Articles
Answers to the 'wait, how did that go again?' questions that come up on the shop floor, with diagrams and calculators. Figures and standards come with sources.
I built a shelf of articles right next to the toolbox!
News
Machine Tool Orders All but Certain to Set an Annual Record in 2026: ¥1.4461 Trillion Through August (JMTBA)
JMTBA order statistics show machine tool orders of ¥1.4461 trillion for January–August 2026 (140.9% year-on-year). August was the second-highest month ever at ¥197.9 billion, with overseas orders at a record high. The annual record (2018) is ¥369.7 billion away: ¥92.4 billion a month over the remaining four months would break it.
Qualifications
How to study for the Machine Maintenance Technician Grade 2 exam (mechanical): frequent topics from the past 3 years and a plan for the last 2 months
For the Machine Maintenance Technician, Grade 2 (Mechanical Maintenance) exam on Dec 13, 2026, a Japanese national trade skill test: charts of written-test questions by field over the past 3 years, the themes of the 8 practical-test tasks, and pass rates, plus how to structure your last 2 months of study.
Troubleshooting
How to remove a broken tap: a decision flow by situation, and how to prevent breakage
How to remove a tap broken inside a hole depends on the tap type, its material and the machine you can use. This page sorts out the pros and cons of extractors, removal drills, EDM and dissolving in a flowchart, and covers 7 ways to avoid breaking taps plus a calculator for tap drill hole depth in blind holes.
NC
Canned cycles at a glance: how G81, G83, G73, G84 and others move, and how to choose (machining center and lathe)
A list of machining center canned cycles G73–G89 and lathe cycles G70–G76 and G90/G92/G94, with motion diagrams. Includes a flowchart for choosing one, the difference between G98 and G99, program examples and 7 common mistakes.
Tools
How to Extend Tool Life Despite Rising Tool Prices: Taylor's Tool Life Equation and a Minimum-Cost Calculator
With carbide tool prices still rising, how do tool life and tool cost change if you lower the cutting speed a little? Check Taylor's tool life equation and the minimum-cost tool life (Gilbert) with calculators, and get the tool life criteria and 8 ways to extend tool life.
Trade shows
JIMTOF2026 Visitor Guide: Hall-by-Hall Venue Map and Highlights
A venue-map guide to covering JIMTOF2026 (Oct 26–31, 2026, Tokyo Big Sight) in one day: what each hall exhibits, routes by goal, pre-registration, crowded days, and what to bring.