The American Machine Tools Blog covers subjects related to metal working machinery, manufacturing and the industrial marketplace.

Febuary, 2011:
Becoming a customer:
When you become our customer, you get sales people with nearly 100 years of industry experience between them. Get our experience working for you. We can help you choose amoung the many different machinery choices to do your work. Our sales staff has worked designing machinery, building machinery, designing dies, working as a machinist, tool and die making, metal parts forming, etc. There is no substitute for actual experience.

January, 2011:
American Machine Tools customer SpaceX to fly to International Space Station:
When SpaceX flies its Dragon spacecraft on an unmanned mission to the International Space Station in 2012, our customer will be the first company to do so. In December 2010, SpaceX became the first commercial company to send a spacecraft into orbit and back. The commercial effort is part of a competition between private companies including SpaceX, Boeing and Sierra Nevada to be the first to create a spacecraft capable of replacing the US space shuttle which retired earlier this year. The first manned mission by a private company is not expected until at least 2015. In the meantime the only way for the world's astronauts to get to the Orbiting Space Station is via one of the Russian Soyuz spacecraft. Another customer of American Machine Tools Company has been to space: NASA.

December, 2011:
American Machine Tools offers more machines made in USA:
We now offer over 500 different models of metalworking machines made in America. Our recent additions include Belt Grinding machines from Burr-King, Abrasive Saws from Everett and Beveling machines from Heck Industries. If you are an American, buying a machine made in the USA is good for many reasons:
1. Get a better quality long lasting machine.
2. Good for our economy by keeping your money ins the USA.
3. Feel good about your patriotism.
4. Get tech support direct from the factory.
5. Future spare parts are easy to get.

December, 2011:
U.S. manufacturing still growing, but at slower pace:
Factory orders fell by 0.4 per cent in October, the Commerce Department reported, for the second straight month. But business activity, prices paid, and new orders all posted gains. The Commerce Department report showed demand for so-called core capital goods, a good proxy for business investment, fell 0.8 per cent. Still, that's after two months of solid increases in that category, caused by increased demand for computers and heavy machinery. Manufacturers increased their stockpiles by 0.9 per cent in October after more modest increases in previous months, which normally shows they are optimistic about future sales.

November, 2011:
Manufacturers order more Machine Tools:
September U.S. manufacturing technology orders added up to $606 million according to figures from the American Machine Tool Distributors' Association and the Association For Manufacturing Technology. This was up 23% from August and up 52% when compared with the total of $399 million reported for September 2010. So far, the year to date total is $4,074 million, so 2011 is up 92% compared with 2010.

November, 2011:
Tax Law Gives Manufacturers a boost:
The tax law enacted President Obama's proposal to increase bonus depreciation to 100% for new equipment purchased and placed in service through December 31, 2011. The new law also includes important provisions that reduce business costs and incentivize innovation and R&D. So, what are you waiting for? It is unlikely there will ever be a better time to buy a new machine. If you want to get a 100% tax write off, you can start by requesting a quote for your next metalworking machine.

October, 2011:
Read our new safety webpage:
Please read our newly created webpage about machinery safety. Nothing is more important the in the metalworking industry that preventing horrible accidents. Though we always had a links to the OSHA machinery safety website to help the customers, our new safety webpage is written to help you understand the dangers if you ignore safety. Because fingers, hands, and lives are more important than the short term profit made from ignoring safety.

October, 2011:
CNC Machinists report low job satisfaction:
According a survey of many thousands of employees conducted in 2011, CareerBliss determined the 10 most hated jobs, rated on a scale of 1 to 10. In almost all cases, respondents reported that the factors causing the most job dissatisfaction were not lousy pay. It was found that limited growth opportunities and lack of reward seemed to drive the misery index up more than anything else. The 9th most disliked job was CNC machinist. CNC machinists operate computer numerical controlled machines. Basically, alathe or a mill with a computer attached. On the upside, it renders obsolete processes that used to be performed by hand, at a slow pace and with high risk to quality and safety. Now that the CNC operator has had most of the physical hazards of manufacturing replaced by a machine, there's not a lot to do but push buttons and perform equipment inspections to make sure the tooling is correct and that the coolant is at a safe level. Since it's a specialized skill, the job offers no room for advancement, which apparently caused respondents to report a high degree of dissatisfaction.

