Well known in his industry, Dan Kubin is making unique tattoo machines that sell out typically within the same day he posts them on his website each Wednesday. “I make and sell multiple models of tattoo machines, making about 50 week right now, and still have a hard time keeping up with the demand,” explained Kubin. “A couple of months ago, I purchased a Webb milling machine with an Acu-Rite Solutions MILLPWRG2 control on it from a HEIDENHAIN / Acu-Rite Solutions distributor — Accurate Measurement Systems (AMS) in St. Louis — so that I can more efficiently work on these projects.” Kubin is located in Independence, MO.To many, Kubin’s tattoo machines are reminiscent of the Steam Punk style which embodies futuristic characteristics of an industrial era, often utilizing bright brass and copper. “If it is Steam Punk, that is unintentional. All I can say is that I like this look, as well as the use of brightly colored finishes, and working with brass and copper,” added Kubin who is also a practicing tattoo artist having done both for many years. Kubin started his interest with the tattoo business around 2005 during his time in the Air Force where he served as a machinist and welder. Until recently, Kubin has been designing and developing his tattoo machines manually, then outsourcing the machining. He explained that since he has so many different machine designs with much custom work, and that they keep changing, it had become very frustrating for all involved to keep up with his evolving creativity. “So I finally decided to buy my own milling machine in order to develop my new parts exactly the way I want them, when I want them,” explained Kubin. Kubin visited AMS in St. Louis and decided to buy their new demo machine right off the floor. “It blew me away,” added Kubin. “This machine with the G2 control allows me to do all kinds of things right in my home shop. With it now, I use it for rapid prototyping. I have the two-axis version so I am able to [...]

A couple of hobbyists in southwest Florida with a 2-axis Bridgeport and MILLPWRG2 use that system to build custom one-off parts for street rods and hotrods. Hobbyist Len Milheim is a master tool-and-die maker from Michigan, and Bill Hutchison is a retired high-tech industry exec. They have teamed up over the last couple of years in Sarasota, FL, to make some really cool custom hot rod parts. Project 1: Transmission Adapter Hutchison is currently rebuilding a 1949 Studebaker ¾ ton pickup truck and was unhappy with the 3-speed column shift transmission, but wanted originality. So he found a 1949 Studebaker 4-speed out of a larger truck, and Milheim designed and cut this aluminum adapter to mate it to the original engine block. Pictured here is the original 3 speed on the right. The shiny ring on the 4-speed on the left is the collar that adapted the 4-speed input shaft to the clutch and pressure plate. These two units allowed the old 4-speed to bolt right up. Project 2: 1948 International KB6 Dash Hutchison has a 1948 International car hauler sitting on a late model Freightliner chassis. A lot of fabrication was required for this combo. According to Hutchison, this solid aluminum dash bezel was machined from a billet and matches the dash contours and houses all the rocker switches. He noted the engraving under each switch, stating that was also done with the G2, as was the engraving on the steering column horn button (picture right) sitting on a custom base to mate the handmade leather covered steering wheel to the steering column. Project 3: Custom Rear Axle knucklesA more ambitious current project under way involves the machining of one-off custom rear axle knuckles to adapt a 1996 Corvette independent rear suspension assembly to a 1955 ½ ton pickup truck. Hutchison says “I have built hot rods for years but I am a blacksmith compared to Len the “jeweler”.Len is making it possible to produce exceptional one-of-a-kind components for my projects that I never thought affordable before, but [...]