Rottler Manufacturing: The Unsung Hero of Combustion Engines (100 Years of Made In America)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.พ. 2025
- 100 years ago the automobile was so new that rebuilding a used engine was not a thought yet.. Clarence Rottler saw a need and developed the Rottler Boring Bar to refinish Ford Model T engines out on the isolated west coast. 100 years later his grandson Andy has led the company into the forefront of the CNC era with the most advanced engine honing and resurfacing machines in existence. Today we get to go inside the Kent WA factory to see how a third generation American manufacturing company operates!
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People really don't realize how much companies like Rottler have an influence on the automotive industry we all love. I don't think these places get the recognition they deserve and we are set out to change that!
Absolutely, would love to see more content like this. Not sure if you want suggestions but would love to see torque converter production, center section, valves, or even lifters. There are other videos out there but your approach to these videos are so interesting.
I really admire you guys for going down this path, because like you just said here: companies like Rottler really do deserve to be widely known and appreciated. Most of us never even consider anything beyond the machine shop that preps and builds our engines. But those machine shops wouldn't even exist without companies like Rottler giving them their capabilities.
Always KILLER content when you folks hit up outfits like this! Keep it going!
Also, influence on the power of the US. Without the building blocks of society, you are nothing.
I'm Australian, and we produce nothing anymore except minerals.
100% reliant on the rest of the world
@@beekeeper6109unfortunately you may have to go over the big pond for lifter production but hopefully USA has one that builds quality!
I worked for Rottler when they were in Seattle from about 1964 to 1966. It was a good job and a fine company.Don Rottler hired me, it was my first job in a machine shop. I am 84 now and remember working for them with fond memories. THANK YOU ROTTLER.
that is really cool!
I just saw Steve Morris using the right angle head
Same. Roller cam bearings in the viper engine. Never seen that before...
Steve knows the deal!
Right on, man!
And the cool part is that facilities like that are coming back.
People are finally starting to realize that having a supply chain scattered all over the world maybe isn't the best idea.
American manufacturing is and always has been the best.
absolutely!
100% AGREE THIS BEST COMMENT ON TH-cam STRAIGHT UP! ABOUT TIME SOMEONE SAYS THIS.
England was once... but socialism tends to wreck everything.
@@Mercmad Heh.... But, it wasn't "real" socialism...... har har...
@@tngtacticalmiata1219 ; wink 😉, wink😉‼️
I am 60 years old and have been a cylinder head guy for 40 years. You have the best content and stuff that you just wouldn't know about. You have something no one else has as far as I know. Thank you and please don't stop.
thanks man we won't stop I promise!
Only 3 generations for a 100 year old company is amazing. You’d think there would be more. It’s great his daughter works there. A small (100 people or less) company is so great. This was a great video
thanks man! I thought the same thing
At 9:10, how close was that 16 cylinder engine block? It's MASSIVE!!!!
Another really good one! I have a lot of respect for companies here that have been operating for multiple generations, and have not sold out to some investment group or foreign entity. Keep up the good work Rottler! Thx!!!
Well said!
Outstanding Video!!!! It shows how much Rottler cares about there customers! You guys do a tremendous job asking the right questions to inform all of us about there products and services. Another Great Video
thank you sir!
Titans of Machining did a Video on Connie Koletta's Air Craft parts manufacturing CO in MI They make turbine blades to rebuild their own Jet engines.
thats awesome!
This is absolutely amazing. Just think it what the original owner would’ve thought.
great question. probably extremely proud of his lineage to keep it an industry leader!
This is American Manufacturing at is finest. Thanks for the video! Just retired from machining. I have a great deal of pride for having been part of it for 30+ years
Thanks man!!
King of all hones!!
nice paint
Wow, this video brought back some memories! Around 1984, I worked for an engine remanufacturer…we did a lot of engines for the military’s ground units, like tugs that pull around aircraft…slant 6s, GMC V6 gas engines, and Hercules? That was a big in-line 6 made of chrome moly…tough to machine! I had the privilege to learn to operate the green Rottler boring bar! You centered the bar in the bore by floating the machine on air, use the four fingers in the bore to center it, then lock it down. Had to do a lot of sleeving back then-thin wall blocks. Also operated the Sunnen CK-10, and a Sunnen Align hone/boring bar. Then after doing the machine work, I got to assemble them. That was a nice job. Also, we had to document everything when we turned the rebuilt engines over to the Dyno room. Learned a lot! Thanks for the video. Great job.
thanks man thats awesome!
