The Appalachian Tool field guides
Better questions.
Better machined parts.
A practical reference for the decisions that shape a machining job: the envelope, the material, the drawing and the evidence.
Guide 01 / Part planning · Turning
Will your part fit?
Size a turning RFQ correctly: distinguish swing, cutting diameter, part length and workholding, with ATM's documented machine capacities.
Guide 02 / Process selection · Large parts
VTL or horizontal boring?
Compare vertical turning and horizontal boring by part geometry, workholding, bore access and datum relationships before requesting a quote.
Guide 03 / Process selection · Small parts
When Swiss turning fits
Understand Swiss turning, guide-bushing support, live tooling and batch economics, plus the drawing and stock details a useful RFQ needs.
Guide 04 / Process selection · Multi-axis milling
Fewer setups with 5-axis
Choose between 3-axis, indexed 3+2 and simultaneous 5-axis machining by geometry, tool access, setup needs and inspection requirements.
Guide 05 / Quality & supplier approval
Buying from an AS9100D shop
Understand AS9100D certification, material traceability, first-article planning, and the evidence to request from a machining supplier.
Guide 06 / Drawing intent & inspection
A clearer machining drawing
Prepare clear machining drawings with GD&T, datum references, explicit standards, and general tolerances that match the part's function.
Guide 07 / Surface texture & function
Specify the surface
Understand Ra surface roughness, units, lay, filtering, and inspection conditions before choosing a machining or grinding finish.
Guide 08 / Material planning · Manufacturing
Choose the material condition
Compare material behavior without misleading scores. Learn which alloy, condition, heat-treatment and inspection details belong in a machining RFQ.
Guide 09 / Measurement & acceptance
Plan the inspection
Plan CMM inspection around datums, sampling, measurement uncertainty, and reports that connect results to drawing requirements.
Guide 10 / Tooling, repairs & small batches
From sample to useful tooling
Prepare a useful RFQ for fixtures, specialty tooling, repair parts, and low-volume machining with clear interfaces and acceptance criteria.
Guide 11 / Design definition & drawing readiness
A drawing without guesswork
Separate fully constrained CAD sketches from complete manufacturing drawings, with clear tolerances, datum references, and an RFQ checklist.
Guide 12 / Drawing interpretation · Geometry and trigonometry
Turn geometry into coordinates
Calculate nominal bolt-circle coordinates, triangle dimensions and taper angles from a fully defined drawing without inventing tolerances.
Start with your part
Have a drawing ready?
These guides help prepare a useful conversation. The final process depends on your stock, geometry, material condition and acceptance requirements.
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