A machinist sets up and operates equipment such as lathes, milling machines, saws, grinding machines, drilling and boring machines, shapers, planers, precision measuring tools, hand and power tools, and related attachments and accessories. These cutting tools are used to manufacture and repair parts and products made from metals, plastics, rubber textiles, fiberglass, and space age alloys.

Machinists can specialize or continue to work on various tools. In general, they are trained to:

• Study specifications, drawings, or sample parts to determine the machining operation needed
• Calculate dimensions and tolerances and prepare working sketches if necessary
• Measure and mark the metal
• Assemble machines, install attachments
• Setup and operate tools to perform precision machining operations
• Determine cutting speeds and feeds, then cut and file material
• Turn and/or bore contours, spheres, and parallel ...