Job Description

Machinists set up and operate lathes, tool grinders, drills and other machine tools to manufacture metal repair parts and fabricate sheet metal, steel frames and equipment. They do this by interpreting blueprints, engineering drawings, sketches and verbal instructions. Machinists also develop and maintain preventive maintenance procedures, and overhaul equipment. This may involve diagnosing and solving new or unique equipment problems by designing, building and installing equipment improvement prototypes. In analyzing specifications and developing tools, they must have knowledge of metal properties and lathe operation and be able to visualize the finished product.