What Does a Fitter and Turner Do?

August 27, 2026

A fitter and turner is a mechanical tradesperson who builds, installs, maintains and repairs machinery and mechanical equipment.

The trade combines two main skill areas.

Fitting involves assembling, maintaining and repairing mechanical equipment.

Turning involves machining components to precise dimensions, usually using equipment such as lathes.

In reality, the exact job can vary enormously.

One fitter and turner might spend most of the week machining precision components in an engineering workshop.

Another might be maintaining conveyors and pumps at a food-processing plant.

Another could be working FIFO on a mine site fixing fixed plant.

Same trade.

Very different Tuesday.

What Does a Fitter and Turner Actually Do?

Typical work can include:

Maintaining machinery
Repairing breakdowns
Installing mechanical equipment
Dismantling machinery
Reassembling equipment
Replacing bearings
Repairing pumps
Working on gearboxes
Aligning shafts and couplings
Machining replacement parts
Using lathes
Using milling machines
Measuring components
Reading engineering drawings
Diagnosing mechanical faults

The balance between these tasks depends heavily on where you work.

What Does the "Fitter" Part Mean?

Mechanical fitting is about getting machinery and components to fit together and operate correctly.

That can involve:

Installing equipment
Assembling machinery
Adjusting components
Replacing worn parts
Maintaining moving equipment
Checking tolerances
Aligning machinery

Fitters need to understand how mechanical systems work as a whole.

If something isn't running properly, they need to work out why.

What Does the "Turner" Part Mean?

Turning is a machining process.

A piece of material is rotated on a lathe while a cutting tool removes material from it.

This allows a tradesperson to create precise components such as:

Shafts
Pins
Bushes
Sleeves
Spacers

The work can involve extremely small tolerances.

That's why measurement and attention to detail are such important parts of the trade.

Do All Fitters and Turners Use Lathes Every Day?

No.

This is where the job title can be a little misleading.

Some fitter and turners spend a significant part of their job machining.

Others move into maintenance roles where they rarely use a lathe.

A maintenance fitter at a large factory may spend most of their time working on:

Pumps
Conveyors
Bearings
Gearboxes
Production machinery

while a machinist in an engineering workshop could spend most of the day on machine tools.

Your career can lean heavily towards one side of the trade.

What Is a Mechanical Fitter?

Mechanical fitter is one of the most common related job titles.

Mechanical fitters focus heavily on the installation, maintenance and repair of mechanical equipment.

Typical tasks include:

Replacing bearings
Rebuilding pumps
Repairing gearboxes
Aligning equipment
Maintaining conveyors
Diagnosing faults

You'll see mechanical fitter jobs across manufacturing, mining, processing and other heavy industries.

What Is a Maintenance Fitter?

A maintenance fitter works on machinery already operating within a facility.

Their job is essentially to keep the place running.

They might perform:

Planned maintenance
Inspections
Repairs
Breakdowns
Equipment replacement
Lubrication
Alignment

Maintenance fitters are especially important in businesses where equipment downtime is expensive.

If a production line stops, there's usually suddenly a lot of interest in what the fitter is doing.

What Is a Fixed Plant Fitter?

Fixed plant fitters are common in mining and processing.

Fixed plant refers to machinery that remains in one location rather than moving around the site.

Examples include:

Crushers
Conveyors
Screens
Pumps
Mills
Processing equipment

A fixed plant fitter maintains and repairs this equipment.

This can be a very strong pathway into FIFO and mining work.

What Is a Machinist?

A machinist specialises more heavily in manufacturing precision components.

They may use:

Manual lathes
Milling machines
CNC machines
Drilling equipment
Grinding machines

Machinists interpret drawings and manufacture components to the required dimensions.

Fitter and turners can develop strong machining skills and eventually specialise in this area.

What Is a CNC Machinist?

CNC stands for Computer Numerical Control.

CNC machines use computer-controlled instructions to perform machining operations.

A CNC machinist may be responsible for:

Setting up machines
Loading programs
Selecting tooling
Adjusting cutting parameters
Measuring finished parts
Troubleshooting machining problems

More experienced machinists may also program machines.

Modern manufacturing increasingly relies on CNC equipment, so these skills can be extremely valuable.

