|
Machine
Tool Blog
|
|||||
 |
|||||
The American Machine Tool BLOG covers metalworking machinery, tools, fabrication, machining, manufacturing and the industrial marketplace.
|
November,
2024: |
 |
| October,
2024: Did You Know that the FMA Offers Onsite Training?: Yes they do. The FMA can organize training classes at your facility to meet the needs of your company and your employees. Because your employees can put the training to use right away, your company will get a fast return on the investment: The improved quality, productivity, and scrap reduction will pay off quickly. The FMA also offers lowcost webinars and eLearning courses to educate your workforce to be the best they can be. Visit fmamfg.org for more info. |
 |
| September,
2024: Fabtech Machinery Show in Orlando this October 15 - 17: The Orange County Convention Center in Orlando will host the Fabtech machinery show starting Tuesday October 15. This is North America's largest Fabricating, Finishing, Metal Forming and Welding Machine Tool Show with over 1500 exhibitors. Make sure to register online by October 12 to get in free. |
 |
| August,
2024: Get 20% Off a Powerlink Machine with Ironworker Purchase: Thats right. Buy any Edwards Ironworker Machine with the free hydraulic powerlink before Sptember 30 and get 20 percent off your choice of any of these powerful machines that can connect to the hydraulic powerlink of you new Ironworker such as the 10 Ton Pipe Bender, 20 Ton Shop Press, 40 Ton Shop Press, 60 Ton Shop Press, 110 Ton Shop Press, Radius Bender, or Horizontal Press Brake. |
 |
| July,
2024: Modern Machine Shop offers a CNC Retrofit Webinar by Fagor: Fagor discusses the possibility of upgrading existing machine tools with modern CNC control systems This webinar is designed to provide valuable advice to manufactures, machine shops, service people and anyone curious about converting their old machines. TOPICS: * Understanding CNC Retrofits and when it is worth retrofitting a manual machine verses purchasing a CNC machine. * Expert insights on CNC system choices. * which machines retrofit easier. * Detailed case studies and applications explaining common problems occuring during retrofits, the solutions and the benefits of Fagor CNC. |
 |
| June,
2024: Introducing the New Champion AC120 Magnetic Drill Press: The most powerful portable magnetic drill press we know of. 1700 Watts (2.2 HP), 10 inch stroke, 4 variable speed ranges and lightweight make this machine great for portable line boring. And before we ship it to you we add a 3/4 inch drill chuck and we install a set screw collar on the spindle to prevent the morse taper arbor from pulling out during reverse line boring. The photo at right shows the drill press installed in our channel shaped adapter base for portable line boring. Click to see a VIDEO of the Champion Magnetic Drill Press boring a hole |
 |
| May,
2024: Imagine a 30 foot long Press Brake Machine! Do you need 30 foot long pieces of metal bent? or 24 foot? In one piece? One of our customers in Modesto California has a huge 30 foot long 750 Ton Cincinnati Press Brake machine. One of only a few in the country. They just set it up with brand new tooling from American Machine Tools Company. To get a quote to have JMC AG Welding Company bend your long parts call John at 209-402-9901. |
 |
| April,
2024: Vacation for free in Mexico: go to Fabtech de Mexico May 7 to 9 and let your company pay for it: Visit Fabtech in Monterrey Mexico; Meet suppliers that can manufacture components for your company which will allow you to reshore your manufacturing from far away China. |
|
| March,
2024: Buy an Edwards Ironworker - get the Hydraulic Powerlink FREE: Are you waiting for a great reason to buy the Ironworker Machine you always wanted? Well, wait no more! From April 1 until June 1, we are giving away the optional Hydraulic Powerlink system for FREE with every Edwards Hydraulic Ironworker Machine size 55 Ton or larger! The Hydraulic Powerlink option allows you to connect another machine to the hydraulic pump of your Edwards Ironworker. The Edwards factory makes 7 different machines that can connect to the hydraulic power of the pump on your Ironworker, including the 10 ton pipe bender, 20 ton tabletop shop press, 40 ton shop press, 60 ton shop press, 110 ton shop press, roll bending machine and the 20 ton horizontal press brake. The Hydraulic Powerlink can NOT be added later, so get it now for FREE! But dont wait because this opportunity expires June 1st. |
 |
| February,
2024: Edwards 40 Ton Ironworker $9999 until stock models are sold: The factory has too many in stock so Edwards is selling their 40 ton Ironworker machines for only $9999 until all the stock machines are sold. And you can add a Coper-Notcher or Press Brake Tool for only $500 extra. Its a nice machine that punches holes, cuts flat steel, cuts angle iron and much more. So act fast if you are interested in getting the swiss army knife of machines at a discount. |
 |
| January,
2024: American Machine Tools is looking to hire an experienced Metal Fabricator: 20 hours per week part time Metal Fabricator wanted in our office to help our customers that call us needing help to choose the correct size metalworking machine and tooling. Experience working with press brake dies is important. Must be able to use Microsoft Word and Email. Also need a willingness to help with building our custom made wood tool boxes. Our office is wheelchair accessible. This could be a great job for someone semi-retired in the Chicago area. |
 |
| December,
2023: Was 2023 Profitable? Buy a Machine and get a Tax Deduction: 1. Choose the metalworking machine you want. Buy it before December 31. 2. Any metalworking machine purchased by your company may qualifiy for the IRS Section 179 tax deduction. 3. Most small businesses can deduct 100 percent of the machine cost off your 2023 tax return for any machinery you purchase before December 31. 4. The maximum tax deduction is $1,160,000. The total amount a company can spend on new equipment before you begin to phase out your $1,160,000 maximum deduction is $2,890,000. 5. The IRS Section 179 Tax Deduction can also work if you finance or lease a machine. 6. This tax deduction applies to S-Corps, C-Corps, and LLCs. 7. Ask your tax advisor for an estimate of your 2023 profit. 8. Please note that some large machines are not currently in stock and can take a few months to get. |
 |
| November,
2023: 15 percent off all Baileigh Machines: From November 22 to November 29, 2023, ALL Baileigh machines are at 15% off their normal price. This is a great opportunity to buy a pipe bender or band saw or other machine at a lower price. |
 |
| October
2023: Buy a 60 Ton or larger Ironworker Machine and Get a FREE 10 ton Pipe Bender or FREE 20 ton Shop Press: From October 1 until November 30 you can get a FREE 10 ton Pipe Bender or a FREE 20 ton tabletop Shop Press to connect to the hydraulic pump on your Edwards Ironworker machine IF you order your new Edwards Ironworker 60 tons or larger with the Optional Hydraulic Powerlink before November 30. The Optional Hydraulic Powerlink allows your Ironworker to power an Edwards Pipe Bender, Shop Press, Radius Roller or Horizontal Press Brake. So hurry up and order your new machine and get a new 10 ton pipe bender or 20 ton press for FREE! The normal price for one of these free machines is $4379. |
 |
| September,
2023: Order an Edwards 55 Ton Ironworker Machine this month and get a Free Press Brake Tool or Free Coper-Notcher: Thats right. If you buy a made in America Edwards 55 Ton Ironworker Machine during September 2023 you will get a free Press Brake Tool or free Coper-Notcher and 8 free round punch & die sets. Once you buy an Edwards Ironworker you wont be using your drill press or bandsaw much anymore because it will punch holes and cut steel in a few seconds, not minutes. Call our office for a price. |
  |
| August,
2023: Fabtech Machinery Show in Chicago September 11 - 14: The McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago will host the Fabtech machinery show starting Monday Sept 11. This is North America's largest Metal Forming, Fabricating, Welding and Finishing Machine Tool Show covering 800,000 square feet so wear comfortable shoes. The show is free if you register online before September 8. There will be morning keynote speakers and expensive conferences that focus on Emerging Technologies and Advancements in Robots. Next year, Fabtech will be in Monterrey Mexico May 7-9, Toronto Canada June 11-13, Orlando Florida October 15-17. |
|
|
August,
2023: Yellow Freght Company (YRC) started August by announcing they are filing for bankruptsy. We did not see that coming. They were our favorite trucking company. Good prices and we loved that they did not lose or damage our freight for 20 years. We will miss them. Our backup plan is to try FreightQuote or Unishipper. Those are companies that give prices of multiple trucking companies for us to choose from. So far so good but we are looking for another Yellow to fall in love |
 |
| July,
2023: American Machine Tools has an A+ Rating with the BBB: Since buying a metalworking machine is a big investment, make sure you buy from a good ethical company that will take good care of you. The easiest way to do that is to check the Better Business Bureau. American Machiune Tools has had an A+ Rating with the BBB since 2009. |
|
| June,
2023: AMT introduces the Boring Bar Extender: This Boring Bar Extender is the solution for those instances when the depth of the hole you are line boring exceeds the stroke on your magnetic drill press or powerfeed. Available in 1.50 or 1.75 diameters. You do not need to move your carbide cutter. Instead you can attach this extender on the end of your AMT line boring shaft in order to line bore an extra 5 inches deeper. |
|
|
May,
2023: Many Features: Full 180 degree Bends in One Stroke. Dual cylinder rotary draw bending eliminates the need to reset and re-pin the die mid bend. Open type Drop on Tooling reduces friction and wall deformation. Fast die changes. Same dies fit Baileigh machines. Hundreds of dies are in stock. Steel Cart with wheels. Auto-Stop function for repeatable bends. Ideal for production work. |
 |
| April,
2023: Order an Ironworker Machine before June 30 and get a Free Notcher or Press Brake Tool AND a Free Productivity Tool Kit: You get a load of FREE equipment if you buy an Edwards 40 Ton, 55 Ton or 100 Ton Hydraulic Ironworker Machine before June 30, 2023. You will get a free Coper-Notcher or a free Press Brake Tool AND you will also get a free Productivity Tool Kit that includes 10 round punch & die sets, a positioning table with positioning bars for the hole puncher, a back gauge for positioning in the flat bar shear and angle iron shear, a protractor for angle cuts, a quick change punching assembly, and a nice LED worklight. Your company will boost productivity, and also, get a nice tax deduction for 2023. |
|
|
March, 2023: Mark Your Calender for Important Upcoming Events in the World of Metalworking: Manufacturers
and Suppliers Event in Chicago, April 18
Worldclass Rollforming Workshop - Elgin Illinois, April 18 - 19
Safety
Conference - Elgin Illinois, May 9 - 10 Fabtech
Machinery Show in Mexico City, May 16 - 18 Fabtech
Machinery Show in Toronto Canada, June 11 - 13 Advanced
Laser Applications - Novi Michigan, June 13 - 15 Fabtech
Machinery Show in Chicago, September 11 - 14 |
|
|
February,
2023: Should you register when asked or should you just say no to the unpaid extra work and risky terms and conditions? You decide. |
 |
| January,
2023: Want to make dished ends on your liquid storage tanks? If you have been making storage tanks with your plate rolling machine but have been limited to making your tanks with flat ends, then you should click the link to look at our machines for flanging and dishing tank ends. Machines for diameters from 20 inches up to 33 feet. Capacity from 14 gauge up to 2 inches thick. Imagine the tank building possibilities. |
 |
| December,
2022: Last chance to Buy a Machine for a 2022 Tax Deduction: If you buy a metalworking Machine or Tooling for your company you will get a nice tax deduction for 2022 because you can deduct all the cost off your 2022 tax return for any machinery you purchase before December 31. You can also take the IRS Section 179 Tax Deduction if you lease or finance a machine. All C-Corps, S-Corps, LLCs, quality but DBA Companies do not. This is much better than the old days when you had to amortize your deduction slowly over 5 years. Consult with your tax preparer about how much was your company's 2022 profit, then check the AmericanMachineTools.com website for the machine you want to grow your company with! |
|
| November,
2022: Still Want an Ironworker Machine? Order before December 28 and get a Free Press Brake Tool or Notcher AND a Free Productivity Tool Kit: Get lots of free stuff if you buy an Edwards 100 Ton, 55 Ton or 40 Ton Hydraulic Ironworker Machine before December 28. Free what? You will get a free Press Brake Tool or a free Coper-Notcher AND you will also get a free Productivity Tool Kit that includes 10 round punch & die sets, a positioning table with guide bars for the hole puncher, a back positioning gauge for the flat bar shear and angle iron shear, a protractor for angle cuts, a quick change punching assembly, and a nice LED worklight. And best of all, your company can get a nice year end tax deduction. But the freebies end on December 28, 2022. |
|
|
October,
2022:
Machine Safe Guarding Certificate Course - Elgin, Illinois Oct 4.
