Machine Shop Tools

A machine shop has been running for almost a century without machine tool automation. What’s their secret? Everyone wants their businesses to stand the test of time. Many are quick to adopt innovations hoping it could help them stay competitive or on top in the industry. In machining we could see endless of new tools and whilst it’s tempting to try them all it’s not always practical.

I saw a video recently of a machine shop in Texas that still use the tools they have since they started in 1937. Without any automation seventy year old Tom Carpenter works side by side with his son Tommy Carpenter, and grandson Pierce Carpenter who joined recently, relying only on their minds to create and hands to build or repair workpieces. They draw challenging machine problems in dust to solve them. It’s unbelievable but they have been doing this for more than 80 years and the business still survives.

This started me thinking when and why we should replace old equipment with new. Sometimes we should not wait until a tool lost its usefulness. The time to upgrade is when the new equipment brings greater value to the service you offer to your clients. Before deciding on which machine to invest in, talk to your customers about their wants and what feature they value most. When investing in a new machine, it is important to understand how the new equipment adds value to your product and how you will keep part of the added value as profit for yourself.

Earlier we’ve talked about the Carpenter family who successfully run their machine workshop without modernisation but that may not be the best option for you. I am not saying that you buy every new machine that comes in the market, but ask yourself ‘Will this new machine add value to the service I offer my customer? and if so how do I keep part of the added value for myself?’ If your answer to both questions is yes, then you should consider buying the new equipment.

A good addition to your machine shop is a CNC router that works in different types of materials like metals, woods, plastics, etc. It has a high-speed spindle of 775 with 12-36V and 8000r/min and runs very smoothly with GRBL control. What do you think about this new machine tool automation?