What You'll Do

  • Inspect or measure finished workpieces to determine conformance to specifications, using measuring instruments, such as gauges or micrometers.
  • Lift and position workpieces, manually or with hoists, and secure them in hoppers or on machine tables, faceplates, or chucks, using clamps.
  • Set up, operate, or tend grinding and related tools that remove excess material or burrs from surfaces, sharpen edges or corners, or buff, hone, or polish metal or plastic workpieces.
  • Observe machine operations to detect any problems, making necessary adjustments to correct problems.
  • Set and adjust machine controls according to product specifications, using knowledge of machine operation.
  • Measure workpieces and lay out work, using precision measuring devices.
  • Select machine tooling to be used, using knowledge of machine and production requirements.
  • Study blueprints, work orders, or machining instructions to determine product specifications, tool requirements, and operational sequences.
  • Mount and position tools in machine chucks, spindles, or other tool holding devices, using hand tools.
  • Activate machine start-up switches to grind, lap, hone, debar, shear, or cut workpieces, according to specifications.

Essential Skills

Operations Monitoring 4.0/5
Operation and Control 4.0/5
Quality Control Analysis 3.5/5
Reading Comprehension 3.12/5
Monitoring 3.12/5
Speaking 3.0/5
Critical Thinking 3.0/5
Troubleshooting 3.0/5
Judgment and Decision Making 3.0/5
Active Listening 2.88/5
Coordination 2.88/5
Complex Problem Solving 2.88/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.

Top passions

  • Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.
  • Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.
  • Analyst: Investigating problems and finding patterns keeps you engaged.

Common styles

Attention to Detail, Dependability, Self-Control, Cooperation, Integrity

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Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Control Precision 4.0/5
Manual Dexterity 3.75/5
Near Vision 3.75/5
Problem Sensitivity 3.62/5
Reaction Time 3.62/5
Arm-Hand Steadiness 3.5/5
Multilimb Coordination 3.5/5
Perceptual Speed 3.25/5

Technologies & Tools

Autodesk AutoCAD Manufacturing reporting system Mazak Mazatrol SMART CNC Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Windows SAP software

Work Environment & Style

Common Styles for This Career

  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.15/5)
  • Dependability (High importance: 4.0/5)
  • Self-Control (High importance: 3.85/5)
  • Cooperation (High importance: 3.78/5)
  • Integrity (High importance: 3.63/5)