|
|
|
September,
2022: September
13-14, 2022: |
|
| August,
2022: Need an Ironworker Machine? Get a Free Notcher or Brake Tool AND a Free Productivity Tool Kit: Thats right! If you buy an Edwards 40 Ton, 55 Ton or 100 Ton Ironworker Machine between August 12 - September 7 of 2022, you will get a free Coper-Notcher or free Press Brake Tool AND you will also get a free Productivity Tool Kit that includes 10 round punch & die pairs, a punch gauging table with fence bars, a back gauge for the bar shear and angle shear, a fabricators protractor, a quick change punch assembly, and a super bright LED light. Dont miss this chance to get it all. Our deadline is 3pm on September 7. |
|
| July,
2022: Recession? Federal Reserve numbers show that U.S. metal fabrication work is growing, not shrinking: Though capacity utilization for manufacturing fell 0.5 percentage point from May to June to 79.3 percent it is still 1.1 percentage points above its long-term average. But even more important to most of our customers is that Fabricated Metal Products work during first half of 2022 grew by 3.6% compared to first half of 2021. And Machinery Sales grew by 5.4%. What does this tell us? It means that most Machine Shops and Fab Shops are more busy than ever with no slowdown in sight. But if a minor slowdown caused steel prices to fall that would be good news. |
 |
| June,
2022: How to Tune Up your Hydraulic Press Brake: Is your hydraulic vertical press brake machine so old and tired that it does not bend metal the way it used to? Here is a list of things to check and change to get your old press brake working better again. 1. Is your ram coming down with full force like it used to? If you have a tonnage indicator, check it. 2. Check your press brake dies. Are your dies showing signs of wear? When the V-opening of your bottom die gets rounded, its time to replace it. When the tip of your punch gets worn down, its time to replace it. 3. Are your depth stops set correctly or are they set too high or too low for proper air bending of your metal? 4. Check the hydraulic oil level in the pump tank. Some tanks have a sight glass, some tanks have a dipstick. Add oil if needed. 5. Is the hydraulic oil filter so dirty that it reduces the flow of hydraulic oil? 6. Is your hydraulic oil so old and dirty that the dirt is harming your cylinder seals, your valve seals or your pump seals and it has lost some of its viscosity? Change it. There should be a drain plug at the bottom of the tank. If not you can pump the oil out, A cheap hand pump or one that is powered by an electric drill will do it. 7. If you are in a hot climate, maybe your pump is running too hot, which would thin the hydraulic oil and reduce the power at the cylinders. You can add a hydraulic oil cooler or first try having a strong fan blow on your pump. 8. Is each cylinder getting equal hydraulic pressure? If not, maybe you have a bad valve. 9. Is one of your hydraulic cylinders leaking externally? 10. Or maybe one or both of your cylinders has a worn out internal seal that is letting oil pass by. 11. Is the bed of your press brake not flat or slightly crowned a few thousandths of an inch upward? If not you may be getting excessive bed deflection downward and need to adjust the crowning of the bed by adjusting inward the little wedges that some manufacturers put under the bed. 12. Is your control system working OK? If you are having sensor issues or NC or CNC program issues, it is probably time to call the manufacturer to get advice. Bringing a service tech in to fix it is very expensive so leave that option for last. But cell phones with Zoom, Skype or facetime allow you to show the technician the problem you are experiencing and perform his recommended troubleshooting procedures while he watches. 13. If all these efforts dont improve your old machine, consider buying a new hydraulic press brake machine. |
|
| May,
2022: Upcoming Seminars, Webinars and Shows for Machine Shops and Fab Shops: Seminar: June 23, 2:00pm Metal 3D Printing for Machine Shops: Moden Machine Shop Online Webinar: On Demand Facing the Machinist Shortage: Modern Machine Shop Online FABTECH Canada: Trade Show Convention Toronto, Ontario: June 14 - 16. Seminar: Hands-on Metal Fabrication Fundamentals Workshop: FMA Palatine, Illinois: July 18 - 20. |
|
|
April,
2022: One example is our American factory that manufacturers sleet metal slitting machines; the gearmotors they need have been on back order for many months. Production has stopped. The other example is our machines from China and Taiwan that take much longer to import than in the past and the shipping container costs 4 times the price it did before the pandemic. Though these problems are beyond our control, we are experienced at calculating prices for our machines and estimating the lead time to within a month. The lesson is to be careful what supplier you buy from and realize that some machines have a long lead time if they are not in stock. |
 |
| March,
2022: When Oil is $100 a barrel, its time to make Oil Storage Tanks: You see them in Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Colorado and North Dakota. Pump Jack style Oil Rigs. They produce between 2 to 15 barrels of oil per day. That is a tiny fraction of the 1.7 billion barrels of oil per year that is pumped out of the ground in Texas but at $100 per barrel it becomes worth powering up a pump jack rig again. The last time oil was this price was 2008. If you are a fabricator you must be wondering where are they putting all that oil when they first pump it out? The answer: they put the oil in storage tanks. The tanks are often 1/4 inch thick and built in 5 foot long (or tall) sections that are welded together to make a leak proof tank that is 15 feet, 16 feet, 20 feet or 30 feet long (or tall). A tank that is 10 feet diameter x 15 feet will hold 210 barrels of oil, a tank 15.5 feet diameter x 30 feet will hold 1000 barrels of oil. The small tanks are usually horizontal and the large tanks are usually vertical. This could be a money making opportunity for a fabricator with a plate rolling machine capable of rolling 1/4 x 5 foot steel or larger. If you want to make storage tanks, click to see our plate rolling machines. |
  |
| February,
2022: How to get a free American Machine Tools Hat: Though few of us look as beautiful as the beautiful super model on the right, you would definitely look good wearing an original American Machine Tools baseball hat. Our hats are one size fits all with an easy to adjust velcro strap in back. The hat comes free when you purchase Q150 or Q175 Portable Line Boring Equipment manufactured in Chicago, Illinois. Our equipment includes everything you need to get started repairing excavators, back hoes, endloaders, cranes and machinery frames. Click to see our portable Line Boring Machines. |
 |
| January,
2022: JET introduces their brand new 45 Ton Ironworker: With the indroductory price of only $6499, the Jet 45 ton Ironworker appears to be the least expensive American made Ironworker Machine available. The machine cuts 3 x 3 x 1/4 angle iron and cuts 8 inch wide x 1/4 thick flat bar. The punching assembly can punch a 1 inch hole thru 1/2 inch steel and a rod shear is built in for cutting 7 sizes of round rod. Plug this 700 pound machine into any 115 volt electrical outlet. Though it may be manufactured at the Edwards factory, and fits their punch & die sets, Jet put their name on it for the purpose of selling it at a lower cost than the Edwards 40 ton. Call our office or click the link below to get our formal price and more information. Click to request price and specifications be sent to you |
 |
| December,
2021: Time is Almost Up to Buy a Machine for a 2021 Tax Deduction: Any metalworking Machine or Tooling purchased by your company can qualify for the 2021 tax deduction. You will be able to deduct all the cost off your 2021 tax return for any machinery you purchase before December 31 up to a maximum of a $1,050,000 business tax deduction (thats over one million dollars). You can also take the IRS Section 179 Tax Deduction if you lease or finance a machine. All C-Corps, S-Corps, LLCs, quality but DBA Companies do not. This is much better than the old days when you had to amortize your deduction slowly over 5 years. Consult with your tax preparer about how much was your company's 2021 profit, then check the AmericanMachineTools.com website for the machine you want to grow your company with! |
|
| November,
2021: Order Our Newest 48 page Color Catalog Today: American Machine Tools Company just updated and printed another 5000 catalogs to help you find your next profit making machine! On paper for easy reading. Each catalog has 48 pages of new metalworking machinery and tooling with helpful charts to calculate tonnage for bending and punching metal. A great year round magazine for the shop bathroom. Just click the link below and fill out the catalog request form and we will mail your free catalog to your home or office via first class mail: Click this to Request our new Catalog to be mailed to you |
|
| October,
2021: If 2021 Was Profitable, Its Time to Look For a Tax Deduction: • Start looking now for a metalworking machine you want. Buy it before December 31. Some machines have long lead times. • Any metalworking machine purchased by your company can qualify for the tax deduction. • Deduct 100 percent of the cost off your 2021 tax return for any machinery you purchase before December 31 up to a maximum of $1,050,000 business tax deduction (thats over one million dollars). • $2,620,000 is the total amount a company can spend on new equipment before you begin to lose your $1,050,000 maximum deduction. • The IRS Section 179 Tax Deduction will also work if you lease or finance a machine. • This tax deduction applies to C-Corps, S-Corps, LLCs, etc. • Ask your tax advisor for an estimate of your 2021 profit. • Thank our congress for a tax deduction that helps fabricators, machine shops and manufacturers to invest in themselves and grow their companies. |
|
| September,
2021: How to Buy or Sell your Machine Shop: Modern Machine Shop magazine presents an online conference September 27: Machine Shop Ownership Change Conference. If you are planning to sell your machine/fab shop, buy a machine/fab shop, or hand one down to family or employees then this online seminar could be good for you. The seminar includes presentations and panel discusions covering: * What Machine Shop Sellers Need to Know * How to Buy a Machine Shop * How to Plan for the Next Generation * What is Your Shop Actually Worth? * How to Reduce the Tax Consequences * How to Assume and Reduce Legal Liability Concerns * How to Attract Private Equity Buyers * How to Maximize the Value of Your Machine Shop Cost $249. To register, visit the Modern Machine Shop website. |
 |
| September,
2021: Fabtech Machinery Show in Chicago September 13 - 15: Come to the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago for the first Fabtech show since covid. And bring your covid mask. This is normally North America's largest Metal Forming, Fabricating, Welding and Finishing Machine Tool Show though attendance is expected to be a lot lower this year. There will be morning keynote speakers and panel discussions that focus on Emerging Manufacturing Industry Trends and Advancements. Next year (covid permitting), Fabtech will be in Toronto, Canada. |
|
|
August,
2021: Since steel is the main raw material for so many important things, a huge group of over 300 American manufacturers has written to President Biden to end this tax on imported steel. The big three US steel producers; Cleveland-Cliffs, Nucor, and US Steel have a super-profitable near monopoly that is killing the U.S. manufacturers. What
can you do to help? Write a nice official letter from your company
to President Biden asking him to end the 2018 Trade Tariff Tax (section
232) on steel imports: |
 |
|
July,
2021: Have you tried calling the local trade schools, careers centers and junior colleges? Every June they have another batch of graduates. Try one out on a 90 day probation period and demand that they pass certain online courses in machining or fabricating techniques that you require. If they dont make significant progress before their 90th day you let them go and try another. Or have you tried hiring a part time old timer? The USA has some retired metalworkers who would love to work 2 or 3 days per week to suplement their social security and get them out of the house. Perhaps you could team one of them up with the newbie mentioned in the previous paragraph to create a winning combination of an experienced metalworker willing to teach and an energetic newcomer willing to learn. |
 |
|
June,
2021: Even lumber prices went up. 113 percent in the last 12 months. Though it seems as though wood prices have stablized during early June there was a day where some lumber yards priced a 2 x 4 x 8 foot pine stud at over $10. Lets hope everybody calms down and orders a little less steel and wood until the suppliers can catch up to demand. We dont want this much inflation. |
|
| May,
2021: American Machine Tools Company is now a Verified Thomas Network Supplier: ThomasNet (formerly known as the Thomas Register) has confirmed that American Machine Tools Company has undergone a complete review and validation of its products and services. ThomasNet has verified that American Machine Tools Company is a north American supplier that provides accurate business information and is able to fulfill customer orders. This, along with our A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau should give you confidence that American Machine Tools is an ethical trustworthy machinery distributor. |
 |
| April,
2021: The Edwards Productivity Kit Offer Expires April 30: If you were planning on buying an Ironworker machine this year, hurry! Because on April 30 the offer expires to get a free productivity kit just for buying your Edwards Ironworker with the powerlink option. |
|
|
March,
2021: To Qualify: Just order your Edwards Ironworker Machine from American Machine Tools between April 1 and April 30, then fill out and email/mail in the promotion rebate form to the factory. |
 |
| February,
2021: Multiple Improvements to the AMT Line Boring Equipment: American Machine Tools Company was busy upgrading their Q150 and Q175 portable boring equipment during the year 2020. The improvements include: * X & Y axis fine adjustment of the far side bearing position. * Enlarged bearing mounting holes now provide more adjustment. * All positioning cones now have steel sleeves with set screws. * A carbide grinding tool is now included with each Q150 and Q175. * Shortcut user instructions are now mounted directly inside the lid. American Machine Tools is committed to constant quality and feature improvements to our portable line boring machines. Still made in USA. |
 |
|
January,
2021: |
|
| December,
2020: This is your final week to lock in a 2020 IRS Tax Deduction: Most business owners have until Decmber 31 to purchase a machine and be able to deduct 100% off the cost of your 2020 IRS Business Tax Return. Call our office at 1-773-334-5000 to place a tax deductible order. |
|
| December,
2020: Up to $750 Cash Back Rebate on an Edwards or Jet Machine: Buy an Edwards or Jet Machine before December 31 and get a tax free visa gift card from JPW (their parent company). If your machine costs $1000 or more, you can get a $100 visa gift card. If your machine costs $2000 or more, you can get a $200 visa gift card. If your machine costs $5000 or more, you can get a $500 visa gift card. If your machine costs $7500 or more, you can get a $750 visa gift card. This offer is only valid if we ship your machine to a U.S. address and you must fill out an online form and upload your receipt after the purchase. And you can also write off the expense on your IRS tax 2020 business taxes. But hurry! Offer ends December 30. |
 |
| November,
2020: Still Time to Get a 2020 IRS Tax Deduction for Machinery: • Buying any metalworking machine qualifies for the tax deduction. • Deduct 100 percent of the cost off your 2020 tax return for any machinery you purchase before December 31 up to a maximum $1,040,000 business tax deduction (thats over one million dollars). • The IRS Section 179 Tax Deduction also works if you lease or finance the machinery. • This tax deduction applies to C-Corps, S-Corps, LLCs, etc. • Thank our congress for helping industry. |
|
| October,
2020: 14,000 Machine Shops and Fab Shops Got PPP Loans: The Small Business Administration reported that approximately 14,000 metal fabrication companies in the USA received PPP Loans in 2020. Were you one of them? If your answer is yes, then make sure that you file your application for partial loan forgiveness with your bank. Your application should show your payroll, your rental lean or building mortgage and cancelled checks for the payments including utilities. Otherwise you will need to pay back 100% of the loan (but at only 1% interest). Loan repayments are deferred for 6 months. Loans issued prior to June 5 have a maturity of two years, and loans issued after June 5 have a maturity of five years. For more information visit www.SBA.gov. |
