THOUGHTS AFTER 25 YEARS OF MANUFACTURING:

If it was designed to run .032 aluminum, it probably won’t last long running 1/8 stainless.

If you replace the pins, replace the bushings also.

Yes, I can heat treat tool steel with a torch, but I won’t do it.

All blanking, piercing, forming, and drawing operations run better with lubrication even if it’s hard to clean off and not in the budget.

If someone is willing to give you a press, you probably don’t want it.

Sharpening punches on a pedestal grinder cost you money in the long run.

Please don’t tell me how well you maintain your tooling when the pins and bushings have welded themselves together due to lack of grease.

It is possible to case harden cold roll, but we have to draw the line somewhere.

Between my employees and myself we have 8 mortgages, 12 auto loans, 14 college tuitions, various doctor fees, and enormous grocery bills to pay for. So even though we look worn and tired, we are enthusiastic about your project.

We have every piece of CNC equipment available. Our inspection units are accurate to the 10th of a thousandth. So please don’t double check us with a tape measure.

A good press operator is worth his weight in gold. Take care of him.

We just spent 4 hours aligning every cutting edge on your die. Please don’t use a sledgehammer and crow bar to take it apart.

When you order an expensive, short run, low end, one time die, we’ll build an inexpensive, short run, low end, one time die.

Delivery is everything. A deadline unmade cost everybody reputation and money. Here, a first day apprentice is taught this along with how to sweep the floors.

The sharing of information via e-mail, fax, or meeting is key to any project. Between myself, yourself, and our crews it’s all achievable the first time, on time.

Everything, absolutely everything, is in writing.

Yes we can do it cheaper and we will as soon as the banks, the government, and our supplies do.

And finally: I’ve built and nurtured this business since it’s infancy. Along with my family it’s all I care about. When it was struggling I was there. When it had success I cheered. But if I happen to hit the lottery the keys to the joint will be by the drill presses.

(Please send me any of your “thoughts” and I’ll add them to the list.)