Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand

Grind, sand, or polish, using hand tools or hand-held power tools, a variety of metal, wood, stone, clay, plastic, or glass objects. Includes chippers, buffers, and finishers.

Median Annual Wage: $28,340

Projected Growth: Decline (-3% or lower)

Related Job Titles: Finisher; Grinder Operator; Metal Finisher; Grinder; Polisher; Jewelry Polisher; Buffer; Casting Finisher; Knife Grinder; Production Cell Operator

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Source: O*NET OnLine information for Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand.

More Production Careers

  • Mark defects such as knotholes, cracks, and splits for repair.
  • Move controls to adjust, start, or stop equipment during grinding and polishing processes.
  • Select files or other abrasives, according to materials, sizes and shapes of workpieces, amount of stock to be removed, finishes specified, and steps in finishing processes.
  • Measure and mark equipment, objects, or parts to ensure grinding and polishing standards are met.
  • Verify quality of finished workpieces by inspecting them, comparing them to templates, measuring their dimensions, or testing them in working machinery.
  • Record product and processing data on specified forms.
  • Trim, scrape, or deburr objects or parts, using chisels, scrapers, and other hand tools and equipment.
  • Remove completed workpieces from equipment or work tables, using hand tools, and place workpieces in containers.
  • Load and adjust workpieces onto equipment or work tables, using hand tools.
  • Transfer equipment, objects, or parts to specified work areas, using moving devices.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand.

  • Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • Repairing - Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
  • Equipment Maintenance - Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
  • Equipment Selection - Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
  • 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.
  • Troubleshooting - Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
  • Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • 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.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand.

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