Marvel Machining

10/16/2026

Repeat job that I’ve been buying full length bar stock for and cutting to size myself.

I try to avoid using the saw as much as possible, and after cutting up 5 or 6 bars over the last year, I decided I was done with that. 😂

Started playing around with quantity price breaks and found the sweet spot where having the supplier cut all my blanks to length was actually $20 cheaper than buying full length bars and cutting them myself.

These parts still require a stock prep operation before machining. The next goal is to eliminate that operation entirely so the blanks can go straight into the UMC.
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10/15/2026

My favorite type of machining and my favorite material, all wrapped into one! 😂

Fit and function were the only things that mattered on these rings.

I almost ran these in the mill just to bother some of you lathe dorks 😂
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10/14/2026

MRZP Calibration

Once a month, I run this test cut and probing routine to verify and update my MRZP values. The entire process takes about 20 minutes.

The routine machines features at B0° and B90°, with C-axis positions at 0°, 90°, 180°, and 270°. It then probes the machined surfaces and automatically updates the MRZP values based on the results.

Before adding this routine to my UMC, I used the factory MRZP calibration. The results were never great. The blends and location between different orientations weren’t terrible, but they were noticeable.

Since switching to this method, the difference has been night and day.
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10/13/2026

Full tilt!

Didn’t originally plan on machining this much in the first OP, but every time I take another look, I find myself adding another “might as well hit that feature while I’m here” toolpath. 😂

At this rate, there won’t be much left for OP2!
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10/06/2026

Programmed and ready to start running tomorrow.

We’ll see how this goes, no matter what order of operations I go with, it seems like it’s going to get questionable.
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10/05/2026

At what point do you buy extra stock?

Every order? Only on certain jobs? Do you factor the cost of that extra material into your quote?

The majority of my work is low quantity—usually less than 3 pieces, so I rarely buy extra stock just in case.

I also have the advantage of being able to get replacement material in 1–2 days if something goes wrong, so that definitely plays into my decision.

For me, tying up money in extra material that will probably end up sitting on the rack doesn’t always make sense.

What’s your approach? Buy extra for insurance, or order only what the job requires?
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10/03/2026

10/02/2026

Every once in a while, we get a little adventurous and machine something other than aluminum.

This time, we really went off the deep end and ran some stainless. 😂
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10/01/2026

5 axis morph to undercut surfacing a internal feature
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09/30/2026

Every year Marvel and Lux Salon donate 500 shirts to be sold at a Tackle Cancer football game at Zimmerman High School Football

Proceeds are donated to a selected family in the community.

This year we chose Brooks. Brooks is 2 years old and recently diagnosed with a rare type of Spinal Cancer called Ependymoma. Brooks has and will be undergoing treatment, but with him being the first ever diagnosed case for this type, treatment and a treatment time line is unknown.

Kaytlin, Brooks’ mom has had to temporarily close her in home daycare to care for Brooks. Jim, Brooks’ dad is still working, and continuing his duties as Assistant Fire Chief for Zimmerman Livonia Fire Department. He also helps take on the role of taking care of Brooks’ 2 siblings when hospital stays are required during treatment, and Kaytlin is away.

If you would like to donate:

https://tackle-cancer-2026.square.site/

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