What is a Metal and Plastic Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setter, Operator, or Tender?
Example of Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, & Buffing Machine Tool Operator Job Set up, operate, or tend grinding and related tools that remove excess material or burrs from surfaces, sharpen edges or corners, or buff, hone, or polish metal or plastic work pieces.
List of Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, & Buffing Machine Tool Operator Job Duties
- Study blueprints, work orders, or machining instructions to determine product specifications, tool requirements, and operational sequences.
- Slide spacers between buffs on spindles to set spacing.
- Mount and position tools in machine chucks, spindles, or other tool holding devices, using hand tools.
- Lift and position workpieces, manually or with hoists, and secure them in hoppers or on machine tables, faceplates, or chucks, using clamps.
- Adjust air cylinders and setting stops to set traverse lengths and feed arm strokes.
- Maintain stocks of machine parts and machining tools.
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Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, & Buffing Machine Tool Operator Required Skills
When polled, Metal and Plastic Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Troubleshooting: Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Related Job Titles
- Band Saw Filer
- Magnetic Grinder Operator
- Honing Job Setter
- Key Filer
- File Machine Operator
Are There Job Opportunities for Metal and Plastic Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 76,200 jobs in the United States for Metal and Plastic Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setter, Operator, or Tender. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Metal and Plastic Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setter, Operator, or Tender. The BLS estimates 6,800 yearly job openings in this field.

The states with the most job growth for Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, & Buffing Machine Tool Operator are Idaho, North Dakota, and Arizona. Watch out if you plan on working in Vermont, Colorado, or Kansas. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Average Metal and Plastic Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders Salary
The salary for Metal and Plastic Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders ranges between about $23,960 and $52,170 a year.

Metal and Plastic Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders who work in Maine, Oregon, or Maryland, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Metal and Plastic Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders in different U.S. states.
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $34,190 |
Arizona | $39,180 |
Arkansas | $34,910 |
California | $34,580 |
Colorado | $32,840 |
Connecticut | $43,350 |
Delaware | $28,230 |
Florida | $32,890 |
Georgia | $34,710 |
Idaho | $28,540 |
Illinois | $38,400 |
Indiana | $37,270 |
Iowa | $35,740 |
Kansas | $35,770 |
Kentucky | $37,440 |
Louisiana | $41,320 |
Maine | $42,950 |
Maryland | $43,200 |
Massachusetts | $41,290 |
Michigan | $37,070 |
Minnesota | $38,390 |
Mississippi | $40,840 |
Missouri | $40,800 |
Montana | $29,350 |
Nebraska | $39,630 |
Nevada | $32,300 |
New Hampshire | $34,950 |
New Jersey | $36,900 |
New Mexico | $26,610 |
New York | $39,010 |
North Carolina | $37,840 |
North Dakota | $40,060 |
Ohio | $34,980 |
Oklahoma | $32,240 |
Oregon | $42,990 |
Pennsylvania | $38,780 |
Rhode Island | $36,110 |
South Carolina | $39,880 |
South Dakota | $35,350 |
Tennessee | $36,870 |
Texas | $32,710 |
Utah | $34,530 |
Vermont | $38,550 |
Virginia | $31,030 |
Washington | $37,890 |
West Virginia | $31,070 |
Wisconsin | $36,800 |
Wyoming | $42,570 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Metal and Plastic Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Metal and Plastic Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- SAP
- Microsoft Windows
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Mazak Mazatrol SMART CNC
How to Become a Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, & Buffing Machine Tool Operator
Individuals working as a Metal and Plastic Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setter, Operator, or Tender have obtained the following education levels:

How many years of work experience do I need?

Who Employs Metal and Plastic Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders?

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

Similar Careers
Those thinking about becoming a Metal and Plastic Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setter, Operator, or Tender might also be interested in the following careers:
Career changers with experience as a Metal and Plastic Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setter, Operator, or Tender sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
- Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers
- Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing
- Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders
- Machinists
References:
Image Credit: US Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class John Linzmeier via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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