The Complete Guide to Becoming A Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setter, Operator, and Tender, Metal and Plastic

I was on the fence about a trade school program for this exact job title. This book is a solid dose of reality, though not exactly a page-turner. The chapter on what you actually do all day was helpful – I had imagined it was more about 'tending' a machine than I now realize. The pay numbers seem a bit conservative compared to what I've seen online, but I appreciated the caution. It's a useful resource, just maybe not the final word.

It gave me the facts I needed to make a decision, even if the tone felt a little dry at times. The breakdown of the day-to-day work and the honest pay ranges convinced me this isn't the right path for me, which is a valuable thing to learn from a book. It talks about the monotony and the physical demands, which other 'career guides' tend to skip. Glad I read it before signing up for any courses.

This is exactly what I needed. I am a career-changer in my late twenties, and I was lost in a sea of generic advice. This book is a complete roadmap. The chapter on what a setter, operator, and tender actually does destroyed my illusions, but in a good way – I now know I'd like the precision work. The chapters on breaking in and what you'll earn were worth the price alone. It's direct, honest, and gave me the confidence to start applying. Buy it if you're serious.

A decent, practical read for anyone considering the field. I appreciated the self-assessment checklist in the second chapter; it made me realize I might not have the patience for the constant measuring. The comparisons between different training paths were clear and easy to understand. It's not a motivational book, which is fine, but I was hoping for a bit more detail on the 'how-to-get-hired' part. It felt like it ended just as it was getting to the good stuff.

As a mom of a son who wants to go into the trades, this book was a godsend. Finally, something that is not trying to sell me a college degree or a training program. It gave me and my son a realistic view of what the job is, what the hours are like, and what he can expect to make. The chapter on a 'Day in the Life' was his favorite – it made the job feel real. I feel much better about his decision now. Highly recommended.

This guide helped me see the whole picture. The first chapter on the actual machine work was a bit of an eye-opener; it sounds less glamorous and more about handling parts and reading micrometers than I thought. The salary tables were useful, though the outlook chapter felt a little uncertain. It's a solid primer, but I would have liked more real-world anecdotes or quotes from people actually on the job to make it more engaging.

A very practical and honest guide. I particularly liked the chapter on 'Breaking In' – the checklist of things to do before you apply is gold. The book doesn't oversell the glamour of the work; it admits it's hard, repetitive, and requires attention to detail. The pay transparency was refreshing. It's a solid 4 stars for being a unique and much-needed resource for this specific career. It won't tell you to follow your heart, but it will tell you what to do with your hands.

It's a fine book, I suppose, but it didn't excite me. The information is straightforward, and the chapter on typical salaries was helpful. I was hoping for more information on the business side of things, like how to start your own shop later, but this is strictly about being an employee. It serves its purpose as a complete guide, but the writing style was a bit plain for my liking. Still, it did its job of telling me the truth about the career path.