September, 2011:
The August Manufacturing Numbers are in:
Companies ordered more machinery, computers and communication equipment in August, a positive sign for the slumping U.S. economy. An increase in demand for those kind of longer-lasting factory goods suggests businesses are sticking with their investment plans, despite slow growth and weak consumer spending. Though overall orders for durable goods slipped 0.1 percent last month, shipments of longer-lasting factory goods rose 2.8 percent, the fourth consecutive gain in this category. In July, demand for those goods surged 10.2 percent which is largest increase in eight years. But Economists look more closely at a 1.1 percent increase in a key category that measures business investment plans. Those are core capital goods that are neither used for defense nor transportation. The National Association for Business Economics is forecasting 2.2 percent growth in the second half of this year.

September, 2011:
Consider an American Car:
Rarely do we purchase something that creates jobs more than a car. Especially for those of us who work with machine tools. The next time you care looking to buy one, make sure you visit a GM, Ford or Chrysler Dealer to look at the American made choices. We Americans make good cars. When you buy an American car, it usually was designed in the USA, engineered in the USA, fabricated in the USA, and assembled in the USA. Also most of the spare parts, machinery, computers and software used to produce the cars is purchased from American companies. Back in the 1970s, General Motors Corporation was responsible for nearly 1% of the Gross Domestic Product of the whole USA. Imagine that. Think about the huge contribution you make to the American economy when you buy a new car.

August, 2011:
Our Machine Tool sales are up in August:
The number and size of machines ordered from American Machine Tools Company grew significantly in August compared to previous months. Some rather large machines were ordered. This probably indicates an upsurge in manufacturing. Is this jump in purchases the beginning of a long term trend for metalworking machinery? Or is it just one big month of pent up demand being released? Only time will tell. Normally the month of August is very quiet due to many managers taking their vacation time.

July, 2011:
Manufacturing is still growing:
The economy expanded at faster 1.3 percent annual rate in the April-June period after a meager 0.4 percent increase in the January-March period. But manufacturing output, employment, and prices paid my manufacturers all grew more slowly in July than in June. The manufacturing sector has expanded for 23 straight months. In a separate report, the Commerce Department said builders began work on more projects in June, pushing construction spending higher for a third straight month.

June, 2011:
Se Habla Espanol!
Hemos añadido muchas categorías individuales en español. Si desea hacer preguntas acerca de nuestra maquinaria en español, llame a nuestra oficina. Nosotros podemos ayudarle.
tornos metal, plegadora de mano, guillotinas hidraulicas, maquinas trabajo hierro,

May, 2011:
Measuring Tools for boring cutters:
We now manufacture and sell a Cutting Tool Adjuster that mounts on our square carbide boring cutter to set the height within .001 inch.

April, 2011:
Habla Espanol?
Hemos traducido algunos de nuestro sitio web en español. Clic para ver nuestra página web máquinas para trabajo metal en español. Todas las semanas vamos a añadir una nueva sección en español.

March, 2011:
Our website has added more:
If you ever need a CNC plasma table visit our website. We have added the EasyCut CNC line of pasma cutting table with your choice of Hypertherm or Thermal Dynamics plasma cutting torches to give you high definition plasma cutting capability. Sizes available go from a small 4 x 4 feet table up to the large 6 x 12 feet table model. All 4 sizes are made in USA.

February, 2011:
Do you have a video of you line boring with our Q150 system?
If you do, American Machine Tools is offering a reward of up to $300 for a video over 1 minute long showing you setting up, using and removing a Q150 portable line boring machine. Our new customers are interested in seeing how other customers used our Q150 system to rebore pivot holes. Videos must be shorter than 5 minutes long. If you have some photos you would like to share, we offer a bunch of free carbide cutting tools in exchange.

January, 2011:
Our website has grown:
In the past few months we have added extra webpages dedicated to metal cutting Cold Saws and Dake Arbor Presses and Pipe & Tube Notchers and educational information and this blog. Check back regularly as we add more to serve you better. Have a suggestion? Contact us.

December, 2010:
Section 179 End of Year Machinery Purchase Tax Deduction:
If you are thinking of waiting until next year to buy the metalworking machine you want, think again. The United States government is allowing an immediate 50% to 100% business tax deduction (section 179) on machinery up to $500,000 if purchased before December 31, 2010 under certain conditions. To qualify at the 100% deduction level, check with your accountant to prevent any technicalities from changing part of your immediate tax write off into a gradually depreciated tax write off.

November, 2010:
Machine Tool Sales up:
The first nine months of 2010 show U.S. sales of machine tools and related equipment are up 74% over the same nine months of 2009. At this rate, we should quickly return to 2008 levels. U.S. factory output grew for the 16th straight month in November. Manufacturing has been one of the strongest sectors of the economy since the recession ended. After slowing over the summer, factories have picked up in recent months as consumer demand for autos, computers and other goods has rebounded.

