Career summary

Details for Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand


Description

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

Tasks

  • Grind, sand, clean, or polish objects or parts to correct defects or to prepare surfaces for further finishing, using hand tools and power tools.
  • 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.
  • Study blueprints or layouts to determine how to lay out workpieces or saw out templates.
  • Apply solutions and chemicals to equipment, objects, or parts, using hand tools.
  • Spread emery powder or other polishing compounds on stone, or wet stone surfaces with hoses, and guide buffing wheels over stone to polish surfaces.
  • Wash grit from stone, using hoses.
  • Repair and maintain equipment, objects, or parts, using hand tools.
  • Sharpen abrasive grinding tools, using machines and hand tools.
  • File grooved, contoured, and irregular surfaces of metal objects, such as metalworking dies and machine parts, to conform to templates, other parts, layouts, or blueprint specifications.
  • Fill cracks or imperfections in marble with wax that matches the stone color.
  • Clean brass particles from files by drawing file cards through file grooves.

Interests

  • Realistic - Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
  • Conventional - Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Education, training, experience

  • Education - Some of these occupations may require a high school diploma or GED certificate.
  • Training - Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few days to a few months of training. Usually, an experienced worker could show you how to do the job.
  • Experience - Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, a person can become a waiter or waitress even if he/she has never worked before.

Knowledge

None found.

Skills

None found.

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