Tool Grinders, Filers, & Sharpeners
Perform precision smoothing, sharpening, polishing, or grinding of metal objects.
Technology Tools
Key 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.
- Select and mount grinding wheels on machines, according to specifications, using hand tools and applying knowledge of abrasives and grinding procedures.
- Study blueprints or layouts of metal workpieces to determine grinding procedures, and to plan machine setups and operational sequences.
- Compute numbers, widths, and angles of cutting tools, micrometers, scales, and gauges, and adjust tools to produce specified cuts.
- Set up and operate grinding or polishing machines to grind metal workpieces, such as dies, parts, and tools.
- Turn valves to direct flow of coolant against cutting wheels and workpieces during grinding.
- Dress grinding wheels, according to specifications.
- 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.
- Fit parts together in pre-assembly to ensure that dimensions are accurate.
- File or finish surfaces of workpieces, using prescribed hand tools.
- Attach workpieces to grinding machines and form specified sections and repair cracks, using welding or brazing equipment.
- Remove and replace worn or broken machine parts, using hand tools.
- Inspect dies to detect defects, assess wear, and verify specifications, using micrometers, steel gauge pins, and loupes.
- Duplicate workpiece contours, using tracer attachments.
- 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.
Skills
Knowledge
Build a Resume for Tool Grinders, Filers, & Sharpeners
Create a professional, ATS-optimized resume tailored to this career path.
Abilities
Work Activities
Work Context
Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
How often does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats or life-jackets?
100%
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
98%
Spend Time Standing
How much does this job require standing?
92%
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
90%
Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
How frequently does your job require face-to-face discussions with individuals and within teams?
87%
Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment
How important is it to this job that the pace is determined by the speed of equipment or machinery? (This does not refer to keeping busy at all times on this job.)
78%
Exposed to Contaminants
How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?
77%
Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions
How much does this job require making repetitive motions?
77%
Time Pressure
How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?
76%
Duration of Typical Work Week
Number of hours typically worked in one week.
74%
Health and Safety of Other Workers
How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?
74%
Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
How important is it to work with or contribute to a work group or team in this job?
74%
Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings
How often does this job require exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings?
72%
Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
How much freedom does the worker have in determining the tasks, priorities, or goals of the job?
69%
Freedom to Make Decisions
How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
69%
Frequency of Decision Making
How often is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
69%
Exposed to Hazardous Equipment
How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment?
67%
Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled
How often does this job require working in an environment that is not environmentally controlled (like a warehouse without air conditioning)?
67%
Contact With Others
How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
66%
Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities
How important is it to coordinate or lead others (not as a supervisor or team leader) in accomplishing work activities in this job?
66%
Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable
How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?
65%
Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results
What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?
60%
Spend Time Walking or Running
How much does this job require walking or running?
59%
Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers
How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?
59%
Level of Competition
To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures?
57%
Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body
How much does this job require bending or twisting your body?
56%
Physical Proximity
To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks physically close to other people?
47%
Importance of Repeating Same Tasks
How important are continuous, repetitive, physical activities (like key entry) or mental activities (like checking entries in a ledger) to performing this job?
45%
Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures
How often does this job require working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32 F degrees) temperatures?
42%
Consequence of Error
How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not easily correctable?
41%
Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People
How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements?
39%
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
How often does this job require working indoors in an environmentally controlled environment (like a warehouse with air conditioning)?
38%
Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions
How often does this job require working in extremely bright or inadequate lighting conditions?
37%
Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling
How much does this job require kneeling, crouching, stooping or crawling?
37%
Conflict Situations
How frequently are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job?
36%
Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection
How often does this job require wearing specialized protective or safety equipment such as breathing apparatus, safety harness, full protection suits, or radiation protection?
35%
Exposed to Hazardous Conditions
How often does this job require exposure to hazardous conditions?
31%
Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions
How often does this job require working in cramped work spaces that requires getting into awkward positions?
30%
Telephone Conversations
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
30%
Degree of Automation
How automated is the job?
29%
Exposed to Whole Body Vibration
How often does this job require exposure to whole body vibration (like operating a jackhammer or earth moving equipment)?
29%
Deal With External Customers or the Public in General
How important is it to deal with external customers (as in retail sales) or the public in general (as in police work) in this job?
28%
Written Letters and Memos
How frequently does your job require written letters and memos?
26%
How frequently does your job require you to use E-mail?
24%
Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions
How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?
23%
Spend Time Keeping or Regaining Balance
How much does this job require keeping or regaining your balance?
17%
Work Schedules
How regular are the work schedules for this job?
17%
Public Speaking
How frequently does your job require public speaking (one speaker with an audience)?
14%
Spend Time Sitting
How much does this job require sitting?
13%
In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment
How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or operate enclosed equipment (like a car)?
12%
Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles
How much does this job require climbing ladders, scaffolds, poles, etc.?
9%
In an Open Vehicle or Operating Equipment
How often does this job require working in an open vehicle or operating equipment (like a tractor)?
8%
Exposed to High Places
How often does this job require exposure to high places?
6%
Dealing with Violent or Physically Aggressive People
How frequently does this job require the worker to deal with physical aggression of violent individuals?
3%
Exposed to Disease or Infections
How often does this job require exposure to disease/infections?
0%
Exposed to Radiation
How often does this job require exposure to radiation?
0%
Outdoors, Under Cover
How often does this job require working outdoors, under cover (like in an open shed)?
0%
Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Post-secondary certificate
Less than high school diploma
Interests
Realistic
Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, t
Conventional
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or hum
Investigative
Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the f
Artistic
Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts,
Enterprising
Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertis
Social
Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.
Work Styles
Work Values
Ready to pursue a career as Tool Grinders, Filers, & Sharpeners?
Create a professional resume that highlights the right skills and experience for this role.
Build Your Resume Now