This was awesome. I work in steel mill maintenance and operate old school machines and CNC. Seeing different machines and uses of them is cool. I know Steve Morris loves his new Rottler machines and is proud of them. I hope he sees this video.
thanks man!
I agree, machineing is very important and we wouldn't have nearly as good quality of a life without companies like this one
Great video.
Thanks for sharing.
Have a great day.
Precision!!!
Most certainly will be another good video!
Absolutely incredible....hats off to Rottler....
Very impressive company. I retired from the high pressure natural gas industry as a regional manager and in our fleet of natural gas compressors one of my facilities had two 4200 HP engines powering the compressors.
Watching this reminds me of our major overhauls we completed. Very well done and informative.
I love seeing American industrial success and dedication. This company remained true and dedicated to the made in USA heritage and loyalty and never sold out to greed.
Thank you to Rottler Manufacturing and to Stapleton for sharing!
thank you sir!!
Thanks for this it is superb! I have just started from the beginning 1815 here :)
That was great..! thank you
thank you!
Your videos keep getting better. Enjoy everyone of them. Thanks guys 🇺🇸👍
I really like Ryan for your Tour guide/Spokesman. He looks like he's a happy employee. 😊
Absolutely!
Fascinating. You just never think about who makes the machines to do stuff. You take for granted that a car manufacturer just does it but never see where their manufacturing machines come from. Did that make sense ??
Absolutely does! That is why we made this video!
Excellent video being a retired machinist! I was doing layout, first piece Quality control and we built a Hitachi Seiki CNC machining center back in the 90's!
Mr Stapelton very impressive. Wat a video and Greg Anderson never seen him so relaxed. What s pleasure to see you sir and your family.
Glad you enjoyed it!!
Was a great video, could def tell it was a family run shop. Absolutely love to see that!!! The machine that could scan and make a model on it's own is amazing! You could duplicate so many older parts with that, very sick
I found this video very Interesting. My grandfather who was born in 1909 had his first Model T at the age of 13. I remember him telling about rebuilding the motor back then and boring the enginenblock with a hone. He did the first cylinder until he thought it was where he wanted it, and ground a nail until it just fit into the cylinder. Then he did the other 3 cylinders to match. He ended up having to get custom size pistons because he went past the standard oversize for the day. He became a machinist and still a hotrodder after that. Great video.
thats awesome. its possible he used an original design Rottler to do it too!
That boy knows his stuff, what an assett to their company.
I had never even heard of Rottler. That was interesting.
thanks man now you know!
What is really amazing here with Rottler is that it survived, where many of the competing companies like Kwik-Way, Van Norman, Peterson, Winona, and K.O. lee didn't, that tells us that the ownership was thinking ahead of the curve. Even though, both the Van Norman and Kwick-Way manual boring bars were better they are now obsolete and hard to find parts for, and Rottler will still supply parts for their manual equipment.
I run a Rottler F-69ATF Porting machine --
YOU sir, are an unsung hero of combustion engines. Sure, I'm all for making the planet better etc. But, being a fan of internal combustion engines myself, it's hard to describe. If you know, you know kind of thing. Just how much time and energy spent, trial and error trying to make these beautiful machines perform at the most optimal conditions as can possibly happen. Trying to balance mind blowing performance and affordability is just amazing from all manufacturers involved. I'm rambling, all to say an engine might seem inanimate to most, but it's art. Electric cars to me will always lack what an internal combustion engine has.......SOUL! Keep up the great work, this is awesome content. 🤘
Those machines are so cool. I could watch them for hours. In a way, they take material away while a 3d adds material. Exact opposites sort of.
That was very interesting and its nice to see that some things are still made here in the USA. Also your Race Car is looking amazing! Thanks for another cool Upload! 🤙🏼
thank you sir!
10:35 in, I LOVE the interaction in the family dynamic. So good!
Us too it was very entertaining!
Maaan I could be right at home there.. I absolutely love the technical side of stuff. Keep up the amazing work and putting out these bangers 🐼🫶
thanks man!
Once again guys you too have hit out of the park !!!!!!!thanks for taking the time
Our pleasure!
great stuff as always
Seeing the 3600, and the compressors brought back memories from the field
Dude… thank you so much for what you do. I really mean that from the bottom of my heart. I haven’t watched one video I didn’t enjoy and/or learn a ton from. Keep up the outstanding work
I rode a Rottler F series boring bar every day in a production shop thirty years ago. It was rock solid, never once broke down and held its accuracy for years of abuse. Of course it was green the way they should be lol ( white is pretty on showroom floor) the bar mounted dial indicator was genius and a pleasure when doing sleeves etc. I’m glad to see the company is going strong since many of the top manufactures in the business have either closed or are out of engine machine business. That old boring bar with a CK 10 was an unbeatable combo in the eighties for durability and accuracy.
