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Career Exploration

Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners

Also called: Grinder, Grinder Operator, Saw Filer, Tool Grinder

What they do:

Perform precision smoothing, sharpening, polishing, or grinding of metal objects.

On the job, you would:
  • 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.
On the job, you'll need:

Engineering and Technology

  • mechanical

Math and Science

  • arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Basic Skills

  • thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem
  • keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Hand and Finger Use

  • keep your arm or hand steady
  • hold or move items with your hands

Controlled Movement

  • quickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat
  • change when and how fast you move based on how something else is moving

Attention

  • pay attention to something without being distracted

Visual Understanding

  • quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things

Realistic

People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.

  • Attention to Detail
  • Dependability
  • Independence
  • Adaptability/Flexibility
  • Cooperation
  • Analytical Thinking

Computer aided manufacturing CAM software

  • ANCA ToolRoom
  • Dassault Systemes SolidWorks

Spreadsheet software

  • Microsoft Excel

Electronic mail software

  • IBM Lotus Notes

Job Outlook

The job outlook for this position is Below Average.

New job opportunities are less likely in the future.

Median Annual Salary: $41,940

Education

High school diploma/GED or certificate after high school is usually needed.