What Does a Fitter Do During a Breakdown?

Breakdown work is one of the more intense parts of maintenance fitting.

A machine has stopped.

Production may have stopped with it.

The fitter needs to diagnose the problem.

That might involve checking:

Bearings
Belts
Chains
Couplings
Gearboxes
Pumps
Shafts

Once the fault is found, the fitter repairs or replaces the affected component.

Then the equipment needs to be safely returned to service.

What Is Preventative Maintenance?

Preventative maintenance aims to stop breakdowns before they happen.

Instead of waiting for equipment to fail, fitters perform scheduled work such as:

Inspections
Lubrication
Adjustments
Bearing replacement
Belt replacement
Checking wear
Alignment checks

The idea is simple.

Fix a small problem now rather than a very expensive problem later.

What Is Planned Maintenance?

Planned maintenance involves scheduling jobs in advance.

A fitter might receive work orders specifying:

Equipment
Job requirements
Replacement parts
Procedures

This is common in large facilities.

It allows maintenance teams to coordinate work with production and reduce unnecessary downtime.

What Are Shutdowns?

Sometimes major maintenance can't be performed while equipment is operating.

The business temporarily shuts down a section of the plant.

Then a large maintenance workforce goes in and completes as much work as possible within a short period.

Fitters are heavily involved in shutdowns.

The work can involve:

Long shifts
Multiple consecutive days
Major equipment repairs
Component replacements

Shutdowns are especially common across mining and heavy industry.

What Machinery Do Fitters Work On?

The list is enormous.

Depending on your industry, you could work on:

Pumps
Motors
Gearboxes
Conveyors
Crushers
Production machinery
Packaging equipment
Fans
Compressors
Hydraulic systems
Pneumatic systems

That's one reason the trade can stay interesting.

You're not necessarily working on the same thing every day.

Pumps

Pumps are used throughout industry to move liquids.

Fitters may:

Remove pumps
Dismantle them
Inspect components
Replace bearings
Replace seals
Reassemble them
Align them

Pump maintenance is common across water, manufacturing, food processing and mining.

Gearboxes

Gearboxes transfer power while changing speed and torque.

They're used in huge amounts of machinery.

A fitter might:

Inspect a gearbox
Replace bearings
Check gears
Replace seals
Rebuild the unit

Gearbox work requires care because incorrect assembly can quickly create another failure.

Conveyors

Conveyor systems are everywhere in industries involving bulk materials or production.

Fitters may maintain:

Rollers
Bearings
Pulleys
Drives
Gearboxes

In mining, kilometres of conveyor systems can be used to move material around processing plants.

Bearings

Bearings are one of the most common mechanical components fitters work with.

They allow shafts and other moving equipment to rotate smoothly.

When bearings fail, you may notice:

Noise
Heat
Vibration
Movement
Equipment failure

Correct bearing installation is an important fitting skill.

Shafts and Couplings

Shafts transfer rotating power between components.

Couplings connect those shafts together.

Fitters need to ensure equipment is:

Correctly assembled
Properly aligned
Secure

Poor alignment can damage bearings, seals and other components.

Alignment

Alignment is a major part of mechanical fitting.

Imagine a motor driving a pump.

If the shafts aren't aligned properly, you may experience:

Vibration
Excessive wear
Bearing failures
Coupling damage

Fitters may use precision tools to align machinery accurately.

Hydraulics

Some fitters work heavily with hydraulic systems.

Hydraulics use pressurised fluid to transmit power.

You see them across:

Industrial machinery
Mining equipment
Manufacturing
Heavy equipment

Fitters may work with hydraulic:

Cylinders
Hoses
Valves
Pumps

Specialist hydraulic experience can be valuable.

Pneumatics

Pneumatic systems use compressed air.

Factories commonly use pneumatics for:

Cylinders
Actuators
Automated machinery

Maintenance fitters may diagnose issues involving:

Air leaks
Valves
Cylinders
Pressure

Modern maintenance work often involves understanding multiple mechanical systems.

What Tools Do Fitters and Turners Use?

Common tools can include:

Spanners
Sockets
Hammers
Torque wrenches
Pullers
Files
Drills
Grinders

You'll also use specialised measurement and machining equipment.