 |
| September,
2020: Buy a new 55 Ton or 100 Ton Ironworker: get a FREE Coper-Notcher or Press Brake Tool during October: Were you waiting until after coronavirus or the election to buy an Ironworker machine? Well, we are giving away your choice of a FREE Coper-Notcher Tool or a FREE Press Brake Tool with every new Edwards 55 Ton Ironworker or 100 Ton Jaws 4 Ironworker Machine purchased during October 2020. These tools cost over a thousand dollars each so this is a great time to buy an American made Edwards Ironworker to punch holes, cut steel or bend metal in just 3 seconds. But hurry, this offer expires October 31, 2020. |
 |
| August,
2020: 10% Off Edwards Pipe Benders, Radius Benders & Presses: From August 1, 2020 to August 31, 2020 you will get 10% Off List Price when you buy an Edwards PowerLink Machine such as the Pipe & Tube Bender, Radius Bender for rolling pipe, tube, angle and flat bar, Hydraulic Shop Press (20 ton, 40 ton, 60 ton or 110 ton), or the Horizontal Press Brake Machine. You will also get a $200 or $500 Visa Gift Card as explained below! |
 |
| July,
2020: Up to $500 Cash Back on your next Jet or Edwards Machine: Buy a Jet or Edwards Machine before September 15 and receive a tax free cash back visa gift card! If your machine costs over $1000 get $100 cash back, if your machine costs over $2000 get $200 cash back, if your machine costs over $5000 get $500 cash back. This offer is only valid for machines shipped to a U.S. address. |
|
| June,
2020: Lowest Prices of the year on JET Machine Tools in June: If you need a metalworking machine, this is the month to buy one because for the whole month of June you will get the lowest price of the year on a high quality JET metalworking machine with a 2 year warranty! And best of all, almost every JET machine is in stock for immediate delivery to you. |
 |
|
May,
2020: May,
2020: |
 |
| April,
2020: Buy an Edwards Ironworker - get the Hydraulic Powerlink FREE: Were you waiting to for the right time to buy an Ironworker Machine? From April 1 until April 30, we are giving away the optional Hydraulic Powerlink system for FREE with every Edwards Ironworker Machine size 55 Ton or larger! The Hydraulic Powerlink option allows you to connect another machine to the hydraulic pump of your Edwards Ironworker. The Edwards factory makes 7 different machines that can use the hydraulic power of the pump on your Ironworker, including a 10 ton pipe bender, 20 ton tabletop shop press, 40 ton, 60 ton, or 110 ton shop press, radius rolling machine or the 20 ton horizontal press brake. And more connectable machines are coming. Since this option can NOT be added later, this is a great opportunity to get it now for FREE! But hurry, this offer expires April 30. |
|
| March
2020: AMT is Open During the Corona Virus Epidemic: American Machine Tools Company will be open with a reduced staff during the COVID19 Virus emergency. If you call our office and there is no answer, we may be busy with other customers so please call back or leave a message or email us. In the meantime, stay at least 6 feet away from people or wear a filter mask to stay safe and healthy. |
 |
|
February
2020: More
free online OSHA Safety Training For
advice on guarding old machinery, help can also be found on another
website: www.manufacturingsafety.com |
 |
| January
2020: Buy an Ironworker, Get a FREE Pipe Bender or Shop Press: From February 1 until February 29 you can get a FREE 10 ton Pipe Bender or 20 ton tabletop Shop Press to connect to the hydraulic pump on your Edwards Ironworker machine IF you order your new Edwards Ironworker 55 tons or larger with the Optional Hydraulic Powerlink before February 29. The Optional Hydraulic Powerlink allows your Ironworker to power an Edwards Pipe Bender, Shop Press, Radius Roller or Horizontal Press Brake. So hurry up and order your new machine and get a new pipe bender or 20 ton press for FREE! |
 |
| December,
2019: 10% Off Sale on JET Machines and Edwards Ironworkers: From friday December 6 until friday December 27, 2019: JET Metalworking Machines and Edwards Ironworker Machines are on sale at 10% off. What machines are included in the sale? JET Lathes, JET Mills, JET Band Saws JET Cold Saws JET Belt Sanders JET Drill Presses JET Hydraulic Presses JET sheet metal machines Edwards Ironworkers Edwards Hydraulic Presses Edwards Pipe Benders Edwards Roll Benders Edwards Pipe Notchers. Most JET machines and Edwards Ironworkers are in stock. This is your last opportunity to get a JET machine at 10% off AND beat the 2020 price increase AND get a 100% IRS tax write off your 2019 taxes. |
|
| December,
2019: Hurry to get a IRS 2019 Tax Deduction for Machinery: • All metalworking machinery purchases qualify for the tax deduction! • Take a 100% federal income tax deduction off your 2019 tax return for the full cost of any metalworking machinery you buy from us in December (up to a maximum $500,000 business tax deduction). • No need to amatorize the deduction over 5 years at 20% per year. • Your company can also take the IRS Section 179 Tax Deduction if you lease or finance the machinery. • This tax deduction applies to C-Corps, S-Corps, LLCs, etc. • Ask your accountant or tax advisor how the deduction applies to your company. |
|
| November,
2019: Fabtech Machinery Show in Chicago November 11 - 13: Held at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago, Fabtech is North America's Largest Metal Forming, Fabricating, Welding and Finishing Machinery Show. Over 48,000 people will go to Fatech to see 1700 exhibits of machinery and equipment from 1700 vendors. • Educational Sessions going on during the show: Learn about the latest trends and technology in 3D Printing, Cutting, Finishing, Forming & Fabricating, Lasers, Lean Management, Marketing, Sales, Smart Manufacturing, Stamping, Welding, Workforce Development. Click for a List of Fabtech Educational Seminars. • Special Events going on during the show: November 12: The Industry Night Networking Event includes food, drinks, networking, and entertainment. November 13: The Women of Fabtech Breakfast. |
|
| October,
2019: Seminar about becoming Machine Tool Service Technician: Learn about the skills needed to become a machine installer and field service repair technician! Two Day Seminar: October 17 - 18, 2019 at Elgin Community College in Illinois. This 2 day seminar gives you a great overview about becoming Machine Tool Service Technician and Installer. This quick training program was designed by top manufacturers and industry experts to promote awareness and broaden access to field technician roles by providing a thorough overview of the skill sets needed to become a machine tool service technician. The class content touches on all the important topics machinery techs are expected to know. Class content covers: Customer Service * Management * Using Electrical Equipment * Doing Electrical Testing * CNC Controls * Hydraulics * Gases * Materials * Foundations and Footings * Job Safety. Sponsored by the FMA (Fabricators and Manufacturers Association). Call 888-394-4362 for more information. |
 |
| September,
2019: Wisconsin Manufacturing Technology Show in October: This machine tool show has Additive Manufacturing, Automation, Environmental Efficiency, Nanotechnology, Robotics, Safety, Ergonomics, Marking Systems, Welding, Assembly, Material Handling, Machining, Lubricants, Tool & Die, Testing Equipment, Conveyors, Packaging, Electronics, Foundry, Fabrication, Stamping, Metrology, Software and Seminars. If you are near Milwaukee, you should go. Wisconsin State Fair Park - West Allis, Wisconsin. October 8, 9 & 10. For more info go to their website: WIMTS.com |
 |
| August,
2019: Precision Press Brake Operator Certification Course: Master the principles of precision sheet metal bending on a Press Brake Machine! Learn Bending Methods / Blueprints / Calculations / Choosing Punches & Dies / Air Bending / Bottom Bending / Radius Forming / Press Brake Safety, with this two-day seminar. The class teaches the essential 'hows' and 'whys' behind press brake operations. Press brake operators and engineers will improve their design, communication, and execution of press brake configurations by taking the class. Attendees receive a complimentary copy of FMA's Bending Basics book (a $95 value), an A to Z reference guide covering the art of using press brake machines, authored by well known course instructor Steve Benson. This course may qualify toward up to 15 hours of professional development or recertification credits. September 19-20, 2019 in West Memphis, Arkansas at Arkansas State University. Call the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association at 888-394-4362 to learn more. |
|
|
July,
2019: |
|
|
June,
2019: Each
of these 3 day workshops will teach the basics of metal fabrication
in a fully equipped college fab shop. Real industry professionals
will explain and teach you through classroom instruction, shop demonstrations,
and hand-on parts making. |
|
| May,
2019: Buy an Edwards Ironworker - get the Hydraulic Powerlink FREE: Are you still waiting to for the right time to buy an Ironworker Machine? Well, until May 28, we are giving away the optional Hydraulic Powerlink system for FREE with every Edwards Ironworker Machine size 55 Ton or larger! The Hydraulic Powerlink option allows you to connect another machine to the hydraulic pump of your Edwards Ironworker. The Edwards factory makes 7 different machines that can use the hydraulic power of the pump on your Ironworker, including a 10 ton pipe bender, 20 ton tabletop shop press, 40 ton, 60 ton, or 110 ton shop press, radius rolling machine or the 20 ton horizontal press brake. And more connectable machines are coming. Since this option can NOT be added later, this is a great opportunity to get it now for FREE! But hurry, this offer expires May 28. |
|
|
April,
2019:
|
 |
|
March,
2019: |
 |
| February,
2019: Consider a Custom Press Brake Die Set: Do you have a difficult sheet metal part that you often bend with your standard tooling but it always takes too long to make? Or are you fabricating too many rejects that end up in the scrap bin? Then perhaps its time to consider a custom made die set for your press brake machine. Let American Machine Tools Company take a look at your part drawing to see if we can save you time and money with a custom made die set that will save you fabrication time and eliminate quality problems. There are simple custom made die sets we can make for brake press machine so it can quickly pump out radius shapes, channel shapes, hemmed edges, corrugating and others. Just call us and talk to Larry, our die specialist, or visit our webpages for press brake dies at: www.americanmachinetools.com/dies.htm |
 |
| January,
2019: Need a machinery Serviceman near Louisiana? We are writing to tell you about a great experience we had with a machinery serviceman in Louisiana. The story: A brand new 120 ton Ironworker machine would not generate full tonnage. The obvious cause was not the real cause. So after nobody could figure it out we hired Olympic Machine Repair and they figured out the cause and fixed it within 24 hours and under budget. So if you ever need a serviceman in Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas or east Texas to fix your machinery problem, we suggest that you call Fred Sanders of Olympic Machine Repair: 318-268-7335. |
Fred
Sanders
Olympic Machine Repair 216 Canal Street Heflin, LA 71039 318-268-7335 |
| December,
2018: 12 foot long Push button Metal Bending Machine in stock: Chicago Dreis & Krump model HSB-1218 Hydraulic Leaf Brake. 18 gauge capacity. Perfect for sheet metal fabricators and roofers. This push button metal bending machine is currently in stock ready to ship with the optional push button electric powered back gauge and digital readout: $22,900. Choose from 220 Volts, 3 phase or 440 volts 3 phase electrics. Buy it now to get the year end 2018 tax write-off. Call Larry at 773-334-5000 for a formal quotation with photos and specifications and a flat bed truck shipping quote to get the machine to your shop. |
|
| November,
2018: Used 2008 Edwards 65 Ton Ironworker with press brake $8500: For less than half the cost of new it includes the press brake tool option, the coper-notcher, a 24 inch wide flat bar shear and a 5 x 5 angle iron shear. 220 Volts, 1 phase electrics. Our customer bought a brand new 100 ton Ironworker machine. Buy now to get the year end 2018 tax write-off. Call Michael at 773-334-5000 for photos, info and the owners telephone number. The machine is currently in Tennessee waiting for its next owner. |
 |
| November,
2018: 2018 IRS Section 179 Tax Deduction for Machinery: • All metalworking machinery qualifies for this IRS tax deduction! • Get an Immediate 100% federal income tax deduction off your 2018 tax return for the full cost of the metalworking machinery you buy from us (up to the $500,000 business deduction allowance). • Your company can still use the IRS Section 179 Tax Deduction if you lease or finance the equipment. • The tax deduction works for C-Corps, S-Corps, LLCs, etc. • Check with your accountant or tax advisor for more information about how the deduction applies to your situation. |
|
| October,
2017: FABTECH Machinery Show comes to Atlanta November 6 - 8: If you are near Atlanta, visit the Fabtech Machinery Show and see over 1600 exhitbitors of fabrication machinery, equipment, tooling and services at the Georgia World Congress Center. But hurry up and register online. Free registration for Fabtech ends Friday, November 2. After that it costs $50 at the door! The show goes from Tuesday November 6 to Thursday November 8. Consider registering for one of the 130 different 2 hour educational seminars on 3D, Automation, Cutting, Finishing, Forming, Job Shop, Lasers, Lean Mfg, Management and Sales, Safety, Stamping, Structural work, and Welding to earn AWS, FMA and SME Recertification Credits. Wednesday morning there is a Women of Fabtech Breakfast and if you are athletic, there is a 5K charity Run4Mfg on thursday. |
|
| October,
2018: Manufacturing Day is Friday, October 5, 2018: Mfg Day is a national event accross the USA, Canada and Mexico that celebrates north-american manufacturing and recruits high school students and college students to careers in manufacturing fields. By participating in Manufacturing Day, manufacturers and teachers can help eliminate the skilled labor shortage by inspiring a new generation of students to become the future generation of well paid fabricators, machinists, assemblers and quality control specialists. And young people can learn about the great career opportunities that are available. Mfg day is also designed to boost the public image and future growth of the manufacturing industry. Manufacturing Day was started in 2012 by a group of industry organizations with the goal of correcting misperceptions about manufacturing and connecting with younger generations. A win-win for our country. For more information on how you can participate, or how your company can host (open house, facility tour, job fair), please visit the official website www.mfgday.com. |
 |
| September,
2018: IMTS 2018 was the biggest ever with 129,000 people! This month's 2018 International Manufacturing Technology Show in Chicago, Illinois set a record with 129,000 people visiting 2123 booths in 1.4 million square feet of exhibit space. Even the famous IMTS Hot Air Balloon was outside the show. If you missed the show, the next one will be in September 2020. The keynote speech by Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner discussed some interesting facts about Illinois including that Illinois is the 17th largest manufacturing economy in the world, generates 600,000 manufacturing jobs, and produces $100 billion dollars in manufactured products. For those of you who work with sheet metal, plate, pipe and structural steel, November 6 - 8 there will be the Fabtech Show in Atlanta. |
 |
| August,
2018: IMTS is coming to Chicago! Make your reservations! The International Manufacturing Technology Show is coming to Chicago starting Monday September 10 to Friday September 15. There will be no Saturday show this year. You can get a business write-off to pay for your visit during the best time of year to visit Chicago. After the machine tool show, make sure to enjoy some of the Chicago nightlife. There are 2 museums within walking distance of the show. You will also go home knowing that the whole trip was a business write-off. The show is located at the huge McCormick Place convention center along Lake Michigan just south of downtown Chicago. The show is divided up into 4 main buildings. The east building has all the EDM machines, quality control and CAD-CAM software companies. Make sure you have lunch on the east veranda facing the lake. It is a beautiful view. The west building has tooling and workholding. The south building is where the big CNC machining centers and turning centers are located with some booths being 2 floors high. The north building has saws, lasers and other exhibitors. There are also many educational conferences throughout the week. Along with all the technology in the 10 sections at IMTS are 4 co-located show sections: • Integrated Automation, Motion & Drives (IAMD) USA • Surface Technology USA • ComVac USA • Industrial Supply USA For more information visit www.IMTS.org |
