A metal finisher uses hand and power equipment to remove dents, scratches, and other flaws from metal surfaces.
As a metal finisher, your responsibilities include polishing and coating metal, etching decorative elements, grinding, sanding, and filling uneven areas.
This article will explain a metal finisher’s duties, obligations, and salary.
Let’s get right into it.
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What Does a Metal Finisher Do?
Metal finishers handle the final phases of metal fabrication. They use some chemicals and procedures to purify raw metals, remove impurities, or change their physical qualities.
Metal finishers deal with a wide variety of metals, including non-precious metals like copper, steel, and aluminum, as well as valuable metals like gold and silver.
Metal Finisher Job Duties
A Metal finisher is responsible for a variety of tasks, such as:
- Applying protective coatings to surfaces made of metals used to stop corrosion or rust, such as zinc or cadmium
- Before being completed, pieces are examined to make sure they are free of flaws or damage
- Metals are polished, buffed, and sanded to provide a smooth surface finish.
- Placing metal components in mechanical devices like engines or gearboxes
- Using wire brushes or grinders, remove painted, rusted, or other surface impurities from metal parts
- Using small components and instruments like drills, hammers, and grinders to shape metal surfaces or create new pieces
- Machining metal components according to requirements, such as drilling or cutting holes in surfaces or portions
- Employing cutting instruments like saws and shears to measure and cut metal pieces to requirements
- Putting protective coatings on metal surfaces to stop rust or corrosion
Metal Finisher Salary
According to many salary aggregation websites, a metal finisher’s annual pay in the US is between $32,221 and $56,569, with an average of $41,362.
The typical salary for metal finishers in the US ranges from $32,221 to $56,569, based on their experience, location, talents, and other criteria.
Metal Finisher Job Requirements
Below outlined are the possible requirement for a metal finisher job.
Education
The majority of metal finishers require a high school diploma or GED.
Some employers may want you to have an associate’s degree in metal finishing or a similar field.
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Training & Experience
Metal finishers frequently learn on the job from their supervisors or other knowledgeable workers.
Certifications & Licenses
Some companies say that metal finishers may need to take an industry-specific certification exam to show that they know the basics of their job.
Metal Finisher Skills
Metal finishers require the following skills to be successful:
Welding
Metal finishers frequently work with metal components that need to be linked to other pieces, so they often need this skill.
Machining
Coatings are frequently applied to metal items by metal finishers via machining.
Inspection
They may also use inspection skills to check the quality of the resources they get to ensure they are the right kind.
Metalworking
Metalworkers use their mechanical aptitude to run presses, mills, and lathes.
Metal Finisher Work Environment
Metal finishers operate in manufacturing facilities, machine shops, and other industrial locations.
They must wear protective clothing, such as gloves, masks, and earplugs, because they might be exposed to noise, gases, and other dangerous chemicals.
Many metal finishers work full-time, and some put in extra hours, mainly when tight deadlines are tight. Some metal finishers work nights or on the weekends.
How to Become a Metal Finisher
Being a metal finisher can be a rewarding and successful job. Before starting, learning the fundamentals of metal finishing, such as how to operate various polishing machines and abrasives, is crucial.
Additionally, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with the multiple metals employed in manufacturing and how they respond to different finishes.
It’s time to put your skills to use once you have a basic understanding of metal finishing.
Look for a business specializing in metal finishing, then offer labour for nothing or at a discounted fee.
You will have the chance to learn from seasoned experts and fill your portfolio with stellar work samples.
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Conclusion
Most metal finishers begin their careers as assistants or apprentices, learning the trade while assisting more seasoned finishers.
They might be promoted to journeyman metal finishers as they gain experience and eventually become managers or supervisors.