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.

From people doing the work

Day-to-day involves setting up and running lathes, constantly checking part dimensions with micrometers and calipers. It's a hands-on job where precision is key, and you're always problem-solving to get the perfect cut. Sometimes it's repetitive, but there's satisfaction in seeing raw material become a finished, accurate part.

Drawn from Practical Machinist forum discussions, NTMA member insights, r/Machinists discussions

Attribution: Composite

Composite · Synthesised from Practical Machinist forum discussions, NTMA member insights, r/Machinists discussions

A day in the life of Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

People interaction
Extensive
Team vs solo
70% Team / 30% Solo
Client facing
Sometimes
Impact visibility
Moderate
Travel
Minimal
Schedule flexibility
Rigid
Remote work
On-site Only
Typical work hours
40-50
Stress level
Moderate

Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic salary, education and outlook at a glance

Median salary
$48,620
Entry-level
$36,000
Senior
$68,000
Growth by 2033
-13.6%
Demand
Declining
Freelance potential
Low
Salary growth potential
89%
Typical student debt
Moderate

Skills you need as Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Hard skills

  • Production and Processing
  • Operations Monitoring
  • Mechanical

Soft skills

  • Judgment and Decision Making
  • Coordination
  • Active Listening

Technical complexity: Low

Tools of the trade

Core tools

  • CNC Lathe (Hardware): Automated precision turning of metal and plastic workpieces.
  • Manual Lathe (Hardware): Versatile machine for various turning operations, often used for custom or small-batch work.
  • Turning Inserts (Hardware): Replaceable cutting tools used in lathes for material removal.
  • Micrometer (Hardware): Precision measuring instrument for checking workpiece dimensions.

Commonly used

  • Calipers (Hardware): Measuring instrument for internal, external, and depth measurements.
  • CAD/CAM Software (Software): Used for designing parts and generating machine code for CNC lathes.
  • Coolant Systems (Hardware): Delivers fluid to the cutting zone to reduce heat and lubricate.

How to become Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Minimum education
High School Diploma
Licensing
No
Years to mid-career
3-5
Years to senior
8-12
Career switching
Moderate

Where this career leads

How people arrive here

  • Machine Operator: Individuals with general machine operating experience can transition to specialized lathe and turning operations.
  • Fabricator: Experience in metal fabrication provides a foundational understanding of material properties and shaping techniques.
  • Welder: Welders possess skills in metal manipulation and understanding of material stress, which are transferable.

Where you can go from here

  • Machinist: Advancing to a general machinist role involves operating a wider range of machine tools and performing more complex tasks.
  • Tool and Die Maker: With further training, lathe operators can move into creating precision tools and dies.
  • CNC Programmer: Developing programming skills allows for a transition into creating the code that controls CNC machines.
  • Quality Control Inspector: Expertise in precision measurement and part specifications makes this a natural progression.

Typical progression

  1. Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
  2. Machinists
  3. Tool and Die Makers
  4. or Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic job outlook and future demand

Automation probability
High
AI disruption risk
Moderate
Demand trend
Declining

Job satisfaction as Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Overall satisfaction
5.8/10
Meaning
5/10
Work-life balance
6/10
Prestige
4/10
Social perception
Low

Where practitioners gather

Professional organisations

Podcasts and media

  • Modern Machine Shop: A publication providing information on metalworking technology and manufacturing processes.

Reddit communities

  • r/Machinists: A subreddit for machinists to share knowledge, ask questions, and discuss their trade.

Online communities

  • Practical Machinist: An online forum for machinists to discuss techniques, tools, and projects.

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