Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners

Career Overview

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

Also Known As

Grinder
Grinder Operator
Saw Filer
Tool Grinder

Alternate Job Titles

Card Grinder
Computer Numerical Control Grinding Technician (CNC Grinding Technician)
Crankshaft Grinder
Cutter Grind Tool Technician
Cutter Grinder
Cutting Tool Sharpener
Cylinder Grinder
Deburrer
Die Barber
Die Fitter
Die Grinder
Die Polisher
Die Reamer
Die Sharpener
Die Trimmer

What You'll Do

In this role, your typical responsibilities include:

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.
Set up and operate grinding or polishing machines to grind metal workpieces, such as dies, parts, and tools.

Knowledge You'll Use

You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:

Mechanical

Essential Skills

Success in this career requires strong skills in:

Operations Monitoring
Operation and Control

Key Abilities

This career requires key abilities in:

Arm-Hand Steadiness
Manual Dexterity
Finger Dexterity
Control Precision
Near Vision
Selective Attention
Visualization
Problem Sensitivity
Perceptual Speed
Flexibility of Closure

Work Style

People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:

Attention to Detail
Dependability
Cautiousness
Achievement Orientation
Perseverance

What Matters in This Career

This career tends to satisfy these work values:

Support
Independence
Working Conditions
Achievement
Recognition

Education & Preparation

Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)

On-the-Job Training: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months

Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.

Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.

Technology You'll Use

Popular Technologies & Software

Dassault Systemes SolidWorks
Microsoft Excel

Tools & Equipment

Air pressure gauges
Automatic metalworking lathes
Bench grinding wheels
Computer numerically controlled CNC grinders
Counterbores
Cutter grinders
Dial bore gauges
Dial indicators
Digital angle gauges
Digital calipers
Digital micrometers
Digital radius gauges
Drill grinders
Fixed overhead cranes
Gauge block sets

Work Environment

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
Spend Time Standing
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams

Salary & Job Market

Salary Percentile	Annual Wage
Entry-Level (10th percentile)	$33,770
Median	$48,970
Top Earners (90th percentile)	$74,120

Workers Employed Nationally: 5,730