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.
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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.

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.

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?

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

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

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

Related Careers
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:
- Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers
- Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing
- Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders
- Machinists
References:
Image Credit: US Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class John Linzmeier via Public domain
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