• Set up, operate, or tend lathe and turning machines to turn, bore, thread, form, or face metal.
• Adjust machine controls and change tool settings in order to keep dimensions within specified tolerances.
• Inspect sample work pieces to verify conformance with specifications, using instruments such as gauges, micrometers, and dial indicators.
• Lift metal stock or work pieces manually or using hoists, and position and secure them in machines, using fasteners and hand tools.
• Position, secure, and align cutting tools in tool holders on machines, using hand tools, and verify their positions with measuring instruments.

Skills

• Crank machines through cycles, stopping to adjust tool positions and machine controls to ensure specified timing, clearances, and tolerances.
• Select cutting tools and tooling instructions, according to written specifications or knowledge of metal properties and shop mathematics.
• Move tool holders manually or by turning hand wheels, or engage automatic feeding mechanisms to feed tools to and along work pieces.
• Lift metal stock or work pieces manually or using hoists, and position and secure them in machines, using fasteners and hand tools.
• Compute unspecified dimensions and machine settings, using knowledge of metal properties and shop mathematics.