SOUTH AFRICA · SALARY IN RANDS

Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners

What the work involves, the skills employers want, and how to get started in South Africa.

  • Cutter Grinder
  • Finisher
  • Grinder
  • Grinder Operator
  • OD Grinder Operator (Outer Diameter Grinder Operator)
  • Saw Filer
  • Tool and Cutter Grinder
  • Tool Grinder

What is a Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpener?

Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners are skilled tradespeople who specialize in shaping and maintaining the edges of cutting tools and implements used in various industries, including manufacturing, construction, and repair. Their primary role is to ensure tools are effective and efficient, which often involves using specialized machines and hand tools to grind, sharpen, and polish tools such as blades, chisels, drill bits, and other sharp instruments. These professionals possess a deep understanding of different materials and the properties of various tools, allowing them to select the appropriate techniques and tools for grinding and sharpening. Maintenance and precision are key aspects of their work, enabling machines and tools to perform optimally and extend their lifespan. Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners work in a variety of settings, from manufacturing plants and machine shops to small repair shops, and play a crucial role in ensuring safety and effectiveness in various mechanical applications.

What the work actually is

  • 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.

Skills employers expect

Skills

  • Operations Monitoring Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • Operation and Control Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
  • Quality Control Analysis Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
  • Equipment Maintenance Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
  • Repairing Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.

Abilities

  • Arm-Hand Steadiness The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
  • Control Precision The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
  • Finger Dexterity The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
  • Manual Dexterity The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
  • Near Vision The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Knowledge

  • Mechanical Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  • Mathematics Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • English Language Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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How people get into it

Education of new hires

High school diploma or equivalent
or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate
Post-secondary certificate
Awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in Personnel Services, Engineering-related Technologies, Vocational Home Economics, Construction Trades, Mechanics and Repairers, Precision Production Trades)
Less than high school diploma

A normal week

  • Controlling Machines and Processes
  • Getting Information
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
  • Handling and Moving Objects
  • Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work

Tools used on the job

Technology

  • Computer aided manufacturing CAM software ANCA ToolRoom · Dassault Systemes SolidWorks
  • Spreadsheet software Microsoft Excel
  • Electronic mail software IBM Lotus Notes
  • Computer aided design CAD and computer aided manufacturing CAM system Vero Software Edgecam
  • Data base user interface and query software Zoller

Tools

  • Power grinders Computer numerically controlled CNC grinders · Cutter grinders · Drill grinders
  • Calipers Digital calipers · Vernier calipers
  • Dial indicator or dial gauge Dial indicators
  • Bench grinder Industrial bench grinders
  • Micrometers Digital micrometers

Who it suits

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, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

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 human resources.

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Questions people ask

How much do Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners earn in South Africa?

Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners salaries in South Africa vary by experience, province and employer.

What do Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners do?

Monitor machine operations to determine whether adjustments are necessary, stopping machines when problems occur.

How do I know if this career fits me?

Take the free Assessify career assessment. It matches your answers to careers and shows the South African salary next to each one.