DETAILED OCCUPATION DATA
51-4194 Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners
Occupational Description:
Perform precision smoothing, sharpening, polishing, or grinding of metal objects.| Percentiles | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geography | Employment | Emp SE* | Mean | Mean SE* | 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
| Minnesota | 160 | 41 | $19.07/hr | $0.95/hr | $13.85/hr | $15.81/hr | $17.91/hr | $22.49/hr | $26.91/hr |
| U S | 11,950 | 430 | $17.32/hr | $0.17/hr | $10.32/hr | $12.87/hr | $16.71/hr | $21.03/hr | $25.35/hr |
| *SE = Standard error, a measure of the statistical reliability of the estimate. | |||||||||
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| Occupation (click title for details) | OES | Projections | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employment | Median Wage | % Change - | |
| Computer-Controlled Machine Tool Operators, Metal and Plastic | 120 | $16.55/hr | N/A |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | 80 | $15.76/hr | N/A |
| Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, & Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, &Tenders, Metal & Plastic | 70 | $13.56/hr | N/A |
| Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing | 40 | $16.36/hr | N/A |
| Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders | 20 | $19.13/hr | N/A |
Tasks for Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners
- Sets-up, operates, and adjusts grinding or polishing machines to grind metal workpieces, such as dies, parts, and tools.
- Files or finishes surface of workpiece, using prescribed hand tool.
- Selects and mounts grinding wheels on machines, according to specifications, using hand tools and applying knowledge of abrasive and grinding procedures.
- Straightens workpiece and removes dents in workpiece, using straightening press and hammers.
- Computes number, width, and angle of cutting tool, micrometer, scales, and gauges and adjusts tool to produce specified cuts.
- Studies blueprint or layout of metal workpiece to visualize grinding procedure and plan sequences of operations.
- Measures and examines workpiece to verify that dimensions meet specifications.
- Cleans and lubricates machine parts.
- Removes finished workpiece from machine and places in boxes or racks, depending on size of workpiece.
- Inspects dies to detect defects, assess wear, and verify specifications, using micrometers, steel gauge pins, and loupe.
- Fits parts together in preassembly to ensure dimensions are accurate.
- Forms specified section of workpiece and repairs cracks in workpiece, using welding or brazing equipment.
- Removes and replaces machine parts, using hand tools.
- Duplicates workpiece contours, using tracer attachment.
- Places workpiece in electroplating solution or applies pigment to surfaces of workpiece to highlight ridges and grooves.
- Turns valves to direct flow of coolant against cutting wheel and workpiece.
- Examines and feels surface of workpiece to verify grinding meets specifications.
- Observes and listens to machine operation to determine whether adjustments are necessary to ensure workpieces meet specifications.
- Tends machine that grinds, files, or polishes workpiece.
- Dresses grinding wheel, according to specifications.