| Detail | For this role |
|---|---|
| Department | Production |
| Level | Entry level |
| Reports to | Production Supervisor |
| Direct reports | None |
| Experience | 1 to 5 years on centre lathes |
Turner job description template
Copy this job description, replace the text in square brackets and post it on your careers page or a job portal.
Job title: Turner
Department: Production
Reports to: Production Supervisor
Location: [City], [office, branch or site]
About the role
A Turner operates a centre lathe to make cylindrical parts by turning, facing, drilling, boring and threading to drawing. They set the job in the chuck, choose tools and speeds, and machine to size while checking with a micrometer and vernier. The role reports to the Production Supervisor. A good turner produces turned parts within tolerance from a drawing, sets up jobs quickly, and keeps a good surface finish with low scrap.
Key responsibilities
- Set the job in the chuck or between centres and check it runs true before turning.
- Select turning tools, speeds and feeds to suit the material and operation.
- Turn, face, drill, bore and thread the part to the drawing dimensions.
- Take roughing and finishing cuts to reach size and the required surface finish.
- Measure diameters and lengths with micrometer and vernier and adjust as you cut.
- Cut internal and external threads to gauge and check the fit.
- Segregate any part outside tolerance and inform the supervisor of a persistent problem.
- Grind and set single point tools to the correct angles when needed.
- Maintain the lathe, keep it lubricated and clean, and report faults for repair.
- Record parts produced and scrap on the job card each shift.
Requirements
- ITI in Turner trade
- Diploma in Mechanical Engineering is an advantage
- Reading of engineering drawings
- 1 to 5 years on centre lathes
KRAs and KPIs for a Turner
Key result areas for the appraisal form, each with a KPI you can measure every month or quarter.
| Key result area | How to measure it |
|---|---|
| Dimensional quality | Turned parts within tolerance on at least 98 percent of pieces each month |
| Surface finish | Finish held within the required standard on every turned job |
| Setup time | New job setups completed within the standard time on most jobs |
| Scrap control | Turning scrap held below the monthly target |
| Output | Daily turning quantity met on at least 90 percent of shifts |
| Machine upkeep | Daily lathe checks done and faults reported before breakdown |
Skills and tools
Tools used day to day: Centre lathe, Micrometer and vernier, Thread gauges, Boring bar and tools, Tool grinder.
Reporting line and career path
Next roles: CNC Operator, Machinist, Production Supervisor
Interview questions for a Turner
- How do you set a job true in a four jaw chuck?
- How do you cut an external metric thread on a centre lathe and check it?
- How do you choose speed and feed for turning brass compared with mild steel?
- What causes poor surface finish on a turned part and how do you fix it?
- How do you grind a single point tool for a facing operation?
- Tell me about a turned part that was hard to hold to size and what you did.
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What does a turner do?
A turner operates a centre lathe to make cylindrical parts by turning, facing, drilling, boring and threading to a drawing. They set the job to run true, choose tools and speeds, machine to size, and check with a micrometer and vernier. A good turner holds tolerance and surface finish while keeping scrap low.
What is the difference between a turner and a machinist?
A turner specialises in lathe work, producing cylindrical parts by turning and threading. A machinist works across several machine types, including lathes, milling machines and drills, and handles a wider range of setups. Turning is one of the skills a machinist has, while a turner focuses on the lathe.
What qualifications do you need to be a turner?
Most turners hold an ITI in the turner trade, and a mechanical diploma helps for growth. Employers look for the ability to set a job true, choose speeds and feeds, cut threads to gauge, grind tools, and hold tolerance with a micrometer and vernier. Experience on centre lathes and drawing reading are important.