Job Description:
Grinding and Buffing Operator – Smith Equipment
The Grinding and Buffing Operator prepares, grinds, sands, and buffs metal or other manufactured parts to meet established quality, surface-finish, and production standards. This position operates hand tools and powered equipment safely, inspects completed work, and maintains an organized work area.
Major Areas of Accountability
Operate grinders, sanders, buffers, and related hand or powered equipment to remove rough edges, excess material, scratches, weld marks, or surface defects.
Select and install appropriate abrasive wheels, belts, discs, compounds, pads, and fixtures based on material and finish requirements.
Read work orders, drawings, specifications, and quality standards to determine required processes and surface finish.
Inspect parts before, during, and after processing; identify defects and rework or report nonconforming materials as directed.
Measure or visually verify dimensions, surface quality, and finish using required gauges and inspection tools.
Maintain production records, including quantities completed, scrap, rework, and material usage.
Perform routine equipment checks, replace worn consumables, and report equipment malfunctions or safety concerns promptly.
Follow established safety procedures, use required personal protective equipment and maintain a clean work area.
Handle and move materials, parts, and finished products in accordance with workplace procedures.
Support team production goals and perform other related duties as assigned
Utilizes a variety of metal cleaning and finishing equipment such as metcote tanks, thermal deburrer, electro-plating tanks, and various soap and rinse tanks.
Utilizes test equipment to maintain appropriate chemical balances, temperatures, cleanliness, etc.
Assists in maintaining the wastewater treatment system.
Troubleshoots and performs routine maintenance of metal finishing equipment and assigned work area. Keeps department and machines clean and orderly.
Utilizes proper storage, handling and disposal methods of all hazardous materials.
Assists in maintaining chemical supplies and other regular consumables.
Inspects parts using measuring equipment per prescribed procedures.
Performs work in a safe manner by following all safety rules and ensures that proper safety equipment is used (including machine guards).
Maintains department records per established procedures.
Supports the department team and continuous improvement concepts by suggesting changes/ improvements of setups and processes. Assists in documentation and control of these processes in accordance with established policies/procedures.
Seeks and recommends ways to eliminate potential quality problems, to improve procedure and methods, and to increase department or division productivity utilizing TQC problems solving techniques.
Supports the ITW/Smith principles and philosophies:
Use of the principles and philosophies: simplify, focus, flow, empower and trust
Set goals and targets that support the company, department and assigned tasks.
Qualifications
High school diploma or GED.
No allergies to oils, solvents or solutions.
Physical ability to lift, carry and maneuver 50 pounds.
Physical ability to stand all day.
Demonstrated ability to work in a cooperative and team-oriented environment.
Demonstrated ability to communicate (verbal/written) effectively with customers, suppliers and other employees.
Demonstrated ability to read and interpret all applicable blueprints, schematics and diagrams.
Company Description
Located in Watertown, SD, Smith Equipment sets the industry standard in oxy-fuel equipment. Smith was founded in 1916 by Elmer Smith. Our commitment to crafting excellence has yearned us a reputation for manufacturing high-quality equipment that welders and professional trust.
Smith offers a comprehensive range of gas equipment and gas control products. From torches to regulators, our lineup meets the highest standards. Our equipment is…