|
| August,
2018: How long will Steel Prices continue to Go Up? First China, then Europe, then Mexico, then Canada, and now the Trump administration has increased tariff taxes to 50% for steel from Turkey. Before the 2016 election, hot rolled steel coil prices in the USA had averaged $500 a ton, but this summer, the price of hot-rolled steel coil hit $900 a ton, an 80 percent increase since Trump was elected. This has forced Metal fabrication companies into a risky high-stakes game of guessing where steel prices will be 3 months from now and should they stockpile more now before prices rise further? How do you bid a job when the material costs are unpredictable? Steel prices rose so fast this year that many fabricators lost money on orders they quoted when steel was cheaper. While there have been stories in the news of steel users like Harley-Davidson blaming the tariffs for big cost increases and drops in business, some other steel fabricators say business is good. This may be a smart time to buy stock in US Steel Company. |
|
| July,
2018: Edwards Raises Ironworker Machine Prices due to steel tariffs: All Edwards Ironworker machines went up in price due to huge increases in steel prices. Since each machine is made almost exclusively from steel, Edwards Manufacturing Company had no choice but to increase their prices for the second time this year. The average price increase was 8% for Ironworker machines 60 tons and smaller, and 10% fo Ironworker machines 65 ton and larger. How much this will impact jobs and the economy remains to be seem. For those of you who purchased your machine from us back in December of last year, congratulations, you can probably sell your used Edwards machine for exactly what you paid for it. |
|
| July,
2018: 25% Import Tariffs on Machinery and Steel: All metalworking machines from China have 25% tariffs starting July 6. Also all steel from Canada and China. Aluminum 10%. As a result, JET Machine Tools Company raised their prices by 20% for Chinese made machines. Prices on Birmingham Machine Tools made in China have also increased by 20%. Some machinery importers like GMC Machines Company have held off on the price increase but ended free shipping instead. They are hoping the trade war will end soon. These are really big numbers that will hurt American users of manually operated lathe machines the hardest since there are none being manufactured in the USA anymore. As a result of all this, the prices of used lathe machines and new lathes from other countries will probably rise too. |
 |
| June,
2018: Have you hired a Summer Intern yet?: Its June and the students are starting their summer vacation from high schools, colleges and trade schools with nothing to do for the next 2 or 3 months. Consider hiring one of them to do some of that boring but easy work in your shop or office. It will be a win-win situation, with them making some money and gaining valuable on the job experience, and you getting someone at a low cost to do the undesireable work that you dont want to pay expensive employees to do. Perhaps one of your employees has a son or daughter that is interested. Think carefully before allowing any high school student to work with machinery but many trade school students are ready to train to safely use a metalworking machine. More so than the 2018 Mfg Day, you will have a profound impact in helping recruit our future fabricators and machinists. |
 |
| May,
2018: Buy an Ironworker, Get a Hydraulic Powerlink Connector FREE: Yes, thats right. From May7 until May 18, we are offering to give you the optional Powerlink Hydraulic Accessory Connector for FREE with purchase of an Edwards hydraulic Ironworker machine, size 55 ton or larger! The Powerlink option allows you to plug in another machine to the hydraulic pump of your ironworker machine, such as the Edwards pipe bender, 20 ton tabletop shop press, 40 ton, 60 ton, or 110 ton shop press, radius rolling machine or the horizontal press brake. This method keeps the cost of these machines low. The normal price of this hydraulic Powerlink option is $750 or $1000 depending on the Ironworker size. |
 |
| April,
2018: FMA Metalworking Seminar this summer: Learn cutting, forming, and welding at an intensive 3-day workshop; July 23-25 at Harper College in Palatine, Illinois. Is a 3-day workshop not enough? Are you looking for even more intensive hands on training for your son, daughter or employee? The Fabricators & Manufacturers Association (FMA) has a network of Certified Education Centers all over the USA offering a Fundamentals of Metal Fabrication certificate program. Their full program covers: 1. Metal Fabrication Safety 2. Applied Shop Math 3. Inspection/Quality Control/Measurement/Hand Tools 4. Blueprint Reading for Metal Fabrication 5. Metallurgy for Metal Fabrication 6. Precision Sheet Metal (PSM) Equipment For more info call the FMA at: 888-394-4362 or visit fmanet.org |
|
|
March,
2018: Do you want to protest the steel tariffs? Here is your opportunity: Join your metalworking industry peers at the 10th annual One Voice Legislative Conference on April 17-18, 2018, and tell your members of Congress how these tariffs and other related policy issues affect your business. It starts April 17 with lunch with the One Voice Washington lobbying team. Then on to Capitol Hill for meetings with Senators and staff and finishing the day with a networking reception. The next day, April 18, will be on Capitol Hill in meetings with interested lawmakers and their staff, including small group lunches with members of Congress. Your job is to tell Congress how taxes, regulations, and trade tariffs affect your business. There is a pre-conference webinar on April 4. If you are interested quickly contact Christie Carmigiano at 216-901-8800 or email Christie at ccarmigiano @ pma.org . |
 |
| March,
2018: Machinery Safety and Guarding Seminar March 20-22: Rockford Systems, LLC (Rockford, Illinois) provides a comprehensive 2.5-day machine safeguarding seminar for professionals in the metal fabrication industry to understand how to properly safeguard machinery to meet OSHA 29 CRF/ANSI B-11 standards and a discussion on how to incorporate ergonomics. Safety demonstrations on 15 lathes, power presses and press brakes are included. Cover your rear end with OSHA authorized safety training. $995. Webinars are also available. Call 800-922-7533 to register. |
 |
| February,
2018: American Machine Tools Company reaches 10,000 happy customers! We must be doing things right. Day after day, year after year, machine after machine, American Machine Tools Company and its employees work hard to help make every customer happy. And it has worked out well for our 10,000 happy customers that chose to buy from an ethical trustworthy company with an experienced staff of industry professionals who know how to help you select the less expensive good quality metalworking machine to do your work. We have a perfect A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau! If you havent tried us, you should. |
|
| January,
2018: Need a huge Lathe Machine in a hurry? We have (2) 40 x 180 lathes in stock! $6000 off. Free shipping to most of USA. GMC model GML-40180H Lathe Machine, 40 inch swing diameter over the bed x 160 inches length between centers, 27-9/16" max swing diameter over the cross slide, 5-1/8" spindle bore, 20 HP motor, $49,950. Free shipping to most of the USA, ready to ship from stock now. GML-40180HLB6: similar machine with 6-1/8" spindle bore: $55,950 with free shipping to most of the USA, ready to ship from stock now. Optional Newall Digital Readout installed for $5950 extra. Hurry because this offer expires soon. 
|
|
| December,
2017: Big 3/16" x 10 foot capacity Plate Rolling Machine in Stock: Need a long double pinch bending roll machine with a push button control panel for rolling sheet metal and steel plate? Want a 100% tax write-off? We have it in stock now! Ready to ship to you. Only $39,900. Brand new! We will ship it on a flat bed truck to most of USA for only $1000. Click here to request a formal Quote with more info |
 
|
| November,
2017: 2017 IRS Section 179 Tax Deduction for Machinery: • All metalworking machinery qualifies for the IRS tax deduction. • Immediate 100% federal income tax deduction off your 2017 tax return for the full cost of metalworking machinery you buy up to the $500,000 business deduction allowance. • Companies can still qualify for the tax savings benefits if they lease or finance the equipment. • Check with your accountant or tax advisor for more information about how the deduction applies to you. |
|
| October,
2017: FABTECH Machine Show starts November 6, 2017 in Chicago: Come to Chicago for the Fabtech Machinery Show and see over 1700 exhitbitors of fabrication machinery and services! But hurry up and register online. Free registration for Fabtech ends Friday, November 3. After that it costs $50 at the door! The show goes from Monday November 6 to Thursday November 9. Many Speakers from industry and TV including Jesse James of West Coast Choppers! Consider attending one of 150 different 2 hour educational seminars on 3D, Automation, Cutting, Finishing, Forming, Job Shop, Lasers, Lean Mfg, Management and Sales, Safety, Stamping, Structural work, and Welding to earn AWS, FMA and SME Recertification Credits. Click to see the Schedule of Fabtech Classes and Seminars |
|
| September,
2017: Brand New 2016 model year Edwards Ironworkers Selling at Cost: Thats right. We have 7 brand new unsold Edwards Ironworkers made in USA in 2016 still in the original plastic wrap beng sold at cost. So call now if you want one: 40 ton 3 phase 230 volts Click to Request the 40 ton Secret Price 55 ton 3 phase 230 volts Click to Request the 55 ton Secret Price 55 ton 3 phase 460 volts with hydraulic accessory connector Click to Request the 55 ton Secret Price 60 ton 3 phase 230 volts Click to Request the 60 ton 3 phase Secret Price 60 ton 3 phase 230 volts with hydraulic accessory connector Click to Request the 60 ton Secret Price 65 ton 3 phase 230 volts Click to Request the 65 ton Secret Price |
|
| September,
2017: Manufacturing Day is Friday, October 6, 2017: Mfg Day is a national event that celebrates U.S. manufacturing and exposes high school students to careers in manufacturing fields. By participating in Manufacturing Day, manufacturers and teachers can help eliminate the skilled labor shortage by inspiring a new generation of students to become the future generation of well paid machinists, fabricators, assemblers and quality control specialists. Mfg day is designed to boost the public image and future growth of the manufacturing industry. A win-win for our country. For more information on how you can participate visit the website www.mfgday.com. |
|
| August,
2017: Get an American Machine Tools Hat: Though you may not look as beautiful as the model on the right, you would surely look great while wearing an original American Machine Tools hat. One size fits all with an easy to adjust velcro strap in back. The hat comes free with each purchase of a Q150 or Q175 Portable Line Boring Setup. Each Setup includes everything you need to start with, including hard chrome plated high tensile strength boring bars that dont scratch and never rust. Unlike our hats, our portable line boring equipment is manufactured in Chicago, Illinois, USA. Click to see our portable Line Boring Machines. |
|
|
July,
2017: |
|
| June,
2017: New Catalog of machine tools available: American Machine Tools Company just printed another 5000 catalogs! On paper for easy reading. Each catalog has 48 pages of new metalworking machinery, equipment and helpful charts to outfit your fab shop or machine shop. Great reading material for the shop bathroom. So call us to order your free catalog and we will mail it to your home or office via first class mail. If you prefer you can click the link below and fill out the catalog request form through our website: Click this to Request our Catalog to be mailed to you |
|
|
May,
2017: |
|
|
April,
2017: |
|
|
March,
2017: At Dake's factory in Grand Haven, Michigan, the hardworking American spirit is alive with the sounds and smells of a manufacturing floor, machine shop, welding department, and warehouse facility. Each machine is built with the knowledge that it will be used to help another company prosper. After 130 years, Dake is still going strong by building long lasting machines that can be passed on to the next generation. |
|
|
February,
2017:
Does your company donate to charity? Its never too early in the year for your company to consider making a donation to a reputable charity organization that you care about. Each year we choose 2 organizations to donate to. It makes us feel good and we get a tax write-off for 100% of the amount. Our favorite organizations this year are the Special Olympics and the Multiple Sclerosis Society. Last year we chose the Special Olympics, THASC(employment for The Handicapped And Senior Citizens) and the Illinois National Guard. Who will you choose? Whatever you decide, consider checking out your choices on Charity Watch before giving money. |
 |
|
January,
2017: |
|
|
December,
2016: |
Click for JET BandSaw machines Click for JET Cold Saw machines Click for JET Belt & Disc Sanders Click for JET Drill Presses Click for JET Lathe machines Click for JET Milling machines Click for JET CNC Milling |
|
November,
2016: |
 |
|
November,
2016: |
 |
|
October,
2016: |
|
|
October,
2016: |
|
|
September,
2016: FACTS: This was the 31st IMTS. IMTS is held every even-numbered year in Chicago. The 2016 show attracted 115,682 buyers and sellers from 112 countries. With 2035 exhibitors, more than any year before, the 2016 IMTS show in Chicago used up 1.3 million square feet of exhibit space. The dominant technologies were additive manufacturing and robotics automation. Fanuc had a robot arm swinging a corvette up in the air. It was an eye catching display. Both Hurco and Ganesh Machinery had formula one race cars in their booths. Both Lucas and Werkzeugmaschinen had in their booths CNC boring mills the size of a house. American Machine Tools Company now represents the Lucas line of CNC boring mills. The next IMTS will be September 10 - 15, 2018. October 7, 2016, is Manufacturing Day so please invite a class from your local school to tour your manufacturing plant. |
  |
. 
August, 2016:
IMTS is coming to Chicago! Mark your calender!
The International Manufacturing Technology Show is coming to Chicago starting
Monday September 12 to Saturday September 17. You can get a business write-off
to pay for your visit during the best time of year to visit Chicago. Too
busy working? Consider traveling to Chicago on Friday and come to the
show on Saturday September 17. Saturday is the last day of the show and
it offers a great opportunity to meet and speak to manufacturers when
they are less busy and when you normally have a day off. After the machine
tool show, make sure to enjoy some of the Chicago nightlife. There are
2 museums within walking distance of the show. You will also go home knowing
that the whole trip was a business write-off.
The show is located at the McCormick Place convention center along Lake
Michigan just south of downtown. The show is divided up into 4 main buildings.
The east building has all the EDM machines, quality control and CAD-CAM
software companies. Make sure you have lunch on the veranda facing the
lake. It is a beautiful view. The rarely used west building has tooling
and workholding. The south building is where the big CNC machining centers
and turning centers are located. The north building has saws, lasers and
other exhibitors. There are also many educational conferences throughout
the week. So hurry up and make your reservations. For more information
visit www.IMTS.org
July, 2016:
Birmingham brand Machines 4% discount extended!:
For 15 years we have sold good quality Birmingham brand machines at the
best possible prices. But the 4% off sale of last month was such a success
that the manufacturer has extended the sale to help you buy the Lathe,
Mill, Bed Mill, Radial Arm Drill Press, Surface Grinder, or Bending Roll
machine you need. This sale could end at any time so dont miss out on
a reliable Birmingham metalworking machine.
June, 2016:
JET is at it again with 10% off Metalworking Machines:
From June 7 until June 22, almost every JET Metalworking Machine price
is discounted by 10%. So now is an excellent time to save money on your
next machine tool purchase. JET metalworking machines come with the 2
year JET Red Assurance Warranty. Need the machine to start a job next
week? Most JET machines are in stock and most are delivered to your shop
in mainland USA with FREE shipping.
