Given the ongoing skilled labor shortage, everyone knows the importance of machine tool technology training. That need will only grow as more manufacturing returns to the United States. And yet, many vocational-technical schools have outdated equipment. Updating manual lathes, mills,...

Knee mills are perhaps the most versatile of all machine tools. Size permitting, it’s possible to produce practically any orthogonal part on a knee mill, especially when operated by a skilled machinist. Add CNC capabilities and you now have a...

There’s nothing magical about the term Oil Country Lathes. That is unless your company has the need to machine massive parts with equally massive metal removal requirements. For these applications, Oil Country Lathes are indeed magical. Named for their widespread...

There are plenty of surface grinders for sale promos out there. However, before you pick up the phone or fire off an email, hold up. It’s a good idea to first separate the must-have machine features from those that are nice...

Lathes for sale. It’s a common headline on eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and many other internet sites. And let's face it, there are some very high-quality lathes for sale out there. But then again, some fall far short of this description....

Milling machines are often among the first pieces of equipment in many shops. They are used to machine surfaces, mill pockets, drill and bore holes, and much more. This makes them a mainstay of any metalworking company or repair facility....

Every shop needs a good bandsaw. That’s just as true for the home hobbyist as it is a large manufacturing company. But what are bandsaws? How do they work, and most importantly, what should you look for when buying one?...

The Thomas Publishing Company conducted a survey in the spring of 2020. That was right about the time the pandemic began turning the world on its head. In it, fully 64% of the 878 manufacturing and industrial sector professionals said they “are...

Most machinists with a few years under their belt have at least toyed with the idea of starting a machine shop. It’s a lot to think about. It’s also a bit scary. Where will you get the money? How about...

Cut thin to win. That’s what my uncle used to say. He was talking about the card game Cribbage, not wire EDM, yet the adage holds true either way. That’s because Wire EDM (WEDM) uses ultra-thin wire from 0.1 to...