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Lathe operator skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted expert
Miles Free
Below we've compiled a list of the most critical lathe operator skills. We ranked the top skills for lathe operators based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 11.5% of lathe operator resumes contained cnc lathes as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a lathe operator needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 lathe operator skills for your resume and career

1. CNC Lathes

Here's how lathe operators use cnc lathes:
  • Finish Lathe Responsibilities: Prep Barrels for CNC Lathes such as: machine counter-bores and cut to length.
  • Proposed the concept of using bar feeder on CNC lathes for high volume products.

2. Micrometers

A micrometer is a measuring instrument used in various laboratories to measure even the tiniest components in-depth with great precision and accuracy and to make precise linear measurements of dimensions such as diameters, thicknesses, and lengths of solid bodies. They are essential measuring instruments used by mechanical engineers, machinists, and workers in other technical professions. They allow workers to take extremely precise measurements, which can be viewed either in imperial or metric format. Most micrometers are designed to measure within one-thousandth of an inch! It's a snug fit. Accurate measurements like this are needed when even the smallest distance between objects can cause problems or difficulties.

Here's how lathe operators use micrometers:
  • Operate a metal lathe to machine gears and Inspect parts with micrometers and calipers to assure proper dimensions.
  • Use calipers, micrometers, and other various measuring devices to ensure quality of parts according to blueprints.

3. Manual Lathes

Here's how lathe operators use manual lathes:
  • Set up of manual lathe, change tooling, welding bits, machining to specified prints and specifications.
  • Use manual Lathe to clean, polish, buff and repair parts as needed.

4. Hand Tools

Here's how lathe operators use hand tools:
  • Advanced knowledge of hand tools, powered tools, and their proper uses and functions.
  • Assembled small to mid size course fixtures using hand tools.

5. Calipers

Here's how lathe operators use calipers:
  • Used Mics Calipers and Bore Gauges.
  • Use Gauges, In /Out /deep micrometer, calipers, in size dial bore gauge.

6. Math

Here's how lathe operators use math:
  • Ensured machinery parts met specification requirements using machine shop math.
  • Calculated and computed machine specifications using shop math.

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7. Print Specifications

Here's how lathe operators use print specifications:
  • Machined parts according to print specifications on a manual lathe.
  • Set up lathe with blue print specifications.

8. Routine Maintenance

Here's how lathe operators use routine maintenance:
  • Do routine maintenance on lathes, general housekeeping, and organize work area.
  • Performed routine maintenance on lathes and removed wasted metal from all work areas.

9. Lathe Machines

Here's how lathe operators use lathe machines:
  • Trained ten (10) new associates/ supervised in Lathe Machines to ensure they would be efficient in their daily tasks.
  • Operate hand lathe machinery and consistently change machine parts to acquire the specifications of appropriate finishes and products.

10. Perform Routine Maintenance

Here's how lathe operators use perform routine maintenance:
  • Perform routine maintenance on the CNC lathes, including filling coolant, oil, and replacing inserts as needed/required.
  • Complete changeovers from one product to another, perform routine maintenance to assist the lines continue to run.

11. Machine Operation

Here's how lathe operators use machine operation:
  • Monitored machine operation and control panel displays and compare readings to specifications to detect malfunctions.
  • Developed programs from blueprints for machine operation.

12. Machine Tools

Here's how lathe operators use machine tools:
  • Maintain machine tools in proper operational condition.
  • Design parts to specifications using machine tools such as lathes, milling machines, shapers, or grinders.

13. Quality Checks

Quality checks are a component of quality control aimed at ensuring that quality requirements are met. Internally, quality checks provide assurance to managers, and externally, it provides assurance to clients, federal departments, authorities, and certifiers.

Here's how lathe operators use quality checks:
  • Operated precision equipment such as calibers to help properly set up machines and to perform quality checks on parts produced.
  • Inspect and quality check parts.

14. Dial Indicators

Here's how lathe operators use dial indicators:
  • Do precision setup with dial indicators daily.
  • Used dial indicator inside diameter gage.

15. Reference Points

Reference points serve as a guide for an apprentice carpenter when cutting, assembling, or attaching construction materials such as wood and metal. Reference points come in many forms depending on the project one is involved in.

Here's how lathe operators use reference points:
  • Measured, marked, and scribed dimensions and reference points on materials and work pieces as guides for subsequent machining.
  • Measured and marked dimensions and reference points accurately.
top-skills

What skills help Lathe Operators find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What type of skills will young lathe operators need?

Miles FreeMiles Free LinkedIn profile

Director, Industry Affairs, Precision Machined Products Association

Skills are essential, but most of our precision machining shops hire for attitude. We will help reliable candidates develop the skills that they need. If we look at employers having wants and needs: want - someone that knows their software. Needs - someone that knows how to adjust code; we'll teach them our software. Wants - excellent math skills. Requires the ability to do high school algebra, geometry, and trig.

Needs - people that can communicate an issue verbally and in writing.
That's where we see it. Critical thinking, ability to understand problems and their potential causes, ability to work well with others, without this, even a super-competent technically skilled person will probably find themselves changing jobs many times.
Do you want to know more?
Read more about what experts have to say about lathe operator

List of lathe operator skills to add to your resume

Lathe operator skills

The most important skills for a lathe operator resume and required skills for a lathe operator to have include:

  • CNC Lathes
  • Micrometers
  • Manual Lathes
  • Hand Tools
  • Calipers
  • Math
  • Print Specifications
  • Routine Maintenance
  • Lathe Machines
  • Perform Routine Maintenance
  • Machine Operation
  • Machine Tools
  • Quality Checks
  • Dial Indicators
  • Reference Points
  • Mazak
  • Haas
  • Drill Press
  • FANUC
  • Hoists
  • Lathe Operation
  • Okuma
  • Comparators
  • Grinding Machines
  • Process Sheets
  • Jigs
  • Shop Mathematics
  • ID
  • Production Process
  • Quality Standards
  • Stainless Steel
  • MIG
  • OD
  • Troubleshoot
  • Precise Measurements
  • Disk
  • Customer Specifications
  • Turning Machines
  • Spindles
  • Product Specifications
  • G Code
  • Tig Welding
  • Position Tools
  • Quality Inspection
  • ISO
  • Extrusion
  • Hydraulic Cylinders

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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