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Metal and Plastic Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setter, Operator, or Tender

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Life As a Metal and Plastic Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setter, Operator, or Tender

Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, & Buffing Machine Tool Operator Job Description 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 work pieces.

Life As a Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, & Buffing Machine Tool Operator

  • Inspect or measure finished workpieces to determine conformance to specifications, using measuring instruments, such as gauges or micrometers.
  • Select machine tooling to be used, using knowledge of machine and production requirements.
  • Lift and position workpieces, manually or with hoists, and secure them in hoppers or on machine tables, faceplates, or chucks, using clamps.
  • Set and adjust machine controls according to product specifications, using knowledge of machine operation.
  • Mount and position tools in machine chucks, spindles, or other tool holding devices, using hand tools.
  • Compute machine indexings and settings for specified dimensions and base reference points.

Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, & Buffing Machine Tool Operator Needed Skills

Below is a list of the skills most Metal and Plastic Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders say are important on the job.

Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Troubleshooting: Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.

Types of Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, & Buffing Machine Tool Operator Jobs

  • Jet Blade Polisher
  • Billet Grinder
  • Burnishing Machine Operator
  • Bit Sharpener
  • Razor Grinder

Is There Going to be Demand for Metal and Plastic Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders?

In the United States, there were 76,200 jobs for Metal and Plastic Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setter, Operator, or Tender in 2016. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Metal and Plastic Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setter, Operator, or Tender. There will be an estimated 6,800 positions for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, & Buffing Machine Tool Operator per year.

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The states with the most job growth for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, & Buffing Machine Tool Operator are Idaho, North Dakota, and Arizona. Watch out if you plan on working in Vermont, Colorado, or Kansas. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Average Metal and Plastic Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders Salary

The salary for Metal and Plastic Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders ranges between about $23,960 and $52,170 a year.

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Metal and Plastic Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders who work in Maine, Oregon, or Maryland, make the highest salaries.

How much do Metal and Plastic Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders make in different U.S. states?

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $34,190
Arizona $39,180
Arkansas $34,910
California $34,580
Colorado $32,840
Connecticut $43,350
Delaware $28,230
Florida $32,890
Georgia $34,710
Idaho $28,540
Illinois $38,400
Indiana $37,270
Iowa $35,740
Kansas $35,770
Kentucky $37,440
Louisiana $41,320
Maine $42,950
Maryland $43,200
Massachusetts $41,290
Michigan $37,070
Minnesota $38,390
Mississippi $40,840
Missouri $40,800
Montana $29,350
Nebraska $39,630
Nevada $32,300
New Hampshire $34,950
New Jersey $36,900
New Mexico $26,610
New York $39,010
North Carolina $37,840
North Dakota $40,060
Ohio $34,980
Oklahoma $32,240
Oregon $42,990
Pennsylvania $38,780
Rhode Island $36,110
South Carolina $39,880
South Dakota $35,350
Tennessee $36,870
Texas $32,710
Utah $34,530
Vermont $38,550
Virginia $31,030
Washington $37,890
West Virginia $31,070
Wisconsin $36,800
Wyoming $42,570

What Tools & Technology do Metal and Plastic Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders Use?

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Metal and Plastic Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders may use on a daily basis:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • SAP
  • Microsoft Windows
  • Autodesk AutoCAD
  • Mazak Mazatrol SMART CNC

Becoming a Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, & Buffing Machine Tool Operator

Are there Metal and Plastic Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders education requirements?

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How Long Does it Take to Become a Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, & Buffing Machine Tool Operator?

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Where Metal and Plastic Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders Work

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Metal and Plastic Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders work in the following industries:

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Those interested in being a Metal and Plastic Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setter, Operator, or Tender may also be interested in:

Those who work as a Metal and Plastic Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setter, Operator, or Tender sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:

References:

Image Credit: US Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class John Linzmeier via Public domain

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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