I just saw the Practical Machinist video on your shop. I really like your setup and business case for manual machining. Good job explaining the lapping process here.
Wow! The Practical Machinist video is getting a lot of traction! Thank you for watching and I appreciate the comment. The lapping plate gets a lot of use here. It’s kind of a cornerstone of what I do with Powersports and Automotive work.
I believe there’s a lot of opportunities for Manual Machine Shops right now. Maybe more opportunities than there has been in the last few decades. I say that because so many Manual guys have retired or are right at retirement age. I know other all Manual shops that are booming with business - but each owner is over the age of 60. Someone is going to pick up all that work when they retire! That’s one reason I finally said “now is the time” and opened up. I figure I’ll be more established and ready to take on that work when the time comes. I already have friends in the trade who sub me out work now as they begin to downsize toward retirement.
My father taught me the figure 8 lap on a warped lawnmower head. He lapped the rocker arm covers on radials to stop leaks. "The dam guys mix up the rocker covers"
When I was 16 and working for a shop after school, one of my jobs was being the “lapping guy”. Man did I hate the lapping plate after a while haha… but that was a foot in the door to learn other machining related work
Yes, that’s him! He was Tool & Die at Cooper Industries for many years. When they shut down he finished his career at BIW as an “Outside Machinist”, which I think was really more of a Millwright style position.
I thought so! I worked with you're dad at the shipyard. Yes it is more like a millwright, but unique to shipbuilding. He's a great guy, hope all is well. Keep up the good work, really enjoy the videos.
very good job..thanks for your time
Thank you so much for watching. It looks like you have a really neat setup in your shop!
I just saw the Practical Machinist video on your shop. I really like your setup and business case for manual machining. Good job explaining the lapping process here.
Wow! The Practical Machinist video is getting a lot of traction!
Thank you for watching and I appreciate the comment. The lapping plate gets a lot of use here. It’s kind of a cornerstone of what I do with Powersports and Automotive work.
I believe there’s a lot of opportunities for Manual Machine Shops right now. Maybe more opportunities than there has been in the last few decades. I say that because so many Manual guys have retired or are right at retirement age.
I know other all Manual shops that are booming with business - but each owner is over the age of 60. Someone is going to pick up all that work when they retire! That’s one reason I finally said “now is the time” and opened up. I figure I’ll be more established and ready to take on that work when the time comes. I already have friends in the trade who sub me out work now as they begin to downsize toward retirement.
My father taught me the figure 8 lap on a warped lawnmower head. He lapped the rocker arm covers on radials to stop leaks. "The dam guys mix up the rocker covers"
When I was 16 and working for a shop after school, one of my jobs was being the “lapping guy”. Man did I hate the lapping plate after a while haha… but that was a foot in the door to learn other machining related work
Saw the Practical Machinist video.
Like what you're doing there.
Have to ask...is your dad Pat Hiltz, retired outside machinist from biw?
Yes, that’s him! He was Tool & Die at Cooper Industries for many years. When they shut down he finished his career at BIW as an “Outside Machinist”, which I think was really more of a Millwright style position.
I thought so! I worked with you're dad at the shipyard. Yes it is more like a millwright, but unique to shipbuilding. He's a great guy, hope all is well. Keep up the good work, really enjoy the videos.