.
• Observes color of metal or reads pyrometer to determine when stock reaches forging temperature.
• Pulls stock from furnace and delivers it to forging press or hammer, using tongs or chain hoist.
• Usually works as member of hammer, press, or upsetter crew.
• May place heated workpiece on conveyor for transporting to work area.
• May turn knobs to synchronize speed of feed and takeoff conveyors of automatic furnace.