Occupation · SOC 51-4194
Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners
Perform precision smoothing, sharpening, polishing, or grinding of metal objects.
Median wage
$48,970
$33,770–$74,120
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
5,730
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
160 mapped
Core skills
Operations MonitoringOperation and ControlQuality Control AnalysisEquipment MaintenanceRepairingCritical ThinkingMonitoringTroubleshooting
Knowledge areas
MechanicalMathematicsEnglish Language
Technology & tools
Computer aided manufacturing CAM softwareElectronic mail softwareSpreadsheet softwareComputer aided design CAD and computer aided manufacturing CAM systemData base user interface and query software
Representative tasks
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.Dress grinding wheels, according to specifications.File or finish surfaces of workpieces, using prescribed hand tools.Perform basic maintenance, such as cleaning and lubricating machine parts.Remove finished workpieces from machines and place them in boxes or on racks, setting aside pieces that are defective.Remove and replace worn or broken machine parts, using hand tools.Fit parts together in pre-assembly to ensure that dimensions are accurate.Attach workpieces to grinding machines and form specified sections and repair cracks, using welding or brazing equipment.Duplicate workpiece contours, using tracer attachments.Inspect dies to detect defects, assess wear, and verify specifications, using micrometers, steel gauge pins, and loupes.Place workpieces in electroplating solutions or apply pigments to surfaces of workpieces to highlight ridges and grooves.Straighten workpieces and remove dents, using straightening presses and hammers.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Grinding machine operations — monitor under direct supervision to detect abnormal sounds or vibrations on a production shop floor.Workpiece surfaces and dimensions — inspect visually and by feel using basic gauges under technician guidance in a metal fabrication setting.Simple blueprints and work orders — read and interpret to identify basic grinding sequences with supervisor assistance in a toolroom environment.Grinding wheels — select and mount on designated machines according to written specifications using hand tools under close direction.Coolant flow valves — turn and adjust to direct coolant against cutting wheels and workpieces as instructed during grinding operations.Manual measurement tools such as micrometers and scales — use to verify basic workpiece dimensions under step-by-step guidance.Grinding or polishing machines — operate for straightforward metal workpiece tasks such as deburring parts under a lead operator's oversight.Grinding wheel dressing procedures — perform on standard wheels following a prescribed checklist under direct supervision.Equipment maintenance schedules — follow pre-written checklists to clean and lubricate grinding machines at the start and end of shifts.Electronic mail and spreadsheet software — use to receive job assignments and log basic production data in a manufacturing environment.
developing
Machine operation conditions — monitor routinely across multiple grinding stations and make minor adjustments to speed or feed without prompting.Workpiece surfaces, angles, and tolerances — inspect using calipers, micrometers, and surface gauges to confirm conformance to specifications with limited oversight.Blueprints and layout drawings — study independently to plan grinding procedures and determine operational sequences for familiar part types.Abrasive wheel grades and bond types — select appropriately for different materials and mount securely on machines applying knowledge of grinding procedures.Cutting tool dimensions and angles — compute using scales and standard formulas, then adjust tool settings to produce specified cuts on repeat job types.Coolant systems — regulate flow rates and nozzle positioning to optimize wheel and workpiece cooling across varying grinding conditions.Grinding and polishing machines — set up and operate for a range of metal workpieces including dies and tooling components with minimal supervision.Grinding wheel dressing — execute according to job specifications, selecting appropriate dressing tools to maintain correct wheel profile and finish.Equipment malfunctions — troubleshoot common issues such as wheel glazing or chatter, applying learned diagnostic steps to restore normal operation.CAM software and database interfaces — use to retrieve job parameters and record inspection results in a production tracking system.
proficient
Multi-axis grinding machine operations — monitor across an entire production run, identifying subtle process drift and intervening before defects occur.Complex workpiece geometries — inspect and measure using full range of precision instruments, evaluating surface finish and dimensional accuracy against tight tolerances.Detailed engineering blueprints and CAD outputs — analyze autonomously to develop efficient grinding sequences and setup plans for non-routine or first-article parts.Abrasive selection and wheel specification — determine optimal wheel composition, grit, and structure for uncommon materials or difficult geometries in a toolroom environment.Cutting tool geometry calculations — perform independently for complex angles and compound profiles, adjusting machine parameters to achieve specified cuts on custom tooling.Coolant chemistry and delivery systems — evaluate and optimize to extend wheel life and improve surface quality across varied grinding operations.Grinding and polishing machine setups — configure from scratch for new part families, verifying alignment, speed, and feed parameters before full production runs.Grinding wheel dressing programs — develop and refine for CNC grinding machines to maintain profile accuracy on precision tools and dies.Quality control analysis — conduct root-cause investigations on out-of-tolerance workpieces, recommending and implementing corrective process changes.CAD/CAM and manufacturing software — apply to translate part designs into machine-ready programs, validating outputs against blueprint requirements.
advanced
Production grinding workflows — design and standardize across multiple machine cells to maximize throughput and minimize scrap in a high-volume manufacturing facility.Inspection and measurement protocols — develop and implement shop-wide standards for workpiece verification, ensuring consistent quality across all operators and shifts.Blueprint interpretation training — lead structured instruction for junior grinders on reading technical drawings and planning operational sequences for complex parts.Abrasive and tooling procurement specifications — establish and evaluate vendor qualifications, setting organizational standards for wheel selection and approval.Tooling geometry engineering decisions — advise engineering and production teams on feasibility and optimal parameters for cutting tool designs in new product development.Coolant and grinding fluid programs — direct facility-wide management including selection, maintenance, and disposal in compliance with environmental regulations.Machine capital investment recommendations — assess grinding equipment capabilities and provide justified proposals for new technology adoption to plant leadership.Grinding wheel dressing and truing programs — oversee organization-wide standards development and operator certification for CNC and manual dressing techniques.Continuous improvement initiatives — lead root-cause elimination projects using quality data to reduce defect rates and downtime across the grinding department.Mentorship and workforce development — guide apprentices and developing grinders through structured on-the-job training plans aligned to production competency milestones.
Also known as
69 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
GrinderWorkcell OperatorCutter GrinderSapphire Stylus GrinderGrinder Set-Up Operator, InternalMold Repair SpecialistOD Grinder Operator (Outer Diameter Grinder Operator)Tool Grinder OperatorFinish FilerComputer Numerical Control Grinding Technician (CNC Grinding Technician)Cylinder GrinderPrecision HonerGrinder OperatorDie GrinderSaw StraightenerTool FilerFiler, FinishDie BarberAdvanced Machinery Repairman (Navy U31A)Machinery Repairman Apprentice (Navy 003156)Tool StraightenerDie TrimmerGrinder Operator, ToolCrankshaft GrinderSaw FitterTool Grinding Machine OperatorTool Grinding TechnicianFinisherTool Room Utility SpecialistCard GrinderOuter Diameter Grinder (OD Grinder)Tool DresserAllied Trades Warrant Officer (Army 914A)FilerGrinder Set-Up Operator, UniversalMachinist (Marine Corps 2161)Outer Diameter Technician (OD Technician)Internal Grinder Set-Up OperatorThread GrinderExternal Tool Grinder Operator