Micron Updates

AdamFuzzyballs said:
New Year…New updates? Hope y’all’s holidays went well!
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Holy cow I can't believe its 2026. I am beyond grateful that the shop is slammed, and every single piece of equipment in the "knife shop" as we call it is busy with customer orders. There are a few jobs that are too much for the shop floor that are taking up my time, like rifle lowers (five axis WOOHOO) and huge inconel slabs and weldments that are definitely larger than we should be taking on, but who am I to turn down cool jobs. There is light at the end of the tunnel. I've been working on automating as much as possible with the shop to reduce admin tasks and give me more time for the cool stuff, like knives. As for progress in the knife department, we have almost all the fixturing in place. I'll get a video of the bevel grinding setup when I get the chance. I also picked up a super cool heat treat furnace from North Carolina to use for prototyping so I don't have to rely on outside sources for small runs. It even has a pneumatic door :O

Anyways I am not going anywhere, it's just taking a bit longer than expected. Hope everyones new year is going well! I'd love to hear about some of yall's projects!
 
SharpBits said:
It's always good to hear that US manufacturing is not dead. Every machine in use is great thing!
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Not even close to dead. I don't think it ever will be. We all have our struggles for sure, and I've got some good customers that are sticking by me as I learn some hard lessons. I gotta say the knife equipment put us in a position that we have strange equipment that larger manufacturers don't have a subcontractor for, like the blanchard grinder and the waterjet. I am really trying to push for more work to get another machinist, but we need a pretty good backlog as increasing labor expense by 33% is a huge jump.

The story of how we got the equipment and what we are trying to do with it is also an awesome ice breaker while meeting with customers. I think they just want to see that we are people that want to create and not just turn a profit with their wallet if that makes sense.
 
Happy Saturday everyone! Just wanted to give a quick update. I've been so busy at the real job still, so no movement on the knives yet. I worked almost every Saturday and Sunday of 2026. We've made so much progress with our organization and on time deliveries, so I am excited that once I can find another machinist I will be able to spend my time on Micron. I'm not going anywhere, just busy!

Olive is doing great too. Since diving into local manufacturing circles she is known by name at so many manufacturers across the central PA area. As you can see, she's on the prowl when she sees my mom's nylon turnings wig.

Anyways, I'll be working this weekend and next at least. Have fun and stay weird everyone!
 

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