🎥A Day in the Life: JW Machine

Welcome to Hutch Post’s new feature series "A Day in the Life." We've gone behind the scenes to see what "a day in the life" is like for some of Reno County's busiest shops, factories and businesses. We'll show the inner workings of facilities you may pass every day, to finally see what goes on inside. From boilers to donuts, join us as we learn how things are designed and produced right here in Reno County with "A Day in the Life." This series will be posted every other Sunday morning.

By ROD ZOOK
Hutch Post

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — James Weve’s vision has turned into JW Machine, a company that has grown steadily over the years. The company, located at 1003 Corey Rd., started small, but has grown into a company that many rely on to make or refurbish parts for just about anything.

After starting in his garage with two machines, James Weve has grown JW Machine into a bustling facility. While he has room at his facility at 1003 Corey Rd., he says he could use more.

Weve started with two lathe machines in his garage in October of 2017, making parts to order. Now, the company makes parts for many area manufacturers including Kuhn Krause, rollers for a company in Newton that makes treadmills, and Stinger Manufacturing in Burrton.

JW Machine can provide a host of services from large-scale numbers to smaller orders. The company can mill, grind and press products for just about any application.

After starting with just two machines, Weve’s complement of equipment includes vertical mills, metal lathes, presses, and other equipment to mill shapes and grind with precision. Weve has been a machinist for more than 15 years, specializing in CNC and Manual Machining.

Most of the equipment can machine fine parts with the help of a computer, but the company can also do a number of manual tasks at the shop.

He says his company prides itself on quality, precision, and efficiency on every job, big or small. Being small also allows the company to machine orders larger companies might not want to tackle. It's a common theme we have heard throughout our feature series.

While the machines are computer assisted, workers must constantly measure product coming off a lathe as temperature changes and other factors can bring a machine's part out of the close tolerances expected.

Weve’s company is small with five full-time and three part-time employees. Weve says he tries to keep some balance between acquiring more business, and being able to meet deadlines and provide service to existing customers.

While he is the boss and owner, Weve still likes getting behind one of the machines and putting it to work. It's work he says he enjoys. While the computer-controlled machines make the work look easy, there are many things to be watched during any machining process because of the very close tolerances the machine must adhere to.

JW Machine offers multi-axis, vertical and horizontal milling and machine work. One advantage is that the company can do smaller orders some other companies might not take on.

Measurements are being taken constantly to make sure changes in temperature and other factors don’t allow the parts to fall outside the tolerance allowed by the customer.

An example of the work done at JW Machine.

The machine industry is one where you can learn the trade at HutchCC or any other vocational school. Being able to work computers, taking pride in close quality control and knowing how to use precision measuring tools are essential to employment.

If your business or industry would like the opportunity to show off how you do things, contact Rod Zook at [email protected] or call 620-259-7396 and be a part of "A Day in the Life."

A Day in the Life is brought to you by:
Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce
Kincaid Manufacturing
JW Machine
Haven Steel

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