Comments on: LeBlond Stands With Machine Tool Schools

By: Michael Barnes

Michael Barnes — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 14:32:40 +0000

In reply to Dave Huffman. Point well made, Dave. Thanks for the comment.

By: Dave Huffman

Dave Huffman — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 01:11:44 +0000

asking them to support legislation exempting educational institutions from the application and payment of tariffs. This would require them to admit that the tax or tariff is paid by the buyer not the seller or the seller’s government. This seems obvious but appears to be confusing to some. If you were going to be trying to make a case for favoring educational supplies in the tariffs you might want to include getting some kind of clarification about how often the tariffs would change. It’s hard to imagine how many companies are doing nothing about opening a new factory or shop because the rules they are trying to build for change like the weather. I’d be terrified to be breaking into a new project today.
Keep making great lathes !!

By: Michael Barnes

Michael Barnes — Fri, 13 Jun 2025 21:11:32 +0000

In reply to Marc Hollingsworth. Thanks for your feedback Marc. Your perspective is appreciated!

By: Marc Hollingsworth

Marc Hollingsworth — Fri, 13 Jun 2025 20:49:04 +0000

When I was in Highschool, back in the 70’s, I took all the technical studies they had to offer, I even became the teachers aid in the machine shop my junior and senior years. Like Michael, I too graduated from a Machine Tool Technology course along with an AA Degree from a local junior college. I spent the following 8 years working in a local Job Shop, where I learned a great deal of practical skills and knowledge. We worked on everything from prototype to production jobs, from parts for the Intel-Sat 5 Communications Satellite to parts for IBM’s Highspeed Printers. I worked with many older Journeymen who had been machining during WWII, from both sides of the conflict, it was quite an education. These were folks who could teach you in minutes, things that would save you hours of mistakes and anxiety. Sadly, much of this “seat of the pants” knowledge is lost to time.
I’ve been working for a major commercial airline for the past 40 years as a machinist, repairing aircraft parts. When I started there were many “old timers” here too, and I realized that I still had more to learn. What I see today in the new people coming to work here is a big gap in the basic skills and training of machine work. They’re good workers but they are limited in their basic background skills and knowledge.
I am 100% behind President Trump and his efforts to rebuild the manufacturing base of the United States before it’s too late.

By: Michael Barnes

Michael Barnes — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 20:40:18 +0000

In reply to Michael Cunningham. Agreed Michael! Thanks for the comment.

By: Michael Cunningham

Michael Cunningham — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 15:49:18 +0000

I graduated a Machine Tool Technology program 35 years ago and have had a great career as a machinist, expanding to a Master of Maintenace and now one of three plant managers of a large machining operation for the public utilities sector. The old timers are slowly retiring and new blood is hard to find. Kids now think that if you’re getting your hands dirty you’re not making money, when the truth is that we do better than most of today’s executive jobs requiring a 4 year degree. This is a very important issue for our country.

By: Michael Barnes

Michael Barnes — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 14:50:59 +0000

In reply to Richard Schoen. Thanks Rick. Help is on the way!

By: Richard Schoen

Richard Schoen — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 14:25:34 +0000

This is from someone who has been supporting American manufactures for 53 years. At 71 my customers beg me not to retire. But I know no one is working behind me to fill the gap. No one teaches most basic skills to work on Hyd. systems. Complex mechanical systems. No one teaches the Millwright trade to install, set up and re-locate these machine tools.
Please help.. I’m just about ready to put away my tools.
Thank you
Rick S