Precision Measuring Tools

Fitters and machinists can use tools such as:

Vernier calipers
Micrometers
Dial indicators
Bore gauges

These allow much more accurate measurement than an ordinary ruler or tape measure.

Machining may involve tolerances measured in tiny fractions of a millimetre.

Accuracy matters.

Engineering Drawings

Fitters and turners need to understand engineering drawings.

These can tell you:

Component dimensions
Tolerances
Material specifications
Assembly information

Machinists use drawings to manufacture parts.

Fitters may use them when assembling or installing machinery.

Do Fitters and Turners Weld?

Some do.

Basic welding and fabrication can be useful within fitting.

But welding generally isn't the core skill of the trade.

Boilermakers and welders specialise much more heavily in:

Welding
Fabrication
Steel structures
Plate work

There can still be plenty of crossover in industrial workplaces.

Do Fitters Work With Electricians?

Constantly.

Modern industrial machinery combines:

Mechanical systems
Electrical equipment
Automation
Instrumentation

Imagine a conveyor stops working.

The problem could be:

Mechanical.

Electrical.

Control related.

Maintenance teams often work together to diagnose faults.

The fitter doesn't need to become an electrician.

But understanding how the systems interact is useful.

Do Fitters Work With Boilermakers?

Yes.

A fitter may need equipment repaired or modified that requires fabrication.

That's where boilermakers come in.

During shutdowns, you may see fitters and boilermakers working together on the same equipment.

Each trade brings different skills.

Where Do Fitters and Turners Work?

Common workplaces include:

Engineering workshops
Factories
Mine sites
Processing plants
Power stations
Water facilities
Food-processing facilities
Heavy industrial sites
Defence facilities
Transport maintenance facilities

You can spend your entire career in one environment.

Or move between several.

Manufacturing

Manufacturing is one of the traditional industries for the trade.

Factories rely on equipment to keep production moving.

Fitters may be responsible for:

Maintenance
Breakdowns
Upgrades
Equipment installation

Factories operating around the clock can employ maintenance crews across multiple shifts.

Food Processing

Food manufacturing uses huge amounts of machinery.

You could work on:

Conveyors
Mixers
Packaging machinery
Pumps
Production lines

Hygiene standards can make these environments different from other heavy industrial workplaces.

It can be a good option for fitters who want industrial maintenance experience without working remotely.

Mining

Mining is one of the most attractive industries for many fitters.

Mine sites require mechanical maintenance across:

Crushing
Conveying
Processing
Fixed plant

Roles may be:

FIFO
DIDO
Residential

Mining can offer strong salaries, particularly once you've built relevant experience.

Can a Fitter and Turner Work FIFO?

Yes.

Mechanical fitters are commonly employed in FIFO roles.

A FIFO fitter may fly to site, work a roster such as:

and stay in camp during the working swing.

The combination of long shifts and remote work can produce strong annual earnings.

What Does a FIFO Fitter Do?

The actual fitting work isn't necessarily dramatically different.

You may still:

Repair pumps
Replace bearings
Maintain conveyors
Work on gearboxes
Perform shutdown maintenance

The main differences are the location and roster.

You're doing industrial maintenance while living at a remote site for the duration of your swing.

What Does a Fitter Do in Mining?

Mining fitters often work on fixed plant used to process material.

This can include:

Crushers
Screens
Conveyors
Mills
Pumps

Some mechanical tradespeople specialise instead in mobile plant.

That's more likely to involve heavy equipment such as:

Haul trucks
Excavators
Loaders

The qualifications and job titles can vary.

Fixed Plant vs Mobile Plant

This is an important distinction.

Fixed plant doesn't move.

Think:

Crushers
Conveyors
Processing equipment

Mobile plant moves.

Think:

Haul trucks
Loaders
Excavators

Traditional mechanical fitters are heavily represented in fixed plant maintenance.

Heavy diesel mechanics and mobile plant technicians tend to focus more heavily on mobile machinery.

What Does a Fitter Do in a Workshop?

Workshop fitters may perform:

Equipment rebuilds
Machining
Component repairs
Assembly
Fabrication

The environment can be more controlled than field maintenance.