Thats awesome! I think they should offer a heritage package with green paint for special order lol
JUST AMAZING. I NOW COMPLETLY UNDERSTAND WHY STEVE MORRIS HAS INVESTED SO MUCH $$ IN ROTTLER MACHINES AT HIS SHOP NO WONDER THE SMX/ SML PROGRAMS. ARE SO DURABLE. AT SUCH A HIGH HP RATEING AND CAPABLE OF REVING TO 9000 RPM SAFELY. THANK YOU FOR SHOWCASEING SUCH A GREAT AMERICAN COMPANY 😎👍🏽❤️
thanks man! can't put a price tag on precision when it comes to engines pushing limits!
I'm a new subscriber. Love the old NASCAR stuff. I grew up in that Era. I also loved the videos with Rambo. I like your content, and the girl really adds to it. She just kind of hangs out in the background without a care in the world and then just suddenly asks some very intelligent question of the guest that none of us thought of before that moment, but we actually want to know the answer to. Plus, she ain't hard to look at. Keep up the good work 👏
Thank you Aaron we appreciate you! Welcome to the team
I remember seeing that floating head mounted on a Bridgeport manual milling machine. It was at a machining trade show about 1996 if I remember it right. Thanks for sharing about the company. Charles
Your content keeps getting better with each new video! This channel is definitely my favorite TH-cam channel! Thanks so very much for sharing this with us and please keep making more!
Wow, thank you!
So Wise , Thank You For showing some of the people that make the tools that help us keep our vechles operating longer
thank you Henry we are glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you for coming to the Puget Sound area. You could have visited Joes Racing Products in Everett Wa. and a couple miles away visit the Boeing Everett plant.
One tech builds a whole machine. Love it That is the way it should be. More hands on a job = more issues.
Awesome video
Glad you enjoyed it!
I've said it many times...yet another awesome video, Mitchell!! Absolutely love your content.
Thank you so much!
Just saw Steve Morris build SML and SMX engines, honing them on Rottler machines. Nice to see a little bit of background on these and on the company!
What a cool company, I went to an open house there once, it was awesome.
Great video. Keep them coming. I had never heard of Rottler until Steve Morris got one. He loves his. Appears to be an awesome company with awesome equipment for engine machinist and builders.
they really are!
❤From NZ awsome stuff great to see this kind of engineering factory ,more interesting to me than a parts manufacturing factory tour ,industrial machinery is still built to last and stay accurate for many lifetimes.
Thank you very much!
What a fun trip. Thanks for taking the time and effort it took to do this.
Several of these being used at Jasper Engines & Transmissions in remanufacturing. Check out their Authentics division. You two should do a couple tours next time you’re in the Hoosier state!
Another great video, I've watched Steve Morris recently installing and using the Rottler equipment and they're definitely state of the art, Thanks again for an awesome video.
thanks man!
Absolutely great video content! You & Logan sure do keep the information going with all things automotive/racing and everything in between, and you know that it and you guys are always appreciated 110%. Love it, keep up the great work! There till the last second!👍👍👍
thanks mark!!
Knocked it out of the park again,Great video Thanks!
Thanks man!
would love to be able to operate those machines to design and make my own engines, motors etc . awesome loved this content
Always man u 2 r the best and thanks again for the best dam Automotive/ Hotrod/Americana vids on TH-cam
thank you sir we are glad to have you on the team!
Really enjoyed this video. From the first manual boring bar to the Cat 3600 block and that the newer Rottlers can digitize and create a toolpath on the machine. It's impressive, I wish I could see how the software and programming works. I used to work for the Caterpillar Large Engine Center in Lafayette, Indiana machining new 3600 engine blocks. I never ran the 16 cylinders you showed, but instead ran the inline 6 and 8 cylinder blocks. They do use those in marine use, like tugboats or as part of a backup generator for a nuclear submarine. I no longer work there, but still do work for them through my current job.
thanks man!!
When he was talking about the centering setup van Norman boring bars had the same setup.
Very cool, I've seen the new boring machine on Steve Morris's channel.
Their machines are wicked awesome!!
Heck yeah!!! As a machinist its cool to see this side of it. Thank you guys!
