The Ultimate Jig: Repeat Machining Made Simple - Manual Machine Shop

Every job is different, and some require special workholding techniques. This is especially true for the manual machine shop. When repeat jobs come in, we need ways to make these jobs go much faster and more efficient. So, we build custom fixtures.

In this video I show how creativity can make jobs go much better, or make them even possible. Thank you for watching.

Topper Machine LLC is an entirely manual machine shop located in Spooner, WI. Our videos will highlight some of our shop work.

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#machineshop #machinistlife #manualmachinist #machining #shopmadetools

[TopperMachineLLC]

☆☆☆Before you make a stupid and disrespectful comment about how I should clean, maybe consider the idea that I am BUSY TRYING TO FIND REPLACEMENT CUSTONERS!☆☆☆

[ron]

You are a rare commodity in today's work because of your work ethic, people skills and many talents. I hope others recognise it and work starts to come in soon.

[kdbyb]

There is NOTHING ugly or to be ashamed about regarding that vise you made! Actually, I find purpose-made, hand-made stuff like that fantastic.

[GeoffHome-ur]

This is what makes videos really interesting. Whilst CNC is interesting from a programming viewpoint, it's the original machining ideas which often get the job done.

[davidaarons]

Very cool fixtures. That old vise don't look that ugly and it works. Thanks for sharing.

[dirtfarmer]

I wouldn’t have thrown any of that away, I might need it again probably not, but I might. I’m a keeper
Thank you Sir for your video

[recycle]

As a blacksmith, we make a lot of our tools, thank you, bless you.❤❤

[RalfyCustoms]

Happy days Josh, onwards and upwards buddy 🎉 lots of love to you and yours from merry old England

[garydotson]

So sad about the loss of industry, every day we hear of more business closures. I wish you the best in securing new customers.

[crawford]

Top, keep doing what you're doing. Enjoy every minute.

[johnha-mitchell-sd]

I really enjoy your videos. I've learned a lot and enjoy your wry humor. Although I've been retired for 15 years, I feel your pain about the loss of business. I grew up in Wisconsin Rapids. There were a number of paper mills in the area that employed Dad and Mom, and paid their pensions until their deaths. The mill also employed me summers, allowing me to make enough to put myself through college. Almost all of the mills are closed down now and there is talk about demolishing them. That saddens me not only because of the history, but because they were primary employers in the area up until fairly recently. I wish you the best of luck and success.

[MWL]

Fixturing and jig building is an art unto itself. They are simple at times and super-complex other times. Before CAD systems and computer numerical control the fixture builders were highly skilled and well paid. I've learned over the years to keep them simple and robust. Sometimes you've got a 300 pound gorilla on a job that likes to smash the hell out of these things and a small .500" bolt can only take so much torque from a 15 inch adjustable wrench. But that vise is a keeper Josh !!
I've needed 1 that size many times in the past. Its just too bad we are so far away from each other. I know my bosses could send you some work but we are in Southern Ontario and the shipping would be prohibitive.
Cheers & Happy New Year.

[bostedtap]

Improved shop layout looks good Josh, always enjoy seeing shop made jigs and tooling, hope you're making more soon.
Heres to a prosperous 2025.

[alanm]

Thanks for the video. It is always good to see you. I can not tell you how many fixtures that we threw away. Some were for the welding robot and some were 10' long for the press brake. They take up so much space. Some were only used a couple of times. We did a lot to please our customers but for a few cents less per part they would go to someone else. We made parts for other companies. For Case we made replacement parts; a lot of auger tubes. We either had a lot of work or very little work. Stay warm. We had a few warm days for Christmas.

[tomessary]

Wonderful work … working smarter, even for one offs! THANKS FOR SHARING!

[CSWeldFab]

Happy New Year, from East Tennessee! I enjoyed the video. Thanks.

[lito]

I like your vice. Feels bad your area is suffering so much. Wish you better times in 25. Thank you for the content.

[gofastwclass]

Always interesting to see the creative ways people hold odd shaped parts or parts that are really too large or small for their machines. Thanks for sharing these.

[cogentdynamics]

I save too much stuff. Thank you Josh for your insight and perspective. I plan to ship my little project to you today or tomorrow since we are running some parts. Vise jaws might be something I “need”.

[PhilG]

I've been thinking about getting some Anchor Lube for a while now. I WAS going to order it from one of the other YT Machinists, but when you get it in I'm going to order it from YOU! Isn't much but I hope it helps...