You generally have access to workshop equipment and tooling.

This can be an excellent environment for developing strong technical skills.

What Does a Fitter Do in Field Service?

Field service means travelling to customer sites.

Instead of the equipment coming to you, you go to it.

You might work at:

Factories
Warehouses
Plants
Mines

Field service can provide variety because you're constantly seeing different equipment and customers.

Is Fitting and Turning Physical?

Yes.

The trade can involve:

Standing
Lifting
Climbing
Kneeling
Using tools
Working around machinery

Mechanical lifting equipment is used for heavy components.

But it's still a hands-on trade.

If you want an office job where the heaviest thing you lift is a laptop, fitting probably isn't it.

Is Fitting and Turning Dirty?

It can be.

Maintenance work may involve:

Grease
Oil
Dust
Old machinery

Mining and heavy industry can be particularly dirty.

A precision machining shop may be significantly cleaner.

Your environment depends on your specialisation.

Is Fitting and Turning Dangerous?

Potentially.

Industrial machinery can involve serious hazards.

These can include:

Rotating equipment
Stored energy
Heavy components
Hot surfaces
Working at heights

Fitters need to follow strict safety procedures.

Isolation is particularly important.

You don't want machinery unexpectedly starting while someone is working on it.

What Is Isolation?

Isolation means preventing equipment from operating while maintenance is being performed.

This can involve isolating sources such as:

Electricity
Hydraulic pressure
Pneumatic pressure
Mechanical energy

Industrial employers generally have strict lockout and isolation procedures.

Understanding these procedures is fundamental to maintenance work.

Do Fitters Work Alone?

Sometimes.

But much of the work involves teams.

You could work alongside:

Other fitters
Electricians
Boilermakers
Operators
Engineers
Trades assistants

Large maintenance jobs may involve multiple trades coordinating work.

Do Fitters Work Overtime?

Many do.

Breakdowns don't always happen during convenient business hours.

Industrial facilities may also schedule maintenance during:

Weekends
Shutdowns
Public holidays

Overtime can significantly increase annual earnings.

Do Fitters Work Night Shift?

Some positions involve nights.

Factories and mines operating 24/7 need maintenance coverage around the clock.

Shift work can mean:

Higher earnings
More days off

but also a less conventional sleep schedule.

How Much Do Fitters and Turners Earn?

Pay varies enormously.

The amount you earn depends on:

Industry
Experience
Location
Shift work
Overtime
Mining
FIFO
Specialisation

Local workshop jobs can pay significantly less than remote mining roles.

Experienced fitters working in high-paying industrial environments can earn strong six-figure salaries.

What Skills Make a Good Fitter and Turner?

Useful skills include:

Mechanical reasoning
Problem solving
Precision
Patience
Safety awareness
Practical maths
Communication

You also need curiosity.

Good maintenance workers want to understand why something failed.

Replacing a broken component fixes today's problem.

Understanding why it broke can prevent tomorrow's.

Do You Need to Be Good at Maths?

You need practical maths skills.

You'll regularly deal with:

Measurements
Decimals
Fractions
Angles
Tolerances

Machining requires particular accuracy.

You don't need to be a mathematician.

But you shouldn't be terrified of numbers either.

Is Fault Finding Important?

Very.

Fault finding separates someone who can simply change parts from someone who understands machinery.

When equipment stops, a fitter might need to determine whether the issue involves:

A bearing
Alignment
A gearbox
A coupling
Lubrication

The faster and more accurately you identify the cause, the more valuable you become.

Do Fitters Make Parts?

They can.

One of the advantages of fitting and turning is the ability to repair equipment and manufacture components.

Imagine a machine needs a replacement bush.

Instead of waiting days for a part, a fitter with machining skills may be able to manufacture one.

That's where the "turner" side of the trade becomes particularly useful.

Is Fitting and Turning Still Relevant?

Absolutely.

Machining technology has changed.

Factories have become increasingly automated.

But machinery still needs to be:

Installed
Maintained
Repaired

In fact, increasingly complicated equipment can make highly skilled maintenance workers even more important.

Automation doesn't eliminate maintenance.

It creates more expensive machines to maintain.

