Jim Flower LLC

Machinist? Toolmaker? Or Inventor?

Sultan, WA. man offers "old school" talent.

Shown at right:

Titanium Gavel.

One piece solid billet, cut from 3" bar stock. Maple Burl striker with cork bottom, knurled stainless steel sleeve.

Aesthetics = Form, Fit and Function.

 This one was presented to Mayor Carolyn Eslick of Sultan.

Due to the "one piece" construction, the gavel set

took over 30 hours to build.

THE STORY:

Recently, I gave a talk at our local Chamber of Commerce meeting about what a Toolmaker does. One of the members asked, "So, you make hammers and such?"

My off-the-cuff reply, "I could cut you one out of solid titanium if you like!"

This led to a promotional idea: there was a Mayor's election soon. I would offer a titanium gavel to the winner!

Mayor Eslick uses it daily, and loves it's feel. I supplied her with a padded carrying case, the kind used for pistols. A real conversation piece!

PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS FOR EVERYDAY PROBLEMS!

Quality = Value. Results = Profit.

Simple equations...so what does this mean to you?

In business and industry, successful people build teams. Your team should include someone who can solve complex problems. A real time saver.

Build your team with quality people, and profit follows. How is that? Because profit comes from results; in less downtime and fewer hurdles, the whole project costs less.

Here are my stats:

I've been reading (and drawing) prints, and manufacturing high quality parts and tooling since the 1970's. I've designed and built some really cool stuff through the years, and worked with some phenomenal people. I started my business in 1987. Here is just a sample of projects in my back files:

Aviation: extensively with radial engine parts and service tools. Test cell prototype support. Cylinder rebarrelling program. Avionics test benches. Resoration of rare or obsolete radial engine parts. Quality control program, meets FAA requirements.

 Defense: including research support of new mine-sweeper technology.

Oceanic Research: titanium and stainess steel components for mini-submarines. Work directly with engineers to refine new concepts.

Bio-Medical: including investment cast molds for surgical joint implants. Prototype development of portable biofeedback equipment for military use.

Heavy Industry: reverse engineering obsolete machine components and updating to modern performance levels. Quick turn-around machining. Jigs and fixtures. Inspection tools and gages. Shafting manufacture and repair or modifications. Boring, sleeving, threading. Drive components.

Top Fuel Racing: 12 years at the dragstrip. 

Designed and fabricated a successful Top Fuel Harley from the ground up. Invented the 5" belt drive now the standard in nitro racing. Originator of the Nitro Cup for Innovation and Technology, an annual award in the CMDRA.

Trained in CATIA V5 Design Software.

TOURS DAILY!

Call me at (360) 793-2196 to arrange for a tour. Individuals or small groups welcome.

It's just me, working in my well equipped (and well swept!) machine shop. I'll answer the phone, unless I have a machine running; just leave a message. I will call you back. Thanks!

"It's all just squares and circles."

-One of my favorite quotes from an early mentor, a toolmaker named Al Hanson.

Most toolmaking and machining can be understood as working with three axis, (X, Y and Z).  "Squares and circles", and a little basic math.

The top picture is of a cylindrical Master Square used to calibrate an angle plate.

Pictured above: a three station tool turret for threading aircraft cylinders, custom built for my Nardini 17" lathe. This setup took a bit of development before I was satisfied that it was smooth and precise. It is a real time saver now, on a job I have continually run since 1991.

Pictured below: fixture for repairing Propeller Shafts on the Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Radial Engine. This tool does two operations; one horizontal and one vertical. The job is to sleeve the pinion bearing races.

An example of restoration work on very rare engine parts.