Occupation · SOC 51-4034
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
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.
Median wage
$48,620
$36,200–$65,450
Projected growth
-13.2%
Declining
Annual openings
-260
per year
Employed (US)
18,970
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
217 mapped
Core skills
Operations MonitoringOperation and ControlReading ComprehensionActive ListeningMonitoringEquipment MaintenanceQuality Control Analysis
Knowledge areas
Production and ProcessingMechanicalEngineering and TechnologyEducation and TrainingAdministration and Management
Technology & tools
Industrial control softwareObject or component oriented development softwareInventory management software
Representative tasks
Adjust machine controls and change tool settings to keep dimensions within specified tolerances.Move controls to set cutting speeds and depths and feed rates, and to position tools in relation to workpieces.Study blueprints, layouts or charts, and job orders for information on specifications and tooling instructions, and to determine material requirements and operational sequences.Inspect sample workpieces to verify conformance with specifications, using instruments such as gauges, micrometers, and dial indicators.Replace worn tools, and sharpen dull cutting tools and dies, using bench grinders or cutter-grinding machines.Move toolholders manually or by turning handwheels, or engage automatic feeding mechanisms to feed tools to and along workpieces.Compute unspecified dimensions and machine settings, using knowledge of metal properties and shop mathematics.Crank machines through cycles, stopping to adjust tool positions and machine controls to ensure specified timing, clearances, and tolerances.Position, secure, and align cutting tools in toolholders on machines, using hand tools, and verify their positions with measuring instruments.Start lathe or turning machines and observe operations to ensure that specifications are met.Program computer numerical control machines.Refill, change, and monitor the level of fluids, such as oil and coolant, in machines.Clean work area.Lift metal stock or workpieces manually or using hoists, and position and secure them in machines, using fasteners and hand tools.Install holding fixtures, cams, gears, and stops to control stock and tool movement, using hand tools, power tools, and measuring instruments.Select cutting tools and tooling instructions, according to written specifications or knowledge of metal properties and shop mathematics.Mount attachments, such as relieving or tracing attachments, to perform operations, such as duplicating contours of templates or trimming workpieces.Turn valve handles to direct the flow of coolant onto work areas or to coat disks with spinning compounds.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Machine controls and basic settings — identify and adjust under direct supervisor guidance on a production lathe to maintain initial dimensional tolerances.Cutting speeds, depths, and feed rates — set by moving controls as directed, following written setup sheets on a standard turning machine.Blueprints and job orders — read and interpret basic specifications under supervision to determine material requirements before starting a turning operation.Sample workpieces — inspect using gauges and micrometers under close direction to check conformance with dimensional specifications.Worn or dull cutting tools — recognize and report to a lead operator, assisting with replacement on a bench grinder under guidance.Tool holders and handwheels — move manually as instructed to position cutting tools along workpieces during a supervised setup cycle.Basic shop mathematics — apply with assistance to calculate simple dimensions and verify machine settings before initiating a turning cycle.Machine cycles — crank through basic sequences with a supervisor present, stopping at designated points to confirm tool position and clearances.Personal protective equipment and machine guarding — use and verify consistently at the start of each shift on a metal or plastic turning line.Inventory management software — navigate basic screens to locate material records and log completed part counts under direct instruction.
developing
Machine controls and tool settings — adjust independently between production runs to maintain specified tolerances on a variety of turned metal and plastic workpieces.Cutting speed, depth, and feed rate parameters — select and set with limited oversight based on job order specifications and material type on a turning center.Blueprints, layout charts, and job orders — study and translate into correct operational sequences and tooling setups without direct supervision.Dimensional inspection — conduct routinely using micrometers, dial indicators, and gauges, logging results and flagging out-of-tolerance parts for review.Dull cutting tools and dies — sharpen and replace using bench grinders or cutter-grinding machines following established maintenance schedules.Automatic feeding mechanisms — engage and monitor during continuous production runs, adjusting feed paths as workpiece requirements change.Unspecified dimensions and machine settings — compute using shop mathematics and knowledge of metal and plastic properties for standard job configurations.Machine cycle timing and clearances — verify by cranking through cycles and making incremental control adjustments to achieve repeatable tolerance results.Operations monitoring practices — apply systematically throughout a shift to detect machine anomalies and initiate corrective action before scrap is produced.Industrial control software — use to retrieve program parameters, record production data, and make approved setting changes on CNC-assisted turning equipment.
proficient
Complex machine adjustments and multi-tool setups — execute autonomously across a full range of lathe configurations to hold tight tolerances on non-standard workpieces.Cutting parameters for difficult materials — determine and program independently, applying advanced knowledge of metal and plastic properties to optimize cycle time and tool life.Multi-step job orders and engineering drawings — interpret fully without assistance, resolving specification ambiguities and establishing complete operational sequences for the shop floor.Full-cycle quality control analysis — perform using precision instruments and statistical sampling methods, identifying root causes of dimensional variation and implementing corrections.Tooling maintenance program — manage across multiple machines, scheduling sharpening and replacement cycles to minimize downtime while sustaining part quality.Manual and automated feeding mechanisms — troubleshoot and optimize for complex workpiece geometries, achieving consistent surface finish and dimensional accuracy.Non-routine dimensional calculations — solve using engineering mathematics and visualization of three-dimensional part geometry for custom or first-article turning jobs.Machine cycle anomalies and timing deviations — diagnose during operation and correct tool positions and control settings to restore specified clearances and tolerances.Equipment maintenance requirements — assess proactively, coordinating with maintenance personnel and documenting findings in inventory and maintenance management systems.Operator performance issues — identify through production monitoring and provide on-the-spot technical coaching to less experienced setters and tenders on the line.
advanced
Production standards and tolerance specifications — establish and refine at the organizational level, translating engineering requirements into shop-floor setup procedures for lathe and turning operations.Machine control and tooling strategies — lead evaluation and selection of cutting parameters, tool materials, and feeds across the department to maximize output and minimize scrap.Blueprint and specification review processes — oversee for the work group, ensuring all operators correctly interpret job orders and escalating drawing discrepancies to engineering.Quality assurance systems — design and champion department-wide inspection protocols, driving continuous improvement in dimensional conformance across metal and plastic turning lines.Tooling and maintenance programs — develop and implement preventive maintenance schedules and tooling standards that sustain equipment reliability across a multi-machine production environment.Advanced feeding and automation capabilities — lead assessment and integration of automated feed mechanisms and CNC enhancements to improve throughput and reduce operator fatigue.Shop mathematics and process engineering knowledge — apply at a strategic level to develop training curricula and standard operating procedures for new and experienced turning machine operators.Process troubleshooting methodology — institutionalize a structured approach to diagnosing cycle, clearance, and tolerance failures, reducing repeat defects across the production floor.Industrial control and inventory management software — direct configuration, standardization, and training across the department to ensure accurate production tracking and data integrity.Workforce development and skills progression — mentor setters, operators, and tenders at all experience levels, building a capable and safety-conscious turning machine team aligned with organizational goals.
Also known as
169 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
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