June, 2016:
4% off Birmingham brand Machines:
Interested in a good quality Birmingham Lathe, Mill, Bed Mill, Radial
Arm Drill Press, Surface Grinder, or Bending Roll machine? Hurry and buy
one now because we are selling them for an extra 4 percent discount starting
June 1st. This sale will be over soon so dont hesitate too long.
May, 2016:
10% off DAKE Hydraulic Dura Presses:
Need a hydraulic shop press? You are in luck! Dake Corp is having a sale
on all the hydraulic Dura Presses with 3 phase electrics. Available in
sizes 40 ton, 70 ton, 100 ton, 150 ton and 200 ton. From May 16 until
July 31, 2016. A Dake Dura Press offers easy push button hydraulic pressing
power and long lasting durability.
April, 2016:
Does your job have injury insurance?:
Do you own or manage a small machine shop or fab shop? With employees?
and metalworking machines? Machinery can be dangerous if used improperly.
What would happen if one of your employees was injured on the job? Do
you have Workmans Compensation Insurance? If not, then you should buy
some to cover your employees. It is a requirement by law. So once you
start hiring people that will be using machinery, tools and welders, it
is time to buy some Workmans Compensation Insurance.
March, 2016:
JET Metalworking Machines discounted 10% off:
From March 15 until March 31, almost every JET Metalworking Machine price
is discounted by 10%. So if you were waiting for a good time to buy your
next machine tool, act fast........before its too late. All JET metalworking
machines come with the 2 year JET Red Assurance Warranty. Leasing and
financing options can make your purchase even more affordable with low
monthly payments. Need a machine quickly? Most JET machines are in stock
now. Any machines that cost more than $2500 are delivered to your shop
in mainland USA with FREE shipping.
February,
2016:
American Machine Tools Company introduces the PF150 PowerFeed:
You asked for it, you got it! The PF150 PowerFeed Attachment to use with
the Q150 or Q175 line boring equipment. Variable feed rate. For use with
any large size Milwaukee Magnetic Drill Press. Visit our webpage
for line boring machinery for more information.
January,
2016:
Verticut indroduces their newest vertical band saw:
By popular demand; Verticut now manufactures a low cost self-cutting
vertical bandsaw, the 300V. The 300V will cut 12 inch rounds or 12
x 14 inch rectangle shapes. The machine comes with a 1-1/4 inch blade,
5 HP drive motor, 2 HP feed motor and handles parts up to 3000 Lbs. Many
other great features included. A mitering version is also available. Made
in Canada. Call us for pricing and more info.
December,
2015:
JET Metalworking Machines on Sale again for 10% off plus tax write-off:
10% off JET Metalworking machines December 4 until December 21.
Buy before December 31 to get a section 179 deduction off your 2015 company
income taxes. For 2015, the U.S. Congress decided that your company can
deduct the purchase price of metalworking machinery up to $25,000 total
tax write-off. Plus, if you buy a JET machine, you can get an extra 10%
off the purchase price.
November,
2015:
The Fabtech machinery show is in Chicago November 9 - 12:
Are you in the midwest? If you are be sure to consider visiting the Fabtech
show on November 9, 10, 11 or 12. It will be worth the drive if you want
to see metalworking machines and equipment on display by some of the most
popular manufacturers of metalworking machinery and welding equipment.
Seize this opportunity to talk directly to factory reps and see hands
on demonstrations. Then after the show call us for a discount price.
Some of the booths we wouldnt want you to miss are:
S1780 Baileigh Industrial (metalworking machinery) some made in USA.
N18097 Bore Repair Systems (bore welders) made in USA.
S2063 Burr King (belt sanders/grinders) made in USA.
S2309 Cleveland Steel Tool (portable hole punchers) made in USA.
S2984 Cosen Saws (metal cutting bandsaws)
S2072 Dake Corp. (hydraulic presses and saws) most made in USA.
S3376 Edwards Manufacturing Co. (Ironworkers and more) made in USA.
S2775 JET Machine Tools (metalworking machines).
S2070 Press Brake Safety.
October,
2015:
JET is having a RACE INTO SAVINGS Metalworking
Machinery Sale:
From October 13 until October 30, most JET Metalworking Machines are reduced
in price by 10%. So if you were waiting for a chance to get a better price
on your next machine tool, this is it. But better hurry up and pull the
trigger.......before its too late. Each of these machines come with the
2 year JET Red Assurance Warranty. Leasing and financing options available.
Most JET machines are in stock and machines over $2900 are delivered to
your machine shop or fab shop in the continental USA with FREE shipping.
The Race Into Savings machine tool sale is in honor of JET's sponsorship
of Rusty Wallace Racing.
September,
2015:
Edwards Manufacturing introduces their new Horizontal Press Brake Machine:
Another new machine from the Edwards engineering department. The all new
Horizontal Press Brake has 20 tons of force and can use many types of
tooling to form, brake, and straighten mild steel. This compact machine
easily connects to your Edwards Ironworker if it has a Hydraulic Accessory
Pack or to an Edwards Porta-Power hydraulic pump to expand your fab shop
capabilities. Designed for maximum tooling flexibility, the 4 pin locations
are locked with a simple crank for inboard tool squaring. The digital
encoder reads positive stop for accurate repeatability within 0.01". The
potential of this machine could make your shop a lot of money.
August, 2015:
Edwards Manufacturing introduces their new Roll Bending Machine:
The model RR-M2 Pipe, Tube and Section Radius Roller will plug into an
Edwards Ironworker Machine equipped with the Hydraulic Accessory Pack
or you can power it separately with an Edwards Porta-Power. The variable
speed hydraulic drive allows you to dial in the appropriate speed for
your working needs. A positioning scale helps insure repeatability. Super
easy to rotate the machine from vertical to horizontal, for bending long
pieces. Made entirely in the USA, this machine will roll a radius on flat
bar, channel, 2 x 2 x 1/4 angle iron or if you buy optional rolls, you
can handle 2" schedule 40 pipe or 2 1/2 tube. For more specifications
or pricing contact American Machine Tools Company.
July, 2015:
We offer FREE shipping on Edwards Ironworker
Machines:
American Machine Tools Company sells Edwards
Ironworker Machines at a deep discount. But we will also ship your
new machine for FREE to your company in any of the continental 48 states
in the USA. Or if you are Canadian, we can ship it FREE to the border.
All you need to qualify is a business address and a capable forklift to
unload the machine from the truck. Delivery to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto
Rico or into Canada costs extra. Either way, we will also give you a tool
box of 8 round punch & die sets FREE. Call the Edwards factory to check
our excellent record of customer satisfaction. It is why we are A+ rated
by the Better Business Bureau.
June, 2015:
June brings a hot 10% discount off JET:
From June 9 until June 23, most JET Metalworking Machines are reduced
in price by 10%. So if you were waiting for a sign from above when to
invest in your next machine tool, this is it. But better hurry up and
pull the trigger.......before its too late. Each of these machines come
with the 2 year JET Red Assurance Warranty. Leasing and financing options
available. Most JET machines are in stock and machines over $2500 are
delivered to your machine shop or fab shop in the continental USA with
FREE shipping.
May, 2015:
We have Chicago Dreis & Krump fabrication machines
waiting for you:
If you need to fabricate metal parts, remember to remember that American
Machine Tools Company can ship any of the most popular Chicago Dries &
Krump fabrication machines immediately from stock. For cutting metal,
we have many sizes of metal shearing machines in stock from 4 feet to
10 feet long. Need a plate rolling machine? Multiple sizes in stock. If
you need a machine to bend sheet metal, we have many sizes (from 4 feet
to 12 feet) of easy to use hand operated sheet metal brake machines in
stock now. For straight bends or to make box shapes or pan shapes or curved
shapes, Chicago Dries & Krump hand brake machines and hydraulic powered
leaf brake machines (push button operation) have many options available
that are not offered by anyone else. Options for bending curved parts,
bending reinforced tool box shapes, forming tube shapes, or architectual
moldings. For repeat parts, dont forget the handwheel or push button operated
back gauge that measures your metal position and also squares the metal
to the machine. For heavy work, the Chicago plate bending machine can
bend 1/4 inch thick steel and it is in stock ready to ship now. Chicago
Dreis & Krump; quality you can count on since 1899.
May, 2015:
Educational Workshops and Tours sponsored by
the F.M.A.:
The Fabricators & Manufacturers Association is sponsoring PLATEFAB in
Moline, Illinois, to advance plate fabricating technology this May 5 &
6. It is an educational workshop that includes tours of a John Deere truck
and earth moving equipment factory, a Ryerson steel services plant, and
the Schebler Company to see the latest in fabricating machinery at work
on a factory production floor. On May 13 & 14 the F.M.A. is sponsoring
BENDFAB in Indianapolis, Indiana, to showcase solutions for optimizing
bending operations. This workshop will include tours of Alexander Screw
Products and Estes Design and Manufacturing. These companies will show
off their latest methods for product design and rapid prototyping. Also
this May 18-20, they will have a conference and exhibits about sustainable
manufacturing in Naperville, Illinois. June 1-3, the FMA has scheduled
a Laser applications workshop in Detroit. If you are a business owner
thinking about retirement, you should consider listening in on their webcast
that covers managing for business valuation May 7. For more information
visit the FMA website.
April, 2015:
The future has arrived......3D Printers are here!:
American Machine Tools now sells the Cube and CubePro 3D Printers so you
can make plastic models and useable parts from your CAD drawings. Starting
at $995. The plastic material comes in easy to install cartridges and
are available in 24 different colors. The CubePro can make models with
multiple parts out of 3 different colors at a time. Make plastic prototypes,
jewelry, toys, novelties, cell phone cases, etc. Make actual plastic parts
from your computer just like the pros. Max part size is 11 x 9 x 10 inches.
These machines will fit on top of your desk. Wifi capability. Available
options include software, hand held scanners, scanner to attach to you
iPad and touch probes. Click here to read about
3D Printers.
March, 2015:
Spring into action! The spring JET Machine Tools
10% Off Sale until April 17:
If you have been waiting for the right time to buy the next metalworking
machine you need to boost your productivity and make your customers happy,
you are in luck. Because we can offer you almost any JET machine tool
at 10% off until Friday, April 17. So take advantage of this chance to
save 10 percent. Remember; JET manufactures lathes,
mills,
bandsaws,
cold saws,
sanders,
drill presses
and sheet metal machinery. Each of these machines come with the 2 year
Red Assurance Warranty. Leasing and financing available. Most JET machines
are in stock and even have free shipping to your machine shop or fab shop
in the continental USA.
March, 2015:
Chicago Dreis & Krump introduces a new heavy duty Metal Bending Machine:
Available with standard back gauge or with optional NC Controls for back
gage and bend angle. This is the next best thing to owning a Press Brake
but without the high price or the changing of die sets. The Chicago Dreis
& Krump Hydraulic Powered Leaf Brake machine will bend up to 1/4 inch
thick steel up to 10 feet long. It also bends sheet metal without changing
the tooling! It does it by folding the metal. Model HBP is designed to
make box shapes and pan shapes up to 6 inches deep. This machine is easy
to use because it works similar to a hand brake machine but with push
button convenience. Click
to see photos and read more about the new power metal folding machine.
February,
2015:
Endorsements of our Line Boring Equipment:
Want to know what our past customers are saying about our portable Line
Boring Systems before you decide whether to buy your own setup? Click
to read what previous customers have had to say about the Q150 and Q175
Line Boring Machinery manufactured by American Machine Tools Company.
January,
2015:
New Trend Seen in the Growth of U.S. Manufacturing:
Ever since the 1990s when congress passed a law giving China most favored
nation trading status, outsourcing began replacing manufacturing and the
growth in U.S. manufacturing grew a smaller percentage than the growth
in the rest of the U.S. economy. But in 2014 that changed. Thanks to insourcing,
in 2014 U.S. manufacturing activity grew at a faster pace than the rest
of the U.S. economy. Manufacturers now find it difficult to find skilled
workers who havent yet retired. Or they find it difficult to find workers
willing to take and/or able to pass drug tests. What to do? Start by bringing
back some of the retired machinists and fabricators to work part time
and pay them to teach employees how to fabricate and machine parts properly
and safely. These old-timers have a wealth of knowledge to pass on. Next
we need to be supporting the President's iniative to offer 2 years of
Community College FREE to good students, but we need Trade School included
as an option. Finally, we need to be willing to overlook imperfections
in the personal lives of todays workers as long as they are good at their
job.
December,
2014:
JET and DAKE Metalworking Machines on Sale now:
10% off JET Metalworking machines December 5 – 22.
10% off DAKE Super Technics 350 Cold Saws all month in December.
Buy before December 31 to get a section 179 deduction off your 2014 company
income taxes.
November,
2014:
American Machine Tools Company introduces their new Q125 Line Boring
Equipment:
The Q125 is designed for line boring small holes from 1.50 to 4 inches
diameter using a magnetic drill press to drive and feed the boring shaft.
Optional attachments allow the Q125 to be converted for smaller holes
or larger holes if needed. It is available in 2 lengths; The Q125-S has
a 36 inch long boring bar for reboring holes up to approximately 20 inches
apart and the Q125-L has a 60 inch long boring bar for holes up to approximately
44 inches apart. Usable length can be extended in many circumstances.
The Q125 line boring systems come with the everything needed to rebore
holes round and concentric again including the chrome plated shaft, adapter
base with built-in bearing, flange bearings, mounting plates, standoff
plates, positioning cones, carbide cutters, colbalt cutters, measuring
tools and a sturdy wood carrying case with dolly wheels. A Magnetic Drill
Press for driving and feeding the Q125 costs extra. The Q125 is for repairing
earth moving equipment, cranes, machinery frames, etc. For more information,
photos, detailed instructions and videos visit our webpage
of line boring machines.
November,
2014:
The Fabtech show opens in Atlanta November 11:
Are you in Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, Tennessee or northern Florida?
If you are be sure to consider visiting the Fabtech show in Atlanta on
November 11, 12 or 13. It could be worth the drive if you want to see
sample machines and equipment on display by some of the largest of the
manufacturers and importers of fabrication machinery and welding equipment.
You will get to talk face to face with factory reps and see hands on demonstrations.
If you are interested in American made, then be sure to visit booth B4473
to look at the Dake hydraulic presses and band saws. Or visit booth B4015
to see the brand new design roll bending machine manufactured by Edwards
Ironworker Company. And if you decide you want one at a deep discount,
just call us.
