Jim Flower LLC

According to Wikipedia, the Toolmaker is "the highest skilled individual in the manufacturing industry".

This kind of knowledge is earned the hard way, through actually spending the years in factories, tool and die shops, and machine shops.

This is a trade that teaches you something every day, if you pay attention. Yes, there are trade schools, and they are a start. Nothing, however, can replace real-world experience.

My experience started while I was still in High School in Chatsworth, California. I worked nights in a factory, running large punch presses. I looked up to the men in the toolroom, it seemed like these guys were magicians.

They were building complex Progressive Stamping Dies that I would later set up and run on my punch press.

The year was 1976. I graduated Chatsworth High School that year with a major in Industrial Arts. I have been involved ever since in the machine trade, and have had the fortune to be mentored by a few very talented machinists and toolmakers. Working with them, I found myself absorbed by the possibilities of manufacturing. My favorite mentor was Ron Hiam. Ron ran Ace Tool & Development in Santa Clara, CA. in the late '70s. Ron would say, "It's your techniques, on top of your techniques."

Later on, after working at a few other machine shops and tool rooms, I was hired by Schrey & Sons Mold Co. in Chatsworth, CA. Old Walt Schrey became my mentor in advanced design of Wax Investment Molds, and related tooling. I spent a few years with the Schrey family, and I am glad I did. Their company grew to be the world leader in wax pattern development. I would have stayed, but my dream was to relocate to beautiful Washington State, where I have made my home since 1985.

The engineers, the toolmakers, the moldmakers that I was fortunate enough to work with have given me a wealth of practical knowledge. Quite handy when it comes to solving a problem.

This is about craftsmanship. It's about quality, and attention to detail. It's about pride in producing something from raw material that performs well, and endures well.

Not to mention how satisfying it is to be able to build anything!

Seven steps to solving a problem:

Step 1:

Define the need. Analyze the dimensions of the problem. Narrow its scope where possible.

Step 2:

Visualize the solution to the need. Set a realistic, attainable goal.

Step 3:

Identfy the hurdles.

Step 4:

Explore different strategies to minimize the hurdles. Visualize and weight your options.

Step 5:

Move forward with your optimum strategy, while continually re-evaluating a backup plan.

Tackle the tough stuff first, to budget time.

Step 6:

Clear the other, easier hurdles concurrently or they will grow.

Step 7:

Wrap it up. Coordinate the different elements to a timely conclusion.