October, 2010:
Quantitative Easing:
The Federal Reserve of the United States is currently flooding the financial markets with easy money to stimulate the U.S. economy. This should drive down interest rates and make it easier for banks to lend money. The downside to the U.S. Dollar is inflation which can be seen in the runup in gold prices and commodities important to manufacturing such as steel, aluminum, oil, etc.

September, 2010:
New Line Boring Tools:
We now manufacture several tools to assist with reboring holes using our portable boring equipment. Our Centering-Measuring Tool will accurately measure holes while the boring bar is still in the hole. Our custom made Grooving Cutting Tool is an inexpensive way to cut a retaining ring groove inside a hole.

August, 2010:
Made in USA is making a comback:
Manufacturing products in America is making a comeback. The recession has held wages down in the US, making them more competitve. Meanwhile Chinese labor costs are going up and so is the value of the Chinese currency compared to the US Dollar. Also, some people are trying to buy American made products for patriotic reasons to help our economy as well as the usual reasons of quality, safety, tech support and spare parts availabilty. Expanded tax cuts for Research and Development work should also promote more purchases of the kind of capital equipment often made in USA.

July, 2010:
New Fein Powerfeed Magnetic Drill Press for our Q150 Line Boring Equipment:
American Machine Tools Company and Fein Power Tools USA are proud to announce that the Fein KBM-80U-AutoLB is now available as a Magnetic Drill Press option to drive the Q150 line of portable hole boring bars from American Machine Tools Corp. The Fein KBM-80U-AutoLB allows line boring in Manual or Auto-Feed mode. Unlike other Fein magnetic drill presses, the KBM-80U-AutoLB is specially equipped with a 3/4 inch chuck for driving the Q150 boring shafts. The German made quality is remarkable and will provide many years of use. The Q150 portable line boring tools enable your magnetic drill press to rebore pivot holes in cranes, backhoes, endloaders, excavators, tractors, machinery frames, steel mill ladles, bridge support pivots, etc.

June, 2010:
Chinese labor costs going up, currency value going up:
The Chinese have finally uncoupled their currency (Yuan) from the US Dollar. They are allowing it to rise in value from the long time rate of 6.83 Yuan per Dollar. This should quickly cause Chinese made machine tools and other equipment to cost more in the US. Simultaneously, Chinese manufacturers are reporting that employees are very unhappy (with some resorting to suicide). The Chinese workers are demanding higher pay, better working conditions and less brutal work hours. This will raise costs for Chinese factories and their customers. While this is good news for many American manufacturers whose prices should soon be more competitive, it is bad news for American importers of Chinese made machinery and equipment since they will lose some of their pricing advantage.

May, 2010:
Industrial Rebound Taking Hold with Inventory Replacement, Exports:
The Institute for Supply Management reports that its Purchasing Managers Index was 59.7 percent in May. At that level, the index is well above the 50 percent growth threshold. Replacing of depleted inventories seems to be driving an improved domestic demand. Healthy gains in exports is another reason to hope for an industrial rebound.

April, 2010:
Our New Q88E Boring Equipment:
American Machine Tools Company introduces its newest boring setup using a small 7/8 inch diameter boring shaft capable of boring holes down to 1 inch diameter and up to 1 1/2 inch. The Q88 includes a manual feed drill press mechanism and is driven by a Milwaukee drill. As with all line boring equipment from American Machine Tools Company, the Q88 includes everything you need including enough carbide cutters to complete your job. We also offer a lower cost Q88A add on option for use with our Q150 equipment.
Coming soon: New Fein Magnetic Drill Press with Auto-Feed for our Q150!

March, 2010:
Economic Climate for Manufacturing in the USA:
Lets face it. We are still struggling to work our way out of this recession. But this recession was deeper than any other we have seen in our lifetime. Do you remember the past few recessions? The 2001 recession started out bad and just as things started to improve September 11 knocked us down again. The stock market took a much longer time to recover than this time. The 1991 recession cost the first President Bush the election to Bill Clinton. My father almost lost his consulting engineering company. The 1981 recession was a very scary time for me. I remember working for a machine builder far from home who paid extra low wages since there was so many good people out of work. The 1973 Arab Oil Embargo caused a recession with very high gas prices, shortages and long lines at gas stations while the US was still recovering from the expensive Vietnam War. Currently our problems seem to stem from a real estate bubble and all the debt our country took on to fight two wars after a big tax cut. But the stock market has recovered quicker than last time. In retrospect things don't seem so bad if you aren't one of the unemployed Americans whose home is in foreclosure. We feel optimistic. If we work hard, invest in productivity and buy American (when still possible), manufacturing can help lead us out of this recession.

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