External thread milling

In 1933, Sabin Mitchel and John Scott hired five workers, rented space in a small building in northeast Indianapolis and launched the Mitchel & Scott Machine Co. to make parts for heavy machinery.

It was a tough time for hopeful beginnings. More than 4,000 banks failed during the first two months of 1933, 14 million Americans were jobless and manufacturing, down nearly 50 percent from its 1929 mark, was in a freefall.

The fact that Mitchel & Scott persevered and prospered during the ensuing 76 years—compiling a client list that includes Cummins Engine, John Deere, Delta Faucet, Mack Trucks, Caterpillar Tractor and Ingersoll Rand—might owe as much to Depression-forged lessons as business acumen and craftsmanship.

The a JBO GFG-WFE shell-type thread milling cutter features eight cutters, which can be indexed six times.

“My dad (Dave Mitchel, company president) and his brothers, Tom and Steve, were good businessmen and very frugal,” said Jim Mitchel, director of manufacturing. “They were always prepared for hard times, and I know they learned that from my grandfather Sabin.” (Sabin Mitchel bought out John Scott’s share in the company in 1955.)

That prudence also extends to keeping a vigilant eye on ways to increase productivity and streamline processes. One recent example occurred in early 2008, when Mitchel & Scott saw a chance to improve an external threading operation.