What is a Metal and Plastic Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setter, Operator, or Tender?
Job Description & Duties Set up, operate, or tend lathe and turning machines to turn, bore, thread, form, or face metal or plastic materials, such as wire, rod, or bar stock.
Daily Life Of a Lathe & Turning Machine Tool Operator
- Install holding fixtures, cams, gears, and stops to control stock and tool movement, using hand tools, power tools, and measuring instruments.
- Start lathe or turning machines and observe operations to ensure that specifications are met.
- Mount attachments, such as relieving or tracing attachments, to perform operations, such as duplicating contours of templates or trimming workpieces.
- Crank machines through cycles, stopping to adjust tool positions and machine controls to ensure specified timing, clearances, and tolerances.
- Replace worn tools, and sharpen dull cutting tools and dies, using bench grinders or cutter-grinding machines.
- Inspect sample workpieces to verify conformance with specifications, using instruments such as gauges, micrometers, and dial indicators.
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Qualities of a Lathe & Turning Machine Tool Operator
When polled, Metal and Plastic Lathe and Turning 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.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
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.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Other Lathe & Turning Machine Tool Operator Job Titles
- Spinning Lathe Operator
- Nut Threader
- Hydrotel Operator
- Bell Spinner
- Gun Profiler
Is There Going to be Demand for Metal and Plastic Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders?
There were about 33,700 jobs for Metal and Plastic Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setter, Operator, or Tender in 2016 (in the United States). There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Metal and Plastic Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setter, Operator, or Tender. There will be an estimated 2,900 positions for Lathe & Turning Machine Tool Operator per year.
The states with the most job growth for Lathe & Turning Machine Tool Operator are Alabama, Utah, and Texas. Watch out if you plan on working in Delaware, West Virginia, or Maine. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Lathe & Turning Machine Tool Operator Salary
The salary for Metal and Plastic Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders ranges between about $26,000 and $59,960 a year.
Metal and Plastic Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders who work in Massachusetts, Oregon, or Arizona, make the highest salaries.
How much do Metal and Plastic Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders make in each U.S. state?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $35,440 |
| Arizona | $47,100 |
| Arkansas | $36,310 |
| California | $40,280 |
| Colorado | $34,110 |
| Connecticut | $46,110 |
| Florida | $37,560 |
| Georgia | $36,310 |
| Illinois | $42,540 |
| Indiana | $41,180 |
| Iowa | $41,340 |
| Kansas | $39,560 |
| Kentucky | $43,950 |
| Louisiana | $43,650 |
| Maine | $33,760 |
| Maryland | $36,060 |
| Massachusetts | $50,760 |
| Michigan | $38,830 |
| Minnesota | $41,440 |
| Mississippi | $34,760 |
| Missouri | $42,720 |
| Montana | $31,790 |
| Nebraska | $39,500 |
| Nevada | $41,430 |
| New Hampshire | $38,980 |
| New Jersey | $44,030 |
| New York | $40,720 |
| North Carolina | $47,200 |
| Ohio | $40,190 |
| Oklahoma | $41,100 |
| Oregon | $54,150 |
| Pennsylvania | $41,390 |
| Rhode Island | $44,830 |
| South Carolina | $45,310 |
| South Dakota | $37,310 |
| Tennessee | $36,040 |
| Texas | $40,200 |
| Utah | $47,130 |
| Vermont | $38,570 |
| Virginia | $38,470 |
| Washington | $45,070 |
| West Virginia | $42,270 |
| Wisconsin | $41,710 |
What Tools & Technology do Metal and Plastic Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Metal and Plastic Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders:
- Inventory tracking software
- G-code
- M-code
- Autodesk HSMWorks
How do I Become a Lathe & Turning Machine Tool Operator?
What kind of Metal and Plastic Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setter, Operator, or Tender requirements are there?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Lathe & Turning Machine Tool Operator?
Who Employs Metal and Plastic Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders?
Metal and Plastic Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders work in the following industries:
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those thinking about becoming a Metal and Plastic Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setter, Operator, or Tender might also be interested in the following careers:
Career changers with experience as a Metal and Plastic Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setter, Operator, or Tender sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
- Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
- Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners
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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