October,
2014:
IRS Section 179 Tax Write Off for 2014:
If you want to buy a machine or other piece of equipment and you want
to avoid paying corporate and/or personal income tax on your 2014 company
profits, then you need to act fast! Time is running out for you to spend
the money before the end of the year. Unfortunately, our congress was
too busy this year to renew the IRS Section 179 business equipment tax
write off that has spurred economic growth in the US manufacturing sector
since 2009. Therefore the tax deduction has reverted back to the original
$25,000 limit for an immediate write-off in this tax year without having
to depreciate the equipment you purchase over a period of years. Make
sure you ask your tax advisor for information on the Section 179 tax write-off
benefits for your business before it is too late. Call American Machine
Tools Company for help in figuring out a machine you want within your
budget. December 31 will be here soon.
October,
2014:
Hurry! You have 3 weeks! The October JET Machine
Tools 10% Off Sale:
If you have been waiting for the right time to buy the next metalworking
machine you need for your shop, you are in luck. Because we can offer
you almost any JET machine tool at 10% off starting Friday, October 10
until Friday, October 31. This sale goes on for 3 weeks but dont let this
opportunity to save 10 percent off pass you by. If you manage a machine
shop or a fab shop, remember that JET manufactures lathes,
mills,
bandsaws,
cold saws,
sanders,
drill presses
and sheet metal machinery. Each of these machines come with the 2 year
Red Assurance Warranty. So dont miss out. Leasing and financing available.
Most JET machines are in stock and even have free shipping to your shop
in the continental USA.
September,
2014:
IMTS is evolving! The International Manufacturing Technology Show is
bigger!
The booths are bigger. Some were bigger than your house and yard. The
machines are bigger. Many were bigger than a garage. The signs were bigger.
Many were the size of billboards. Many of the major companies went all
out in an effort to out do each other to make the biggest splash as evident
to those walking into the south building where the aisles were lined with
CNC machining centers one after the other. All busy doing something. Why?
Prestige, bragging rights and the desire to make a lasting impression
seem to outweigh the cost benefit analysis. Attendance at IMTS set a record
this year, and yet, some exhibitors are cutting back. Cutting back to
a smaller booth or no booth at all. An exhibitor has to sell several machines
to pay for the cost of a booth at the shown. Yet somehow there are a lot
of small companies that show up every 2 years for the largest machinery
show in the USA. How do the justify the huge expense? Lets
look at the costs of exhibiting at the 2014 IMTS show:
August, 2014:
IMTS is coming! IMTS is coming to Chicago!
Have you ever been to Chicago in the summertime? It is the time of year
when Chicago is at its best. And because the International Manufacturing
Technology Show is coming to Chicago the week of September 18 to 23, you
can get a business write-off to pay for your visit during the best time
of year. Too busy working? Consider traveling to Chicago on Friday and
come to the show on Saturday September 23. Saturday is the last day of
the show and it offers a great opportunity to meet and speak to manufacturers
when they are less busy. After the show Chicago offers a vibrant nightlife
and many cultural attractions. You can return home Sunday with the knowledge
that the whole trip was a business write-off.
The show is located at the McCormick Place convention center along Lake
Michigan just south of downtown. The show is divided up into 4 main buildings.
The east building has all the EDM machines, quality control and CAD-CAM
software companies. Make sure you have lunch on the veranda facing the
lake. It is a beautiful view. The rarely used west building has tooling
and workholding. The south building is where the big CNC machining centers
and turning centers are located. There are also many other companies with
booths showing smaller machines such as Dake and JET. The north building
has saws, lasers and other exhibitors including one of our favorite U.S.
machinery manufacturers; Edwards. There are also many educational conferences
throughout the week. So hurry up and make your reservations. For more
information visit www.IMTS.org
August, 2014:
Government working with colleges and manufacturers to create apprenticeships:
The Obama administration annouced it is investing $600 million into apprenticeship
programs to reduce unemployment. The idea is to get employers and community
colleges to work more closely together in creating programs that train
Americans for highly skilled high paying jobs. This program is needed
because millions of Americans are still out of work but about 500,000
manufacturing jobs are available because of the lack of skilled workers
that are needed to fill these jobs........Click
to keep reading about metalworking apprenticeships.
July, 2014:
GDP fell a worrisome 2.9% in 1st quarter but grew 3% in 2nd quarter:
The recently revised U.S. Gross Domestic Product numbers for the 1st quarter
came out worse than expected. If this is repeated in the 2nd quarter that
just ended, that would meet the definition of another recession. Having
a recession hit every 5 or 6 years was normal decades ago, but in recent
history, that has switched to once every 8 to 10 years (1981, 1990, 2001,
2009). The preliminary numbers are out for the 2nd quarter and it looks
good but the revised numbers that come later are supposed to provide a
more accurate picture of the state of the U.S. economy. This is why the
revised 1st quarter GDP shrinkage something to worry about - it is more
accurate. So far, the stock market indicates the manufacturing economy
is improving but watch out for clouds on the horizon.
June, 2014:
How to calculate how many Amps your machine with need:
If you are try to size up a circuit breaker for a new machine you purchased,
what do you do? Click the link to visit our new webpage showing recommended
circuit breaker sizes for a machine based upon the HorsePower. Using
one of the many useful reference pages from American Machine Tools Company
helps make your job easier.
June, 2014:
Why you should stop outsourcing and start insourcing:
If you are currently manufacturing your products overseas in China or
elsewhere, now is a good time to recalculate the benefits of making your
products here versus there. Here are some good reasons for insourcing
your manufacturing back to the USA:
* Made in USA is good for marketing.
* Made in USA means better quality control.
* Having your factory nearby makes it easier to maintain relationships
with suppliers if they are close to you, speak the same language and are
in the same time zone.
* Having your factory nearby makes it easier for your engineering department
to develop new products if they can quickly test out prototypes.
* Your company will be able to respond quicker to competitors and new
market trends.
* Having your factory nearby makes it easier for your engineering department
to come up with manufacturing improvements and automation if your factory
is nearby.
* You will save money on shipping costs.
* Since your factory will be close to your U.S. customers, you will not
have to maintain as much inventory
* You will have better control of your trade secrets.
So pull together your management team and do a cost/benefit analysis.
Maybe you should be insourcing, not oursourcing.
May, 2014:
Read this before you join the rush to outsource to China:
Are you thinking about joining the stampede to outsource your manufacturing
to China? Ever since the U.S. Congress passed a law giving Chinese imports
incredibly low import taxes you may have been thinking about it. Have
you been putting off the decision to give in and join all those other
companies who have already outsourced their manufacturing work to China?
Maybe your investors have been asking what are you waiting for? Your stockholders
want to increase profits. Are your customers ready to give up Made
in USA? Well now it seems that outsourcing all your manufacturing
to China is not such a good idea.......Click
to continue reading about outsourcing.
May, 2014:
American Machine Tools Company introduces its new Shaft Connecting
Tube:
The new Shaft Connecting Tube from American Machine Tools Company extends
the range of the standard Q175 line boring setup by allowing you to connect
2 line boring shafts together. The heavy duty design does this without
losing the rigidity of the shafts. This gives you the ability to rebore
holes up to 126 inches apart. Previously the equipment was limited to
reboring holes up to 80 inches apart. Visit our website often for more
updates about our complete line of portable boring equipment.
April, 2014:
Why buy a complicated Brake Press if you are
only bending and folding sheet metal?
Customers often ask us for information about buying a press brake machine
to bend and fold sheet metal. But in many cases the customer does not
need to spend the huge amount of money necessary to buy a good quality
hydraulic press brake with computerized contol of the back gauge and ram
depth. If all you are going to do with the machine is simple bends in
the sheet metal, then you should consider a hydraulic leaf brake machine.
This machine works almost identical to the old fashioned Hand Brake machine
we are all familar with. The important differences are that you only need
to push a button and let the hydraulic
powered leaf brake do the back breaking work that is normally done
using a hand brake machine. The hydraulic leaf brake machine has a clamping
bar that clamps the metal in position and hydraulic cylinders to push
the bending leaf up and down the amount that you preset on the angle dial.
A hand cranked or electronically adjusted back gauge is included to measure
and square-up the metal. The machines can bend up to 135 degrees and do
hemming. The HBPU versions can make boxes and pan shapes. You can even
install optional radius nose bars for bending a radius on aircraft aluminum.
All this for half the price of a brake press. So before you buy a brake
press, check out a Chicago Dreis & Krump hydraulic leaf brake machine.
April, 2014:
Our machine tool blog is 4 years old. What would
you like us to write about next?
We have been writing about different types of machinery and the field
of metalworking, every month for four years. It is time to ask if is there
something you think we should write about? Since this is our business
we sometimes wonder what we are not covering. What should we be writing
about that nobody else is? We can research ideas and write about them
in an informative way that is quick to read. Instead of us only writing
about what we are interested in, we would like to hear your suggestions.
Email us by clicking
this link.
March, 2014:
For 5 weeks! The 2014 JET Machine Tools 10% Off
Sale:
If you have been waiting for the right time to buy the next metalworking
machine you need for your shop, you are in luck. Because we can offer
you almost any JET machine tool at 10% off starting Monday March 17 until
April 19. This sale goes on for 5 weeks but dont let this opportunity
to save 10 percent off pass you by. If you manage a machine shop or a
fab shop, remember that JET manufactures lathes,
mills,
bandsaws,
cold saws,
sanders,
drill presses
and sheet metal machinery. Each of these machines come with the 2 year
Red Assurance Warranty. So dont miss out. Check your finances and check
the machine specifications. Leasing and financing available. Most JET
machines are in stock and even have free shipping to your shop in the
continental USA.
March, 2014:
How to sell a machine you dont need anymore:
Do you have a metalworking machine sitting in your shop that you dont
use anymore? Would you like to sell it and use the money for something
more important? If you have recent experience selling a used machine online
then read no further. But if you have never sold a used machine before,
keep reading. In the old days you may have had to ask a local used machinery
dealer to buy your machine at a deep discount to what it is worth. But
thanks to the internet it has become a lot easier to sell it yourself.
The steps seem easy, you find a reputable website, provide a detailed
description with pictures, set your asking price and let the internet
do the work. But there is more to it than that.......Click
to keep reading about how to sell a used machine.
February,
2014:
What will happen to your company if you got sick?
Do you own a machine shop or fab shop or small manufacturer? Do you have
someone ready to manage the place if you get seriously sick or injured?
Do you have a succession plan in place if you had a bad stroke or something
that prevented you from returning to work? At a minimum you need someone
who can sign the paychecks and payments to vendors in an emergency. Will
it be your accountant or your foreman or your wife or your son or daughter?
These questions are uncomfortable to talk about but if you dont have a
plan, you could lose all the equity you built up in the wonderful company
of yours. So, dont just continue on as you have been, talk to your senior
staff about how they can keep the doors open if something happens to you.
At least until a buyer can be found. Dont lose your biggest asset to a
medical problem. Your wife, kids and employees are relying on you.
January,
2014:
Are you thinking of starting your own machine shop?
Occasionally, machinists, tool & die makers, and CNC machine operators
will ask themselves whether starting a machine shop of their own would
be better than working for someone else. Especially if their boss is difficult
to work for. Or maybe they were laid off and are thinking of starting
their own shop until/instead of finding employment at another company.
Whatever your motivation, you have a lot of decisions to make and it could
seem overwhelming. Click to read about starting
a machine shop.
January,
2014:
The new year could ring in new opportunities
for profits:
It is the begining of another year. What are you going to do differently
than last year? How is your shop going to make more money? Are you going
to increase sales or are you going to decrease costs? Increasing sales
could be as simple as starting a website for your machine shop or fab
shop. Or researching possible new customers in your area that you have
not talked to before. Cutting costs could be as simple as switching to
driving a company car, changing your phone provider, internet provider,
insurance provider or material supplier. Start by looking at all the bills
you paid in 2013. Getting competitive bids could save you some money or
allow you to squeeze your current vendor. A third method is to increase
productivity. If your employees had a CNC machine instead of a manual
one you could increase productivity. If your assembly areas were better
organized you could have faster workers. The savings may seem small each
month but at the end of the year it all adds up. So if you are tired of
the snow, get motivated and work some extra hours this winter on how to
increase profits for 2014. Remember, it is not how much money your company
makes that matters, it is how much money you take home.
December,
2013:
As manufacturing improves women are left out:
The Joint Economic Committee of the U.S. Congress reports that the 565,000
manufacturing jobs gained since the recession were filled by men. Manufacturing
jobs being done by women actually declined. Women now represent just 27
percent of manufacturing workers. It seems that women have 62 percent
of the administrative office jobs doing accounting and payroll, 35 percent
of the sales positions, but few of the high paying skilled machinist and
fabricator jobs. Work for machine shops, fab shops and other manufacturing
companies is expected to increase as the wage gap between US workers and
Chinese workers continues to decrease. The US-China wage gap for skilled
manufacturing workers in 2008 was $17 per hour on average. In 2015 it
is expected to drop to only $7 per hour. Hopefully this will motivate
American companies to bring back many of the out sourced manufacturing
jobs from China. Millions of US manufacturing jobs were outsourced to
China since the last 1990s.
December,
2013:
Edwards introduces 8 redesigned Ironworkers at
Fabtech show:
In November, Edwards Manufacturing Company introduced their redesigned
Ironworker machines at the Fabtech machinery show in Chicago. The new
design comes with ANSI compliant electrical box with lock out-tag out
capability, emergency palm stop, proprietary controls with M12 electrical
connections and updated ANSI compliant guarding. Safety guards are now
powder coated for bright long lasting orange color. The frame is also
redesigned to be curvier and sexier. Controls are designed, constructed
and certified to ETL and UL and CE requirements as well as being tested
by second party verification to National ANSI B11.5 Standards for Ironworker
Safety. Sizes 65 ton and larger include an easy spin adjustment wheel
for the angle shear clamp. Sizes 50 ton and 75 ton now include the coper-notcher
as standard, not optional. American Machine Tools is their distributor.
Visit our website for more information about the new Edwards
Ironworker machines.
November,
2013:
New Rule Changes for Section 179 Tax write-off
coming in 2014:
Section 179 tax code allows businesses tax deductions for equipment purchases,
but new rule changes in 2014 may soon make buying machinery more expensive.