Our pleasure!
Those ABB servo motors used to be made in Westville, OK but moved to another ABB plant. Lots of Haas equipment there, using ABB motors too.
Funny I didn't see anyone in the plant wearing safety glasses.
I don't wear safety glasses unless I am cutting or drilling something usually
Awesome company, America needs more companies like this.👍 Great video!
We agree! Thank you Mark!
Awesome video I wait every week for your video and watch it a second time usually cause it’s so informative.
We love to hear that! Thank you for being here!
Loved this tour, it opened my eyes a bit more. However, the racecar looks fantastic, good job Mitchell.
thanks mark!!
Did he say 2 -tenths?? Lol
Anyway, just wanted to thank you for all the work you have put into this new style of videos! ( I miss the escalade and am waiting patiently . Lol) You are proving me wrong in my thoughts of all kids these day care nothing about American made and the quality i grew up loving.
Again thank you both for your extreme professionalism. ❤
Now that looks like a great place to work at!
Loved seeing this video, also love seeing how your circle track is coming along.
Thanks man!
its amazing how Yinz find these companies that do what they do !!!!
Thanks man!
Logan, that was awesome. I seen you put your foot on the block for reference... I was hoping you guys would show how big the bores are...
Another great video. Thank you and God bless you both.
I always assumed Rottler was a German company. This is incredible. What a great history they have.
Another great tour
Michael, Rottler is in a great place to become the next Bridgeport; American manufacturing is coming home already, looking to reopen plants for higher tech gear we can make very competitively vs China and others. Machines like Rottler builds now and others available only from Japan and a few other sources do a huge amount of the factory engine production from raw castings- and for many things besides piston engines. Rottler will have a great environment to grow even bigger. And they look to hold onto family- awesome!
Thanks man! It’s Mitchell btw. I get called Michael a lot lol
@@Stapleton42 My bad! I thought you would be interested in what the "other news" may be saying about the future for American companies like Rottler. If they do a decent job of it, Rottler could well be two or three times it's present size in a decade or so. And I'll try to get "Mitchell" fixed in my brain next time! But I didn't call you "Hey, You"!
Loved this video! Thanks to the folks at Rottler and to you for bringing it to us.
Our pleasure!!
Thanks for this video! As a former automotive machinist, I really appreciated it.
Thanks man!
I wish it were a longer video
better to leave em wanting more than having too much! I have more footage of Andy and David talking we may post as an S42 extra video
Open house is in October come on by!!
Heard a story at PRI from one of the sales guys demonstrating the 5 axis cylinder head machine. It was at Warren Johnson's shop, the sales guy took his test mule pro stock engine digitized the port. There is a cross section tool he tweaked the cross section in the port, ported all the ports using the machine. It picked up 30hp, and this sold Warren to buy the machine.
Such an amazing video, thank you guys!
Our pleasure!
Mitchell Look into Okuma CNC machines. They have or had a place in Charlotte. I was there and RCR uses there stuff and also those machines are used in manufacturing of driveline components here in NC.
Once again thank you so much for this content
thanks man!
Loved the video and knowledge it shares .
Cue SpongeBob saying “I’m ready” nonstop until the video premieres
Spongebob is awesome
Lovin' the Mullet Mitch.
That cat engine looks very similar to some locomotive engines I've seen. Which I don't know if the still do or not but if you traced back the majority ownership of E.M.D. (Electro-Motive Division) it points to CAT. Which was once owned by GM. I was a conductor/engineer for 15 years. Mechanical things have always peaked my interest. Love the videos👍
thanks man! they did have some locomotive blocks
Cat owns the old emd plant in Chicago. I drive by it last year. Think it’s called progress rail now.
Cool stuff that your putting out
Very interesting Kenworth Truck Co. Also began in Seattle in 1923!
I don't wanna wait longer :(
Perfectly timed video with watching Steve Morris’ SML creation series
Yes, that job on the Model T was boring. That is why they called it the "boring bar"... 😂😂😁😁🤟🤟
What a fun episode! It's cool to see that this company culture is coming back. Small to medium businesses which are the backbone of pretty much everything... 😎✌️
😂 thanks man 💪🏻
Great video thanks
Stock car is looking really good 👍
thank you sir!
Awesome ! Thanks !
You're welcome!
Cool video thanks for sharing
thank you for being here for it!
Amazing vid Mitch! Love the new look of the car, you going to put diecast of the car on your store?
I wish. Diecasts have a minimum order quantity and are expensive