A Day in the Life of a Toolmaker at Boneham & Turner
Ben’s day typically starts by reviewing scheduled production orders and preparing the tooling required for upcoming jobs. Before anything goes near a machine, he carefully inspects existing tools, checking that cutting edges are sharp and that clearances are correctly set for the disc shim sheet being machined. If suitable tooling is not available, or if it’s a completely new job, then Ben will design and manufacture it.
Why Engineering?
Ben’s interest in engineering began in sixth form college, where he discovered a passion for manufacturing and creating components from start to finish. He was fascinated by what tooling could produce and how machining principles could be applied to achieve precise shapes, sizes and surface finishes.
But his inspiration started even earlier. His grandad was an “old school” pattern maker, crafting split and loose patterns from materials like mahogany. Listening to stories about how these patterns were carefully made by hand sparked Ben’s appreciation for traditional craftsmanship and precision manufacturing.
Embracing the Challenge
For Ben, challenges are part of the job and part of the enjoyment.
“Being an engineer is the challenge,” he explains. “It’s about using the skills you’ve gained to solve problems, whether that’s independently or as part of a team.”
Every new job brings variables to consider, from material behaviour to tooling geometry, and finding solutions is what keeps the role engaging.
Breaking the Maths Myth
One misconception Ben had before entering the industry was that you needed to be a maths genius to succeed in engineering. In reality, engineering is a blend of many skills: practical ability, problem-solving, creativity, teamwork and attention to detail. Maths plays a role, but it’s only one piece of a much bigger picture.
For Ben, toolmaking is about turning ideas into something tangible, designing, machining and finishing tools that enable precision manufacturing every day.