What Can You Specialise In?

Possible pathways include:

Mechanical maintenance
Fixed plant
Machining
CNC machining
Hydraulics
Shutdown work
Field service
Mining

You can shape the career around the type of work you enjoy.

Can Fitters Move Into Supervision?

Yes.

Experienced fitters can become:

Leading hands
Supervisors
Workshop supervisors
Maintenance supervisors

These roles involve less hands-on work and more responsibility for:

People
Safety
Scheduling
Jobs

It's a common progression for tradespeople later in their careers.

Can Fitters Become Maintenance Planners?

Yes.

Maintenance planning is another common off-tools pathway.

Planners organise future maintenance jobs.

They may need to determine:

Parts
Labour
Equipment
Timing

Trade experience is valuable because you understand what the actual work involves.

Can Fitters Move Into Reliability?

Yes.

Reliability roles focus on reducing equipment failures.

You may become involved in:

Failure analysis
Condition monitoring
Maintenance strategies

This can be a very technical career direction.

Can Fitters Move Into Technical Sales?

Yes.

Industrial suppliers value salespeople who actually understand machinery.

A fitter might move into selling:

Bearings
Pumps
Gearboxes
Tools
Industrial equipment

Trade knowledge can make it much easier to have credible conversations with customers.

Can Fitters Start Their Own Business?

Yes.

Experienced fitters may eventually provide services such as:

Mechanical maintenance
Machining
Field service
Equipment repair
Shutdown contracting

Running your own business can increase earning potential.

It also means you're suddenly responsible for much more than fixing machines.

Customers, quoting, invoices and cash flow become part of the job too.

What's the Difference Between a Fitter and Turner and a Mechanic?

Both work with mechanical systems.

But mechanics generally focus on vehicles or mobile machinery.

Fitters generally work more heavily with industrial machinery and plant.

There is still crossover.

For example, both may work with:

Bearings
Hydraulics
Mechanical components

The equipment is simply different.

What's the Difference Between a Fitter and an Electrician?

Fitters work primarily with mechanical systems.

Electricians work primarily with electrical systems.

In industrial maintenance, they often work side by side.

A production machine can require both trades to maintain it properly.

What's the Difference Between a Fitter and a Boilermaker?

A fitter focuses on machinery and mechanical maintenance.

A boilermaker focuses more heavily on:

Welding
Fabrication
Structural steel

Both are heavily used across mining and industrial workplaces.

Is Fitting and Turning a Good Career?

It can be an excellent one if you enjoy:

Machinery
Mechanical problem solving
Practical work
Industrial environments

The qualification can take you across an enormous range of industries.

You might start in a local engineering workshop.

Then move into factory maintenance.

Then work shutdowns.

Then go FIFO.

Then eventually become a maintenance supervisor.

You don't have to follow one fixed path.

Who Would Enjoy Fitting and Turning?

The trade may suit you if you:

Like pulling things apart
Want to know how machinery works
Enjoy fixing problems
Prefer hands-on work
Like precision
Don't mind industrial environments

If you're the person who sees a broken machine and immediately wants to know what failed inside it, you're probably looking in the right direction.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a fitter and turner do?

A fitter and turner installs, maintains and repairs mechanical equipment and can manufacture precision components using machinery such as lathes and milling machines.

What does a mechanical fitter do?

A mechanical fitter focuses on assembling, installing, maintaining and repairing industrial machinery and mechanical systems.

What machinery do fitters work on?

Fitters can work on pumps, gearboxes, conveyors, crushers, bearings, shafts, production machinery and many other types of industrial equipment.

Do fitter and turners use lathes?

Yes. Turning is traditionally performed using a lathe, although how frequently a fitter and turner uses one depends on their workplace and specialisation.

Do fitters work in mining?

Yes. Fitters are heavily employed across mining and processing operations, particularly in fixed plant maintenance.

Can fitters work FIFO?

Yes. FIFO mechanical fitter jobs are common in Australian mining and resources.

Is fitting and turning hard?

It can be technically and physically demanding. You need mechanical reasoning, practical maths, precision and the ability to work safely around industrial machinery.

Do fitters weld?

Some fitters perform basic welding and fabrication, although boilermakers and

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