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Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
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.
Other titles employers use
Cell Operator · Centerless Grinder Operator · Deburrer · Die Maintenance Technician · Finisher · Grinder · Grinder Operator · Grinding Machine Operator
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- Inspect or measure finished workpieces to determine conformance to specifications, using measuring instruments, such as gauges or micrometers.
- Measure workpieces and lay out work, using precision measuring devices.
- Observe machine operations to detect any problems, making necessary adjustments to correct problems.
- Move machine controls to index workpieces, and to adjust machines for pre-selected operational settings.
- Study blueprints, work orders, or machining instructions to determine product specifications, tool requirements, and operational sequences.
- Select machine tooling to be used, using knowledge of machine and production requirements.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to practical and organizing work.
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Operations Monitoring
- Operation and Control
- Quality Control Analysis
- Reading Comprehension
- Monitoring
- Speaking
Subjects to know
- Production and Processing
Useful strengths
- Control Precision
- Manual Dexterity
- Near Vision
- Problem Sensitivity
- Reaction Time
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 3.2 | Shared rooms, but not shoulder to shoulder |
| On your feet | 4.1 | Standing or moving for most of it |
| Talking face to face | 3.9 | A regular part of the day |
| Working with your hands | 4.9 | Handling tools, instruments or materials |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a high school diploma. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- High school or less 82%
- A certificate or some college 18%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
- Operating system software
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software
- Inventory management software
- Industrial control software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 7,500
- Job openings each year
- 760
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- −8.5%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 7,500 | 760 | −8.5% |
| Ohio | 6,630 | 650 | −12.3% |
| Illinois | 5,300 | 540 | −5.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 3,980 | 400 | −7.9% |
| Michigan | 3,840 | 380 | −11.3% |
| Indiana | 3,680 | 370 | −6.4% |
| Texas | 3,640 | 380 | — |
| Wisconsin | 3,620 | 380 | −2.4% |
| Alabama | 2,300 | 240 | −2.1% |
| North Carolina | 2,070 | 220 | −1.4% |
| New York | 1,960 | 0 | −14.0% |
| Connecticut | 1,780 | 180 | −4.8% |
| Minnesota | 1,690 | 180 | −4.5% |
| South Carolina | 1,640 | 170 | −1.2% |
| Washington | 1,630 | 180 | 3.2% |
| Oregon | 1,350 | 150 | 12.5% |
| Tennessee | 1,230 | 130 | −3.1% |
| Georgia | 1,200 | 130 | 6.2% |
| Arizona | 1,150 | 120 | — |
| New Jersey | 1,110 | 120 | −3.5% |
| Florida | 890 | 90 | 1.1% |
| Iowa | 850 | 90 | 1.2% |
| Kansas | 830 | 90 | −5.7% |
| Missouri | 750 | 80 | −6.3% |
| Kentucky | 650 | 70 | −3.0% |
| Massachusetts | 650 | 70 | −8.5% |
| New Hampshire | 620 | 60 | −6.1% |
| Arkansas | 560 | 60 | −3.4% |
| Mississippi | 510 | 50 | 2.0% |
| Colorado | 500 | 50 | −5.7% |
| Utah | 490 | 50 | 6.5% |
| Oklahoma | 470 | 50 | −9.6% |
| Virginia | 380 | 40 | −9.5% |
| Nevada | 250 | 30 | 8.7% |
| South Dakota | 220 | 20 | — |
| Rhode Island | 200 | 20 | −9.1% |
| Vermont | 190 | 20 | −9.5% |
| Idaho | 170 | 20 | 13.3% |
| Maine | 160 | 20 | −11.1% |
| Maryland | 140 | 10 | −6.7% |
| Montana | 140 | 20 | — |
| Nebraska | 140 | 10 | — |
| West Virginia | 110 | 10 | — |
| Delaware | 100 | 10 | — |
| New Mexico | 70 | 10 | — |
| Louisiana | 40 | 0 | — |
| Wyoming | 20 | 0 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.