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Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners
Perform precision smoothing, sharpening, polishing, or grinding of metal objects.
Other titles employers use
Cutter Grinder · Finisher · Grinder · Grinder Operator · OD Grinder Operator (Outer Diameter Grinder Operator) · Saw Filer · Tool and Cutter Grinder · Tool Grinder
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- Monitor machine operations to determine whether adjustments are necessary, stopping machines when problems occur.
- Inspect, feel, and measure workpieces to ensure that surfaces and dimensions meet specifications.
- Study blueprints or layouts of metal workpieces to determine grinding procedures, and to plan machine setups and operational sequences.
- Select and mount grinding wheels on machines, according to specifications, using hand tools and applying knowledge of abrasives and grinding procedures.
- Compute numbers, widths, and angles of cutting tools, micrometers, scales, and gauges, and adjust tools to produce specified cuts.
- Turn valves to direct flow of coolant against cutting wheels and workpieces during grinding.
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
- Equipment Maintenance
- Repairing
- Critical Thinking
Subjects to know
- Mechanical
- Mathematics
- English Language
Useful strengths
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Manual Dexterity
- Finger Dexterity
- Control Precision
- Near Vision
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 | 2.9 | Largely your own space |
| On your feet | 4.7 | Standing or moving for most of it |
| Talking face to face | 4.5 | 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 58%
- A certificate or some college 36%
- A two-year degree 6%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Computer aided manufacturing CAM software
- Spreadsheet software
- Electronic mail software
- Computer aided design CAD and computer aided manufacturing CAM system
- Data base user interface and query 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
- 430
- Job openings each year
- 40
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- −6.5%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | 430 | 40 | −6.5% |
| Michigan | 330 | 30 | −13.2% |
| Washington | 320 | 30 | — |
| New York | 270 | 0 | −3.6% |
| Alabama | 250 | 20 | 4.2% |
| Texas | 230 | 20 | 9.5% |
| North Carolina | 220 | 20 | — |
| Mississippi | 200 | 20 | −9.1% |
| Florida | 180 | 20 | 5.9% |
| Missouri | 180 | 20 | −5.3% |
| Wisconsin | 160 | 10 | −5.9% |
| Arkansas | 140 | 10 | −6.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 140 | 10 | −6.7% |
| Virginia | 140 | 10 | — |
| Kansas | 120 | 10 | −7.7% |
| Oklahoma | 110 | 10 | — |
| Colorado | 100 | 10 | — |
| Indiana | 90 | 10 | −10.0% |
| Iowa | 80 | 10 | −11.1% |
| Ohio | 80 | 10 | −20.0% |
| Idaho | 70 | 10 | — |
| Tennessee | 70 | 10 | −12.5% |
| Louisiana | 60 | 10 | — |
| Minnesota | 60 | 10 | −14.3% |
| South Carolina | 50 | 10 | — |
| Illinois | 40 | 0 | — |
| Montana | 40 | 0 | — |
| New Hampshire | 40 | 0 | — |
| Nebraska | 30 | 0 | 50.0% |
| Maine | 10 | 0 | — |
| New Jersey | 10 | 0 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
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Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
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