To qualify for the Section 179 tax write-off, small businesses need to
act quickly to arrange a machine purchase before December 31, 2013. Section
179 allows for small businesses to expense purchases of their capital
assets such as metalworking machines. Instead of taking long-term depreciation
of expenses over time - a complicated and frustrating process - the tax
rule currently allows for machinery and equipment to be written off immediately,
saving company owners a lot of money off their 2013 taxes. Many company
owners aren't familiar with much of the advantages that can be taken by
the Section 179 tax write-off, so ask your accountant if you need advice.
However, according to the Engineering News-Record, a new change to the
rule meant to take effect next year may change the way section 179 tax
code provides help to businesses. Currently, businesses can deduct the
full price of equipment up to $500,000 from their gross income with a
$2 million limit, that aspect of the tax code will expire on the last
day of 2013. Unless the U.S. Congress acts quickly, equipment deductions
may drop to as low as $25,000 next year, which will surely have negative
effects on smaller and medium-sized businesses. The expiration of tax
incentives on December 31, 2013 means that now is the best time to buy
a new machine.
November,
2013:
It is back! The JET Machine Tools Sale at 10%
Off:
If you were waiting to buy a metalworking machine, do it now. Because
we can offer you any JET machine tool at 10% off until November 23, 2013.
This sale is your rare opportunity to spend 10 percent less money to finally
get the quality JET metalworking machine your company needs. Most machines
are in stock and even have free shipping to your door in the continental
USA.
October,
2013:
Is
the government shutdown and debt ceiling affecting your business?
If your company is based in the USA and you export the parts/products
you manufacture to Mexico or Canada like we do, you will need the Schedule
B Number for each item classification to complete a Certificate of Origin
for every shipment. The Schedule B Number is also needed to import into
the USA. But if you went to the government website for the codes, the
website was not working. However if you went to update your
registration as a government contractor to the S.A.M. portal it was
working. Or if you went to log into the special website for government
contractor invoicing; Wide Area Work Flow system, it was
working too. Why is that? Click
to read why.......
October,
2013:
How
to prevent freight damage to your machine from ruining your day:
This advice applies to almost anything you have delivered. Sometimes a
customer buys a new machine from us but has no experience receiving and
unloading machinery. The customer usually has a fork lift to unload the
machine but may not know that they have the responsibility to inspect
the machine before they sign the Bill Of Lading and unload it from the
delivery truck. Because we use a reputable trucking company with machinery
experience it is unusual for shipping damage to occur but it can still
happen. Therefore....... click to read
what to do about machinery freight damage.
September,
2013:
Choosing
a metal cutting band saw blade:
Metal cutting band saw blades have bent teeth. The bend in the teeth causes
a cut slightly wider than the thickness of the blade, to prevent the blade
from getting stuck in the metal. There are three different tooth patterns:
raker, wave, and straight. For most metal cutting, use the raker pattern.
But if you are cutting thin sections, such as tubing, angles, and channels,
then use a blade with the wave tooth pattern. At least three teeth of
the bandsaw blade should contact the workpiece at all times to prevent
chatter and shearing off teeth. Click to read
more about choosing a metal cutting band saw blade. We also offer
a chart showing the recommended number of teeth for various materials
and thicknesses to help choose the correct blade for cutting your material.
September,
2013:
Manufacturing in USA rises to a 2 year high:
U.S. factories expanded production again last month at the fastest rate
since June 2011 thanks to a jump in orders. The report shows that manufacturing
output will likely be expanding for the next few months. The Institute
for Supply Management purchasing managers trade group said that its manufacturing
index rose to 55.4 to 55.7 in August. The increase was well above the
index's 12-month average of 52. Any reading above 50 indicates growth.
The survey found 15 out of 18 industries reporting expansion but only
one reporting contraction. A good example is August sales of American
made cars, which jumped by double digits over last year's sales. This
contradicts news that businesses recently reduced their orders for capital
goods such as computers and electrical equipment. That decline may signal
that business investment is slowing rather than increasing, though computers
and electrical items are usually made overseas not in the USA and therefore
have a very small effect on the U.S. economy. Meanwhile, the Commerce
Department estimated that the U.S. economy grew at a 2.5 percent annual
rate in the April-June quarter, which is better than the government's
initial estimate of 1.7 percent.
August, 2013:
How
to Reduce Cutting Tool Chatter:
Have you ever been all set up to line bore some holes but find out that
your carbide cutter vibrates and chatters like crazy? What can prevent
it and what can you do about it? Prevention is usually the key and prevention
starts during your set up and during welding. Also remember to drive your
boring bar at the proper RPMs for the size of the hole. Running your boring
bar at excessively high RPMs is a big cause of cutting tool chatter. Having
a dull cutter is another common reason. Not having enough support bearings
is another common reason. Using the wrong type of carbide could also cause
a problem. And welding on top of galled metal is less common but the hardest
to correct. Keep reading for more info on our webpage called how
to reduce cutting tool chatter.
August, 2013:
Glossary
of Technical Terms:
Wonder what some technical word on our website means? Dont bother searching
all over the internet for some website that has rarely used technical
words. Instead, you can find them in our website
glossary of technical terms and definitions that are used in machine
shops and fab shops. Words from Acme Thread to Wrought Iron. We give you
the technical definition. Here is an example of a common english word
used in a special technical way that most people dont know: Dog
- A clamping device (lathe dog) used to drive work being machined between
centers. A second definition for the word Dog - a part projecting on the
side of a machine worktable to trip the automatic feed mechanism off or
to reverse the travel. Now you know two other meanings of the word Dog
besides the four legged animal. Our Glossary also has a list of common
machinery related acronyms and abbreviations.
July, 2013:
American
Machine Tools introduces Q175 Line Boring Equipment:
Sometimes bigger is better. And when you need to rebore holes that are
6 or 7 feet (2 meters) apart, then you need a bigger boring bar. Thats
why we designed the Q175. The Q175 comes with 1.750 diameter chrome plated
induction hardened high tension strength boring shafts that have a larger
diameter than our standard Q150. Though the design principle is the same,
the larger diameter reduces deflection, reduces tool chatter and allows
you to rebore holes up to 8 inch diameter in one setup that are too far
apart for our Q150 equipment. The Q175 is available in 8 foot long and
4 foot long boring shafts. Each shaft has a tapered shank designed to
fit into the 3/4 inch chuck of your magnetic drill press. By using the
Q175 adapter base to take the load of the boring bar you do not have to
worry about overloading the bearings in your magnetic drill press. Approved
by Milwaukee Power Tool Company engineers for use with the heavy duty
Milwaukee magnetic drill press sold by American Machine Tools Company.
Click here for more information about the Q175
Line Boring Machine Tools.
July, 2013:
U.S. manufacturing activity expanded in June:
U.S. Factory Orders for durable goods increased in May. U.S. manufacturing
activity expanded in June. Manufacturers had a 3 percent increase in new
orders, and a 5 percent increase in production. Strong sales of aircraft,
cars, construction equipment, computers and machinery lead to the increase.
Sales of commercial aircraft jumped 50 percent after climbing 18 percent
in April. Orders for autos increased 1.5 percent, construction equipment
7.6 percent, computers rose 8.8 percent, machinery 0.7 percent. Manufacturing,
which represents about 12 percent of the economy, is expected to keep
growing for the rest of 2013. Though the U.S. saw improvement, global
manufacturing is down, notably China. Hopefully the increase in factory
activity in the US will decrease unemployment and help rebuild the middle
class. So far, many of the gains from the U.S. economic recovery have
mostly gone to the wealthiest.
June, 2013:
American Car Manufacturers among the best in quality survey:
The desire to succeed has motivated American car companies to produce
some of their best quality cars and trucks ever in order to win over their
fellow Americans as customers. Chrysler, Ford and GM have tied or won
in 12 of 21 areas in a vehicle quality survey conducted by California
based Strategic Vision. It was the first time in over than a decade that
GM, Ford and Chrysler models had a majority of category winners. Perhaps,
as a result of the quality improvements, the three U.S. automakers all
gained market share in the first quarter of 2013 for the first time in
20 years. The quality results were based on data from 17,000 buyers who
purchased 2013 vehicles between September 2012 and November 2012. Aparently,
we Americans design and build great cars. Since we rarely purchase something
that creates more jobs than a car, think about the huge contribution you
can make to the American manufacturers and their suppliers when you buy
a new American car versus the small contribution you make when you buy
a foreign car. So please remember to visit GM, Ford and Chrysler showrooms
before you decide what car or truck to buy. The next job you save may
be your own.
June, 2013:
American Manufacturers experience slowdown
but stock market predicts upturn:
American Manufacturers in May reported the slowest growth in their business
in four years. Some of the blame goes to the 2013 U.S. Government Sequestration
which has choked off some of the US Government's spending. But the current
slowdown in Chinese exports to the USA has many US manufacturers hopeful
that the helpful buy American trend is continuing. Those worried about
the unemployment rate can relax as it is relatively unchanged. Meanwhile,
the stock market still sees clear skies ahead as it stands near its all
time historical high. Since the stock market is reliable predictor of
business conditions 6 months ahead, we could use this time to get ready
for the next upturn.
May, 2013:
Beware; not all machinery websites are safe:
Have you ever found a website that had exactly the machine you were looking
for at the best price but when you wanted to call for more information
you could not find their telephone number or address anywhere on their
website? When you went to their Contact Us page, all it showed was a form
to fill out? Or even worse, the website tries to download a virus onto
your computer? What should you do before
you trust a website? Click for some advice.
May, 2013:
Get
to know the staff at American Machine Tools Company:
We believe everyone who wants to buy a metalworking machine wants to talk
to a sales person with on-the-job experience. Experience to understand
the machines they sell. Someone who used to design machinery. Someone
who used to design tooling. Someone who used to be a Tool and Die maker.
Someone who used to fabricate parts. That is how we decided who to hire
to help our customers. The staff of American Machine Tools Company are
industry professionals so our guys have many years of experience to help
you with the machines we sell.
Click to meet the sales staff of American Machine Tools Company.
April, 203:
The low cost alternative to buying a fork lift:
What do you do if you dont have a loading dock and cant afford a forklift
but you need the ability to load and unload shipping crates, skids or
pallets of heavy materials? Check out the two different types of Pallet
Lifts we offer. Hydraulic or winch style. Do you simply need to move and
lift heavy boxes or equipment around your shop? Then you should look at
Pallet Jacks. Either choice is a low cost alternative to a forklift. JET
makes a line of low cost material handling equipment. Click to see our
selection of JET pallet lifts and pallet jacks.
If you find what you want it is easy to click the quote request form link
and we will email your quote and mail you a formal quotation and catalog
to the address you provide.
April, 2013:
Training
your Metalworking Employees:
Managers of machine shops, fabrication shops and manufacturing companies
need to remember to continually train their employees. Sure you want to
train them how to do their coworkers job so they can fill in when a coworker
is absent or on vacation. But you also want employees to keep up with
advances in technology and safety. Employees with well-developed professional
skills are more innovative and productive. Investing in the training of
your workers improves the quality and productivity of their work. Many
training resources are now listed ......click
to finish reading about Training your Metalworking Employees
March 25,
2013:
JET
Machine Tools are on sale - 10% Off:
If you were thinking of buying a metalworking machine, you are in luck.
Because JET Machine Tools are having a once a year 10% off sale until
April 5, 2013. Dont miss this opportunity to spend less money to finally
get the machinery your shop needs. Most machines even have free shipping.
Click here to read more.......
March, 2013:
An American success story: RAMS Sheet Metal Equipment Company:
There once was an owner of a machine shop in Wisconsin that was bored.
He had rows of CNC Machining Centers manufacturing components for his
various customers but he craved something more. One day about 7 years
ago he decided to start a new company to make HVAC Machines. These machines
form sheet metal into heating and ventilating ductwork The shop owner
designed and engineered his machines slightly different with extra precision
and a 2 year warranty. Today RAMS sheet metal
machinery is among the highest quality in the industry yet they sell
for just a little more than the imported machines from Asia. There are
now 18 different machines manufactured by RAMS, and more are in the pipeline.
A great business success story about high quality machinery made in the
USA. For more information about a RAMS Pittsburgh lock machines, rollformers,
slitter, powered flanger or the new RAMS plasma table, please call American
Machine Tools at 773-334-5000.
March, 2013:
Check out our newest educational webpage from American Machine Tools:
Do you know which metalworking machine is sometimes called the swiss
army knife of machine tools? You would if you have used one. Because
this machine can do in seconds what normally takes a drill press or a
saw minutes to do. Whether you want to punch holes, cut plate, cut angle
iron, notch steel, bend steel, or notch pipe, you should learn about these
very versatile machines. To learn more click on our educational webpage
called How to use an Ironworker
machine. American Machine Tools Company has 15 different educational
webpages dedicated to explaining how to use a machine, how to calculate
capacity, recommended bend radii, metal properties and machinery safety.
February,
2013:
U.S. Sales of Manufacturing Equipment highest in 16 years:
2012 total U.S. sales were $5.7 billion. 2012 Machinery and equipment
sales are up 2.6% over 2011. This shows that manufacturing is continuing
to grow at a steady pace in the USA. But the 16 year high is not as good
as it looks since it does not account for inflation. Also notable is that
much of the growth came from the southern states which posted a 12.2%
increase year over year and western states which had a 6.9% increase.
By contrast, sales in northeastern states dropped 9%. The information
is courtesy of the Association for Manufacturing Technology.
February,
2013:
Information
How to Become a Machinist or Tool and Die Maker:
Are you mechanically inclined, like working with your hands and are good
at making things and repairing stuff? Then maybe a career as a Machininst
would be good for you. These are good paying jobs that dont involve sitting
in an office cubicle. You actually get to make things on the job by using
a lathe, a milling
machine, and other machine
tools to cut and shape metal. How to get one of the jobs?........click
to read more about Training How
to Become a Machinist or Tool & Die Maker.
