Tool Protection Services

09/06/2026

If you’re ever unsure about the fitment of one of my spindle liners, I offer a Trial Liner.

The trial liner is approximately 6" long and includes all the same features as a full-length liner. It gives us a chance to test the fit, make any necessary adjustments, and confirm everything is right before you commit to a full liner.

It’s a simple way to take the guesswork out of custom fitment. 🔧

Not sure on your fitment? Let’s test it first.

09/06/2026

08/30/2026

Next week I’ll have the opportunity to travel to Chicago for IMTS (International Manufacturing Technology Show!) 🤘

I’m looking forward to soaking up as much knowledge and insight as I can, seeing new technology, learning about what’s coming next in manufacturing, and making some new connections along the way.

I’ll be taking what I learn and applying it to both my work and my personal business. There’s always something new to learn in this industry, and I’m excited to see what IMTS has to offer.

And of course… I plan on having a damn good time while I’m there! 😂

If you’re going to IMTS next week, let me know! Maybe we can link up, grab a drink, talk some shop, and put a face to the name. 🍻

See you in Chicago! 🇺🇸

08/21/2026

How did I get the idea to 3D print spindle liners?

At my daily job, I take a lot of pride in finding ways to incorporate additive manufacturing into the workplace. For me, it's not just about cutting cost. It's about sparking ingenuity and looking at problems from a different angle.

Spindle liners were one of those problems.

Ordering liners was becoming a frustrating process. We would get quotes back that were simply too expensive, or sometimes we couldn't find the right configuration for some of our older machines.

So I started thinking…

What does a spindle liner actually do?

Simple answer: It stabilizes the stock inside the draw tube of a CNC lathe.

How does it function?

The liner maintains a small clearance fit around the stock while providing the necessary mounting features to keep it secured in the draw tube.

Alright… check.

What kind of stress does a liner actually see?

The primary force it experiences is centrifugal force from the rotating stock.

That's when the idea started to make sense.

What if I could use additive manufacturing to make these? Could I find a material durable enough for the environment, develop a way to assemble them properly, and then actually put them through real-world testing?

At this point, I had zero intentions of starting a business or selling them. I was simply trying to solve a problem and see if the concept would work.

The first versions taught me pretty quickly that material selection was going to be critical. The heat inside the machine caused the original material to deform.

Back to the drawing board.

That's when I switched to ASA.

The higher temperature resistance, chemical resistance, and overall durability made it a much better fit for the CNC environment.

Then came the testing.

I didn't want to make one, run it for a day, and call it good. I wanted to see if this was actually a viable alternative.

After roughly 6 months of testing, modifying, and refining, I finally had something I was confident in.

And somewhere along the way, I started realizing…

Maybe this could help other shops too.

That's ultimately what led to the creation of Tool Protection Services.

What started as me trying to solve a problem at work eventually turned into a product and a business.

Sometimes innovation isn't about inventing something completely new.

Sometimes it's simply looking at something that's always been done one way and asking:

"Why does it have to be made that way?"

That's where this whole thing started.

08/20/2026

Really liking the look of the black spindle liner rack with the orange liners! 🖤🟠

Both products are available through Tool Protection Services.

Clean, functional, and built with the shop in mind. 🔧

08/19/2026

As promised, here’s Part 2 of the spindle liner assembly process! 🔧

Once the sections are aligned using the locating bosses, I use a heat staple gun to plastic weld the sections together. This creates a stronger, more stable connection between the sections and helps ensure the finished liner acts as one solid assembly.

I’m always looking for ways to improve the design and manufacturing process to make these liners as durable and reliable as possible in a machine shop environment.

08/17/2026

Here’s Part 1 of the spindle liner assembly process! 🔧

Each liner section is joined using a chemical bonding agent to create a strong, secure connection. I also incorporate precision connection bosses into the design to ensure each section aligns seamlessly during assembly.

It’s more than just 3D printing a part, the assembly and design details are what make the finished spindle liner work properly.

Stay tuned for Part 2! 👀

08/15/2026

🚨 CONCEPT PRODUCT — THE DRAW TUBE RAM ROD! 🚨

Tired of blowing chips out of your draw tube only to have them fly 5 feet across the shop and scatter everywhere? Yeah… me too. 😂

So I’ve been working on a little concept that I think could make a machinist’s life just a little easier:

🧹 Introducing the Draw Tube Ram Rod!

Designed to slide into your spindle draw tube and safely push those chips out instead of turning your machine into a chip cannon.

The concept is designed to:
🔸 Fit a standard straw broom handle
🔸 Also work with a dedicated 33" handle
🔸 Safely and neatly push chips out of the draw tube
🔸 Keep the mess contained instead of launching chips across the shop

And let's be honest…

You get to feel like a true American patriot loading a cannon every time you clean your spindle. 🇺🇸😂

This is still a concept product and currently in the design/testing stage, but I think there could be something here.

What do you guys think? Would you actually use one in your shop?

Drop your thoughts below, especially if you've got ideas for improving the design. 👇

08/11/2026

I've had the pleasure of doing a project like this and it's super satisfying!

08/08/2026

🔧 LET’S TALK SPINDLE LINER MANUFACTURING! 🔧

Ever wonder what actually goes into making one of my spindle liners? Here’s an inside look at my process! 👇

Other than material selection, this is how I manufacture my spindle liners for draw tubes under 40" long:

🖨️ STEP 1 — PRINTING
Each liner is printed in 3 sections, allowing me to produce longer liners while maintaining the dimensional accuracy and customization I need.

📍 STEP 2 — PRECISION LOCATING
I design each section with locating bosses. These make assembly much easier and, more importantly, ensure the sections line up properly so the stock through-hole remains seamless from end to end.

🧹 STEP 3 — CLEANUP
As soon as the parts come off the printer, they go through deburring and cleaning. Every section gets prepared before assembly.

🧪 STEP 4 — CHEMICAL BONDING
I use a plastic chemical bonding adhesive to secure all three sections into their proper position.

🔥 STEP 5 — HEAT STAPLING
Once bonded and aligned, I heat staple the three sections together. This mechanically reinforces the joints and adds another layer of durability to the finished liner.

✅ AND THAT’S IT!

From a spool of material to a finished spindle liner ready for the machine.

The best part? There’s no one-size-fits-all approach here.

With endless options for diameter, length, draw tube configuration, stock size, and mounting requirements, I can build a liner around YOUR machine and YOUR application.

That's what Tool Protection Services is all about, custom tooling protection designed by someone who understands the machine shop.

🟠 Tool Protection Services
Protect your tooling. Protect your investment.