A professional who sets up and adjusts battery of machines that paint, stamp, tip, or trim wooden pencils. Responsibilities include:

• Installs and adjusts feed mechanisms, guide rollers, tracks, machine fittings and attachments, according to size and shape of pencils, using handtools and gauges.
• Adjusts controls, such as setscrews and cams to synchronize machine mechanisms.
• Regulates thermostatic controls on heated units of machines.
• Disassembles machines and replaces worn or defective parts, such as circular knives, grinding wheels, and rollers.
• Sharpens machine punches and blades, using files and powered emery wheel.
• Starts machines to test adjustments and examines pencils for defects, such as burns, splintered ends, and nicks to determine needed readjustments.
• Replaces or repairs defective machine belts.
• May be designated according to type of machine setup as coating machines set-up mechanic; heading machines set-up mechanic; stamping machines set-up mechanic.