January,
2013:
JET
Tools Company introduces RED ASSURANCE:
Is your company in the USA? Then make sure you consider a JET machine
when you are looking to buy a new lathe, mill, drill, saw or belt sander
machine. Jet's RED ASSURANCE is the name they give to their philosophy
of extra helpful service and support after the sale. Designed to be the
industry's most dependable service and support guarantee, the RED ASSURANCE
philosophy is designed to give you extra peace of mind that you are making
a good choice when you choose JET......click
to finish reading about JET Tools RED ASSURANCE
January,
2013:
2013 brings changes to the U.S. Section 179 Tax Deduction for Machine
Tools:
Good news! The American Taxpayer Relief Act passed January 1, 2013 and
has extended Section 179 of the IRS Tax Code to allow a business to deduct,
for the current tax year, the full purchase price of business equipment
purchased, financed or leased up to a total of $500,000 in 2013. The $139,000
limit for 2012 was also retroactively increased to $500,000. This of course
includes metalworking machine tools. For 2013, 50% Bonus (accelerated)
Depreciation is still available, but only for new equipment (not used)
and can be deducted by large businesses spending more than $500,000 on
new capital equipment. This also effect businesses that have a net loss
in 2012 to qualify to carry-forward the Bonus Depreciation to a future
year. When applying these tax deductions, Section 179 is generally taken
first, followed by Bonus Depreciation - unless the business has no taxable
profit in 2012. There are certain limitations that apply to the Section
179 deduction including a $2,000,000 cap on total equipment purchases.
Additionally, the Section 179 deduction may not exceed taxable income
for the year in which it is taken. Ask your accountant.
December,
2012:
Check out one of the educational webpages from American Machine Tools:
Our most popular educational webpage is How
to use a Lathe. This section has explanations and 108 different diagrams
and charts covering the types of lathe designs, lathe safety, turning
operations, speeds, feeds, taper turning, thread cutting, carbide tooling,
tool sharpening, chucks, collets, cutting oils and attachments. We recommend
reading it, even if you are an experienced machinist. There is more information
there than even the most experienced machinist could remember. It is 2
huge long webpages full of information plus references to machinist tables.
Also visit our Lathe Diagram webpage which
names all the different parts of the typical engine lathe.....a good place
to start if you are a beginner.
December,
2012:
Only a few weeks left to lock in your IRS Section 179 Tax Deduction
for 2012:
• The machinery must be purchased before the end of 2012!
• The American Equipment deduction limit for Section 179 is now $139,000.
• The 2012 Umited States Section 179 Deduction threshold for total amount
of equipment that can be purchased is now $560,000.
• New machinery, and CNC software, qualifies for the Section 179 Deduction.
• New equipment purchased in 2012 qualifies for the "50% Bonus Depreciation".
• To maximize the deduction, Section 179 is taken first, followed by Bonus
Depreciation.
• To learn more about how this applies to you, call your accountant or
visit the IRS website.
• Hurry because time is running out! We are closed for the holidays after
December 21.
November,
2012:
Are Manufacturing Tax Credits Coming to an End?:
Important tax write-offs used by manufacturers for machinery and equipment
purchases, research and development and to keep jobs in the United States
are scheduled to expire at the end of the year. Bonus Depreciation, the
R&D Tax Credit and Section 199 Domestic Production are just a few of the
manufacturing tax credits that are set to expire next month unless renewed
by Congress. Which of these tax credits will survive depends upon you.
Call or write your congressman and senator!
November,
2012:
American Machine Tools Company develops new bore Facing Tool:
Are you in the business of reboring pivot holes on backhoes, endloaders,
excavators or machinery frames? We have designed a new facing tool that
attaches to our boring shafts. The tool is an aluminum disc that is engineered
to spin at speeds up to 350 RPM and faces an 8 inch diameter area. This
optional tool comes with replaceable coarse and medium grit round sand
paper discs that attach via sticky back. The sand paper is stuck onto
the disc and spins around while pushing against the rough spots that need
facing. Since we have priced the whole kit for under $200 you can now
afford to perform a facing operation quick and easy. This facing disc
is just the latest addition to our full line of portable
line boring tools. Our portable boring equipment is still made in
the USA, but without being too expensive.
October,
2012:
Are
you running criminal background checks on your shop personnel?:
If you are conducting a criminal background check on propective employees
before you hire them, it can now be no-win situation. You want to avoid
hiring a dangerous criminal but now you have to worry about what you do
with the information. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has
issued a new warning to discourage manufacturing companies from .......click
to finish reading EEOC guidelines for Criminal Background Checks
October,
2012:
Are
you ordering a machine tool for use in Canada?:
To our Canadian customers, we want you to know that buying from us is
not a problem. We can help. We have shipped hundreds of machines to Canada
over the years. We have trucking services that can deliver to most of
Canada. Not just BC, Alberta, Sasketchewan, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario
and Quebec......click to finish reading
how to buy a machine for Canada
September,
2012:
Ever been to the International
Manufacturing Technology Show in Chicago?:
IMTS. What a place! Right on the Chicago lakefront of Lake Michigan just
south of downtown. It is over now until 2014 but make plans to attend
if you are looking for ideas to increase productivity. Formerly known
as the International Machine Tool Show, IMTS happens every even numbered
year. There were thousands of machinery and equipment companies in 4 huge
buildings that took more than one day to see even if .......click
to finish reading about IMTS
September,
2012:
Current
slowdown caused by Europe or the election?:
Worrisome new statistics show that American Manufacturing has declined
slightly for the third straight month as new orders, production and employment
fell in August. Weak consumer spending and declines in business orders
for large machinery and other capital goods are slowing factory output.
Export orders increased but new orders, a sign of future production, dropped.
The report adds..........click
to finish reading about Manufacturing Slowdown
August, 2012:
Some Companies Cant Find Qualified Workers?:
You may not of heard this but some machine shops, fab shops and manufacturers
are claiming they cant find qualified people ready to fill some job openings.
Is this true? Then we need to send all our kids to Trade School to learn
machining and fabrication, not to a university to learn political science.
Perhaps the problem is not what it seems. Maybe one of the qualifications
some machine shops, fab shops and manufacturers are looking for is the
willingness of skilled craftsmen to accept a lower wage than they used
to get. Wages for these jobs have fallen in most parts of the USA due
to the recession and due to the competition from workers in other countries.
The invention of the shipping container and lowering of trade tarriffs
have created a huge economic problem. If foreign competion can bring things
into the USA with little (China) or no (Korea) trade tarriffs, how can
American workers compete? And now with some software, some cameras and
an internet connection, a company can have their CNC machines programmed
from workers in China or India. The highly skilled machining jobs in the
USA may not be as valuable as they used to be. This is a worrisome thought
if you are a dedicated CNC Machinist with kids and a mortgage. Our politicians
made outsourcing too easy and too profitable. Meanwhile, the Home Depot
and some other stores are now pushing shoppers to use the self service
cashier machine. American jobs are being replaced by people in foreign
countries and automated machines here in ours. Should we only use the
human cashier to save their jobs? Should we send our kids to trade school
to learn a skill or to a university to learn political science? What do
we do? Will any of our politicians in Washington help us?
August, 2012:
Consider a Digital
Read Out for your Machine Tool:
You may be surprised at all the machines that we can add a Digital
Read Out to. Or an Automatic Feed with Digital Readout. A great way
to improve the ease at which you can turn out accurately made parts and
do it repeatably. Such as +/- .001 inch. For a little extra money, we
can add a 2 axis DRO to a........click
to finish reading about a digital readout for your machine
July, 2012:
Educational webpages from American Machine Tools:
Want to read about How to use a Band
Saw machine? Our educational webpages include diagrams, blade selection
charts, recomendations for cutting speeds and feeds, plus special cutting
methods for both horizontal and vertical band saw machines. There is more
to it then you probably realize. You will find our HOW TO webpages to
be a helpful resource for both the novice and expert user. Click on the
link provided. The How to use a band saw webpage and others like that
we offer for free are another example of our helpful commitment to the
manufacturing community.
July, 2012:
Manufacturing Activity slows in June:
A surprise contraction in U.S. manufacturing activity in June is a worrisome
sign during this difficult economic cycle. Many had thought that manufacturing
was leading the way out of the recession in the USA. While the decline
in manufacturing was unexpected, the weakness was not across the board.
There are still jobs available in some segments of manufacturing and some
employers are having difficulty filling some skilled labor jobs. The shortage
of skilled manufacturing workers in some sectors could be encouraging
businesses to hold off on new orders until they get better idea of what
the future holds. Meanwhile, construction spending in the U.S. increased
a better than expected 0.9 percent in May which is a bright spot that
will hopefully continue.
June, 2012:
Ethics in the Machine Tool Business:
Some customers worry that machinery dealers may not be ethical in their
business practices. This can be a real worry for someone trying to buy
a dependable new machine tool. The perception is even worse for dealers
of used machinery. As if they had the reputation of used car dealers.
If you are a customer what can you do?
What should you look for? Before you buy, look for.........finish
reading about ethical machinery dealers.
June, 2012:
U.S. Manufacturing Activity Expanded Again in May:
That is 34 straight months of economic growth in the manufacturing sector.
The growth was measured to be a little slower than in past months. Perhaps
as a result of the slower growth, the prices of raw materials have fallen
since April. Hopefully the combination of continued growth and lower material
costs will spur higher profits and more hiring. The manufacturing industries
reported the most growth in May: Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Furniture;
Apparel, Leather Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Metals; Electrical
Equipment, Appliances; Fabricated Metal Products; Machinery; Textile Mills;
Paper Products; Electronics; Printing; and Chemical Products. Meanwhile,
sales of metalworking machinery at American Machine Tools Company are
steady, which could be seen as confirmation of the continued growth in
manufacturing.
May, 2012:
Another new Boring Cutter Positioning Tool:
We are now manufacturing a special Magnetic Mouting Bracket to firmly
position a customized Dial Indicator against the carbide cutter in our
boring bars. This new measuing set includes
a Dial Indicator with .001 inch increments, a flat pusher disc (that the
carbide cutter pushes against), and a Magnetic Mounting Bracket with multiple
threaded hole positions to screw the Indicator into. Our L shaped Magnetic
Mounting Bracket clips on next to any of our boring bar bearings. This
solid mounting system takes the place of the flimsy rods normally used
with a dial indicator.
May, 2012:
BUY NOW - PAY LATER by Leasing or Financing your machine:
We have partnered up with Marlin Leasing and Financing Company to provide
you with money to buy machinery now and pay for it in small monthly payments.
This allows you to take on a new job with a new machine and pay for it
with the money you will make on the new work. This will free up money
needed now for other purposes. For more information visit our Machinery
Leasing & Financing webpage where we explain it in more detail and
have a link to our Quick Quote Monthly Payment Calculator
where you type in the estimated machine cost and the calculator will show
you an estimate of what the monthly payment will be. Marlin is a well
known respected equipment finance company, which is why we suggest them.
We receive no benefit if you choose Marlin, our only benefit is your repeat
business.
April, 2012:
Important information about the IRS Section 179 Tax Deduction for 2012:
• The USA Equipment deduction limit for Section 179 is now $139,000.
• The 2012 Umited States Section 179 Deduction threshold for total amount
of equipment that can be purchased is now $560,000.
• Most new machinery, and CNC software, qualifies for the Section 179
Deduction.
• Only new equipment purchased in 2012 qualifies for the "50% Bonus Depreciation".
• When taking the deduction, Section 179 is generally taken first, followed
by Bonus Depreciation.
• To find out more about how this specifically applies to you, ask your
accountant or visit the IRS website.
April, 2012:
Visit our Youtube Channel:
Click to visit the American
Machine Tools Youtube Video Library on Youtube. Subscribe to our Youtube
channel. We have many videos of machines from AMT Line Boring, Birmingham,
Chicago Dreis & Krump. JET, and others. We have many more coming soon.
These videos show holes being welded, holes being bored, lathes, CNC and
and CNC mills, bending rolls, hydraulic shearing, hydraulic metal bending
machine and many many JET fabricating machines.
March, 2012:
Our Machine Tool Blog is 2 years old:
Now that we have been writing about the business of machine tools and
its users for two years, is there something you think we should write
about? We eat, sleep and breath machine tools everyday. We can research
ideas and write a paragraph or more about them in a short and concise
manner. We would like to hear your suggestions. Email
us by clicking this link.
March, 2012:
Our Q150 Line Boring Equipment now includes extra measuring tools free:
Order a Q150-S, Q150-L, Q150XLS or Q150E from us and we now include a
telescoping gauge set free and an extension set for the digital caliper
that we already include. These tools allow you to accurately measure inside
holes without pulling the boring shaft out.
March, 2012:
Newly changed Fein Auto-feed Magnetic Drill Press for our Q150 Line
Boring Equipment:
American Machine Tools Company and Fein Power Tools USA are proud to announce
that Fein is now manufacturing a special KBM-80U-Auto-LB magnetic drill
press specifically for our Q150 line boring
equipment. The Fein mag drill now comes with a slower auto-feed rate.
This allows you to bore larger holes up to 8 inches (200mm) diameter using
the autofeed without having to compromise cutting tool depth. The Fein
magnetic drill press is designed and manufactured in Germany, with tech
support from Fein USA in Pennsylvania. This powerful machine has auto-feed,
manual-feed, variable speed, adjustable position base, 3/4 inch (19mm)
chuck, Morse Taper#3 slugger bit holder and comes in a strong plastic
case with dolly wheels.
Febuary,
2012:
The manufacturing ecomony is really picking up!
2011 orders for machinery and manufacturing equipment were up 66%
compared to 2010. December orders were up 12.2% from November and up 12.7%
from December 2010. This information is according to the Association For
Manufacturing Technology and the American Machine Tool Distributors' Association.
Tracking of machine tool
consumption gives us a reliable leading economic indicator as manufacturing
industries purchase machinery and metalworking equipment to increase capacity
and improve productivity.
Febuary,
2012:
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,
2012:
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 such as
a CNC Milling Machine and CNC
Lathe. Basically, a lathe or a mill with a computer attached. On the
upside, it can render obsolete processes that used to be performed by
hand, at a slow pace and with high risk to quality and safety. Now that
the operator has had most of the physical hazards of manufacturing replaced
by a computerized machine, there's not a lot to do but push buttons and
perform equipment inspections, change tooling and maintain the coolant
at a safe level. Since it's a specialized skill, the job offers less 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 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 Threaded Measuring Tool Set 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.
Click for American Machine Tools Homepage
5862 Northwest Hwy
Chicago IL 60631 USA
Phone: 773-334-5000
Fax: 773-442-0314
Click to email us
Offers from American Machine Tools Corporation include include Terms and Conditions shown on our website.
Liability is strictly limited to those warranties of fitness for purpose and safety as provided by the manufacturer.
Products and Logos in this website are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies or mark holders.