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 | 100 | 14 | $19.59/hr | $0.63/hr | $14.73/hr | $16.65/hr | $19.09/hr | $22.74/hr | $25.52/hr |
| U S | 6,440 | 335 | $20.48/hr | $0.33/hr | $12.20/hr | $15.32/hr | $19.19/hr | $24.94/hr | $30.19/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 2023 - 2025 | |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | 5,400 | $20.74/hr | -0.5% |
| Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, & Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, &Tenders, Metal & Plastic | 2,720 | $18.44/hr | -0.4% |
| Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders | 430 | $18.07/hr | -0.2% |
| Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders | 420 | $21.89/hr | 1.9% |
| Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | 320 | $16.67/hr | -3.9% |
| Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic | 80 | $26.99/hr | 0.0% |
| Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing | N/A | $17.50/hr | 0.8% |
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.
