Even as most parts of the country ease back into normal life, a lot of us are still spending more time at home than we normally would. It’s all about using that time as productively as possible. Sure, we’re all champing at the bit to get production back up to full speed, but in the meantime, use your hours at home wisely. There are plenty of amazing online resources for machine shops that will help stay up-to-date, discover new innovations and maybe even teach you a thing of two. Here are just a few of Custom Tool’s go-to sites. 

Modern Machine Shop

First on our list of resources for machine shops is Modern Machine Shop. MMS provides a one-stop shop for pretty much every resource a machinist could need. From an online magazine to one of the most robust blog spaces in the business, MMS tackles the hottest topics and trends in machining as well as all the breaking news your organization needs to keep your finger on the pulse. 

There’s something for everyone at Modern Machine Shop. We’re especially a fan of the “Zones” section that lets you find all the latest news, product info and other information on the topics that matter most to you. MMS has also done a great job of covering the machining industry’s response to COVID-19. 

SME.org

The official home of the 90-year-old Society of Manufacturing Engineers, SME.org offers a huge wealth of information and resources for pretty much every industrial sector. While some features of the site require a membership, there are plenty of free resources, too. 

SME’s mission is to empower manufacturing professionals through knowledge, training courses and certifications. The organization also sponsors online and in-person events across the country. The Manufacturing NEws section is always timely and gives you the current events in a straightforward, no-nonsense manner. 

Assembly Magazine

Although it’s a subscription-based platform (one that’s well worth the money), readers can access a limited number of free articles. Assembly covers pretty much every industry that deals with putting things together. One of our favorite features is the ability to find information based on your specific industry. 

Featured articles are always thought provoking and take a look at where manufacturing is headed and all of the new advancements and innovations coming down the pike. If you’re looking to stay current, it’s well worth the subscription. 

Custom Tool Engineering

We might be a little biased, but we sure love this site’s name when it comes to online resources for machine shops. This another great resource that helps you remain current on all things tooling and grinding. You’ll find specific sections for product news, company profiles and helpful information for running a better shop.

In particular, CTE offers a great op-ed section with blog posts from CTE editors. If you’re looking for insights from people with their fingers on the pulse of our industry, this is a great place to start. 

NTMA.org

The National Tooling & Machining Association’s website offers plenty of great articles and resources, as well as other tools to help machine shops succeed and attract top talent. Through its membership program, machine shop managers can network with other manufacturers, receive select discounts and even enroll in online training courses. 

NTMA also offers The Job Shop Show podcast which is available to download on all of your devices. The show offers conversations with shop owners, suppliers, customers and others to share their success and lessons learned “all in the quest for raising the bar for Custom Manufacturing.”

Resources for Machine Shops Help You Stay in the Know, and so does Custom Tool

Allow us to add ourselves into the mix. If you follow us on LinkedIn or Facebook, you’ve probably noticed we share a lot of articles from all of these sites. That’s because we believe staying current with all things tooling and grinding makes everyone in the industry better. Make sure to check out the rest of our blog for helpful tips, news and some other fun stuff. Or, as always, feel free to contact us for a free quote on your next project.