Great CNC Programming Starts at the Machine

Why hands-on machining experience, workholding knowledge, and continuous training still matter After more than two decades in manufacturing, one thing I have seen over and over is this: The best CNC programmers usually understand machining from the machine side first. Programming is not just about creating a clean toolpath or making something look good in…

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Built on Relationships. Driven by Service. Since 1984.

Built on Relationships. Driven by Service. Since 1984. Manufacturing has changed dramatically since S&D Industrial Tool Supply opened its doors in 1984. Cutting tools have become more advanced, machines have grown faster and more precise, and new technologies continue to reshape the shop floor. Through every change, one thing at S&D has remained constant: our…

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Your CNC Machine Isn’t the Bottleneck—Your Workholding Might Be

Every machine shop wants more spindle time, higher throughput, and a lower cost per part. Yet when capacity becomes tight, many manufacturers immediately start looking at new machines, additional labor, or upgraded tooling. What if the real bottleneck isn’t your machine? What if it’s the way you’re holding the part? At S&D Industrial Tool Supply,…

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The Changing World of Manufacturing

Over my 48 years in the machining industry, I’ve witnessed incredible advancements that have redefined how we manufacture products, from everyday items to cutting-edge technologies. It’s easy to overlook the impact of innovations that have become standard practice. Here are a few key products introduced during my career that truly changed the game: Indexable Carbide…

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Innovative Solutions for Aluminum Extrusions

Innovative Solutions for Aluminum Extrusions In the competitive aluminum extrusion manufacturing industry, S&D’s customer faced challenges with poor tool life and frequent breakage, leading to high tooling costs. To address this, S&D introduced a solution from LMT ONSRUD, a leader in cutting-edge solutions for aluminum extrusions. The success stories of LMT ONSRUD highlight the effectiveness…

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The Power of Inventory Management

Significant Growth led to overspending and stock outs A cutting-Edge Space Company experienced significant growth in recent years. However, this growth also posed some challenges for the company’s tooling management system. Challenge Tooling items, such as cutting tools, inserts, and holders, are essential for the Space company’s machine shop to produce quality parts that meet…

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The 60HRC Drill Challenge

Recently, a client took on a job as a favor to assist one of their regular customers. However, they discovered that the D2 Steel material, originally specified at 40 HRC hardness, was received at 60 HRC hardness due to an error in the customer’s order. With the longer lead time for the material, the client…

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From Scrap to Cash

In the manufacturing industry, the costs associated with scrap are widely recognized. This is especially true when dealing with investment casting parts that have undergone extensive machining. A single mishap during this process can result in significant waste of both time and money. Recently, one of our clients encountered a similar scenario. During the final…

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More Than Just Tooling

While S&D primarily specializes in cutting tools and the application of those tools. We also work to meet all our customers to meet their PPE (personal protective equipment) needs. A large machine shop, with about 125 employees, utilizes one of the VMI systems we offer to manage the inventory and PPE needs. Our sales associate…

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