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How to Become One

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful but is usually not required. Training is often provided on the job.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Abrasive Worker Air Grinder Aluminum Polisher Automatic Grinder Operator Axle Bearing Polisher Axle Polisher Balance Screwhead Polisher Band Reamer Machine Operator Band Saw Filer Barrel Centerer Barrel Polisher Bearing Grinder Bearingizer Belt Polisher Belt Technician (Belt Tech) Bench Grinder Bevel Face Stoner and Polisher Bevel Polisher Billet Grinder Bit Grinder Bit Sharpener Bit Sharpener Operator Blade Filer Blade Grinder Blade Groover Blade Sharpener Body Finisher Bottom Polisher Bottom Sander Brass Buffer Brass Burnisher Brass Finisher Brass Polisher Broach Grinder Brush Polisher Buffer Bufferer Buffing Line Set Up Worker Buffing Machine Operator Buffing Machine Tender Burnisher Burnishing Machine Operator Burr Bench Hand Burr Bench Operator Burr Filer Burr Machine Operator Burr Sander Burrer Burrer Operator Burring Machine Operator Burring Wheel Operator Castings Trimmer Cell Operator Centerless Grinder Centerless Grinder Operator Centerless Grinder Set-Up Operator Chrome Polisher Clock and Watch Grinder CNC Grinder (Computer Numerically Controlled Grinder) Color Buffer Computer Numerical Control Grinder (CNC Grinder) Crankshaft Grinder Cutlery Grinder Cutter Grinder Cylinder Grinder Deburr Operator Deburr Technician (Deburr Tech) Deburrer Deburring and Tooling Machine Operator Deburring Machine Operator Deburring Technician Dial Buffer Die Maintenance Technician Dinger Disc Sander Disk Grinder Disk Sander Disk Sharpener Double Reamer Operator Dresser Drill Bit Sharpener Drill Grinder Drum Sander Dry Sander Edge Grinder Edger Edging Machine Operator Emery Grinder Emery Wheel Worker Enamel Buffer End Polisher External Grinder Eye Glass Frame Polisher Eyeglass Frames Polisher Faucet Polisher Fender Finisher File Machine Operator Filing Machine Operator Finish Filer Finish Grinder Finish Opener Finisher Flat Polisher Flute Grinder Flute Polisher Gear Finisher Gear Grinder Gear Lapper Gear Lapping Machine Operator Gold Wheel Blocker and Polisher Gold-Nib Grinder Grinder Grinder Machine Operator Grinder Machine Setter Grinder Operator Grinder Set Up Operator Grinder Setup Operator Grinding Machine Operator Grinding Machine Tender Grinding Wheel Dresser Grinding Wheel Facer Grinding Wheel Operator Hob Grinder Honer Honing Job Setter Honing Machine Operator Honing Machine Set-Up Operator Inside Barrel Polisher Instrument Operator Internal Grinder Jet Blade Polisher Jewel Bearing Facer Jewel Bearing Grinder Jewel Bearing Polisher Jig Grinder Set-Up Operator Jig Grinder Setup Operator Job Setter Key Filer Key Sander Knife Blade Polisher Knife Edger Knife Glazer Knife Grinder Knife Sharpener Lap Grinder Lap Machine Tender Lapper Lapping Machine Operator Lapping Machine Set-Up Operator Lawn Mower Sharpener Linter Saw Sharpener Machine Burrer Machine Finisher Machine Grinder Machine Tester Machine Tool Dresser Magnetic Grinder Operator Manufacturing Assistant Manufacturing Associate Manufacturing Operator Metal Buffer Metal Burnisher Metal Burrer Metal Dresser Metal Filer Metal Finisher Metal Furniture Polisher Metal Grinder Metal Polisher Mirror Finishing Machine Operator Mold Cutting Machine Operator Mold Sander Needle Grinder Nicking Machine Operator Notch Grinder OD Grinder (Outside Diameter Grinder) Pallet Rectifier Pattern Filer Pinion Polisher Pivot Maker Plate Grinder Platen Grinder Polisher Polisher and Buffer Polishing Machine Operator Pot Sander Precision Grinder Printing Roller Polisher Process Equipment Operator Production Honing Machine Operator Production Lapping Machine Operator Profile Grinder Technician Rail Grinder Razor Grinder Razor Sharpener Roll Grinder Roll Grinder Operator Sample Grinder Sand Bobber Sand Buffer Sand Polisher Sander Operator Sanding Machine Operator Sanding Machine Tender Satin Finisher Saw Grinder Saw Setter Saw Sharpener Scissors Grinder Scissors Sharpener Scratch Brusher Scratch Finisher Screwhead Polisher Seater Grinder Shear Grinder Operator Shot Grinder Operator Shot Polisher Silver Buffer Silverware Buffer Silverware Buffing Machine Operator Silverware Cleaner Sizing Machine Operator Smoother Snag Grinder Snagger Snailer Steel Buffer Steel Grinder Stone Polisher Stove Polisher Strip Deburrer Surface Grinder Swing Grinder Tap Grinder Thread Grinder Thread Tool Grinder Set-Up Operator Tool Dresser Tool Grinder Tool Honing Machine Set-Up Operator Tool Polisher Tool Polishing Machine Operator Tooth Grinder Tooth Polisher Top Polisher Track Grinder Trimmer Universal Grinder Operator Valve Grinder Watch Case Polisher Watch Parts Grinder Water Sander Wet Sander Wheel Buffer Wheel Grinder Wheel Polisher