"You can make a good living at a job, but what you do with your time after work is how you make money".
How To Start Your Side Business
Category: Metalworking
Manufacturing Skills That Are Transferable
Two years ago, it seemed as if there would never be another job where I would ever make as much money as a I did in manufacturing because I didn't have skills relevant to any other line of work. I'm still not convinced that I can make "manufacturing money" anywhere else. But the truth is … Continue reading Manufacturing Skills That Are Transferable
Do engineers make trouble?
While fabricators have to make a product to fit the parameters in the blueprint, engineers are the reason that blueprint exists. If you're an individual party without a perspective on this relationship, you've probably rarely (if ever) thought about how "things" get made in the world around you. That metal handrail you use every day, … Continue reading Do engineers make trouble?
How can production be improved through consideration?
Any shop can benefit from the "consideration method" where each worker is mindful of the next person/process in line.
When assembly IS required!
Depending on your situation, we might have some shared life experience in the assembly world. If you're like me, have children (or shop at IKEA), you have more than likely had a box with an insane amount of parts and pieces and the little saying "some assembly required". Thinking to ourselves: "SOME?! I have to … Continue reading When assembly IS required!
Abrasive Finishing Explained
It really depends on who is being asked the question, but generally if all employees of a metal fabrication shop are polled to see which department is the "worst", there will likely be a lot of votes for grinding/deburr department. While their reason may vary dramatically, it really comes down to one (or all) of … Continue reading Abrasive Finishing Explained
Train Your Replacement!
When it comes to "on the job training", how do you treat new hires as a manager? This can be a touchy subject depending on the mentality of the manager or supervisor; there's really only two ways to feel about new hires. "THEY WANT TO TAKE MY JOB" In my experience, this feeling is buried … Continue reading Train Your Replacement!
Don’t Plan Without Follow-Through
One thing that has plagued mankind for eternity is underestimating the usefulness of a "well-laid plan". I'm certainly not alone in experiencing pain during a time when I naively thought all would follow a plan that seemed perfect in every way. This leads to lower self-confidence, less fulfillment and hesitation when making decisions in the … Continue reading Don’t Plan Without Follow-Through
Don’t be late for work!
Picture this! You roll over in bed, see your alarm clock but don't actually focus on it. You close your eyes for a split second, then... BAM! Your eye lids slingshot back open. "Oh ****, I'm going to be late for work" You slept through your alarm (or more likely, hit snooze or shut it … Continue reading Don’t be late for work!
What you need to know about stainless steel
As you know, steel is a metal with many different properties. It can be malleable (the level of such depends upon the thickness and composition). While cold-rolled-steel may be easily manipulated at a thinner side of the spectrum (around 0.60"), you'll be hard pressed to do the same to material at a quarter-inch thick. Cold-Rolled-Steel … Continue reading What you need to know about stainless steel
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