Tag: C Marshall Fabrication

What Does Obama’s State of the Union Mean for U.S. Manufacturing?

Posted by

Last week President Obama gave the annual State of the Union address. Many topics were talked about including everything from war to income inequality. A main theme of the speech centered on the revitalized success of the industrial sector and the overall economic recovery. The President pointed out that new manufacturing jobs are being added for the first time in decades. This is a good sign for not only the manufacturing industry, but also the country as a whole.

While the number of factory jobs began declining in the 1990s due to production moving overseas, that trend is beginning to reverse. In fact manufacturing is one of the main industries that have seen growth since the Great Recession, with more than half a million jobs added in the last four years. Some analysts have projected further growth this year due to more companies bringing back jobs to this country. Moving manufacturing overseas doesn’t make quite as much sense as it did a decade ago. Labor costs in China are rising while the US is seeing declining energy costs. These forces combined means companies can afford to ramp up production without outsourcing most of the work.

At Marshall Fabrication Machinery Inc., we are proud to offer manufacturing jobs right here in the US. The recent rise in manufacturing jobs is good for the entire industry, and we look forward to seeing more jobs come back to this country each year. For more information about the industrial sector and how it helps America’s economy, keep checking back with us!

Source: http://www.latimes.com/business/money/la-fi-mo-obama-sotu-manufacturing-20140128,0,5303871.story#axzz2rv5rS7yT

Increased Investment in U.S. Manufacturing

Posted by

U.S. manufacturing has been on the upswing for a little while now, and there are finally enough signs of positive trends that industry experts are hopeful for the industry’s long-term prospects. Investment in American factories has grown, spurring corporate investment and a turnaround in hiring.

American manufacturing companies are expected to increase their spending on equipment by 7 percent in 2014, up to a total of about $211 billion according to this article published online by The Wall Street Journal. The article cites a few cases of companies investing hundreds of millions of dollars into factory facilities in Alabama, Louisiana and North Carolina. Some of this investment is even coming from foreign companies, bringing money into the country instead of the other way around.

Employment levels within manufacturing industries are still at a level below what U.S. manufacturers enjoyed in 2007, before the country’s recession. However, since reaching its lowest point in 2010, total jobs in American manufacturing increased by 5 percent to about 12 million jobs. As investment in U.S. manufacturing facilities improves, we’ll need even more workers to fill the positions at those companies as well.

The United States currently endures a pretty massive trade deficit between foreign imports and domestic exports, indicating that it’s spending more than it’s producing. However, that gap also tightened up by $6 billion over the past year. That’s a pretty small piece of the total pie, but it is an encouraging sign that American manufacturing is exporting more than in recent years.

There are still a few issues confronting our country’s manufacturing goals that we may need to address before returning to prosperity. Many areas of our country are experiencing a shortage of skilled workers, and our businesses deal with higher taxes than in other countries. Still, the comparatively flat wages earned by our workers, as well as reduced energy costs within our country, has been encouraging far more investment in our economy.

Marshall Fabrication Machinery is on hand whenever you need metalworking machinery to handle your manufacturing jobs. From plate rolls to angle rolls and more, we provide the top quality in factory and machining equipment that your business deserves.

Gain in U.S. Consumer Confidence Lifts Spending Outlook: Economy

Posted by

American consumers turned more confident in December as hiring picked up, brightening the outlook for spending heading into 2014.

The Conference Board said its sentimentindex climbed to 78.1 from 72 in November, exceeding the median forecast of economists surveyed by Bloomberg and the strongest year-end reading since 2007. Other reports showed home prices climbed at the fastest pace in more than seven years and manufacturing was in a sustained expansion. The biggest employment gain in eight years, the rebound in housing and record stock values are boosting household wealth, which will help support spending in the new year. Companies from Ford Motor Co. (F)to Apple Inc. (AAPL) are pledging to expand operations in the U.S. as demand improves, a sign the world’s biggest economy will strengthen in 2014.

“We’re ending 2013 with good momentum,” said Stephen Stanley, chief economist at Pierpont Securities LLC in Stamford, Connecticut, and the second-best forecaster of consumer confidence over the past two years, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. “We’ve seen progress in the labor market. The rise in home values along with the run-up in equity prices is a big element of why people are feeling better.”

U.S. stocks rose, with the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index poised for its biggest annual advance since 1997, as data showed an improving economy. The S&P 500 climbed 0.3 percent to 1,846.72 at 12:13 p.m. in New York.

Home Values

Another report today showed home prices in 20 cities rose in October from a year ago by the most since February 2006, signaling the real-estate rebound will keep bolstering household wealth. The S&P/Case-Shiller index of property prices climbed 13.6 percent from October 2012 after a 13.3 percent increase in the year ended in September. A dwindling inventory of foreclosed properties has helped restrict the supply of homes for sale, pushing up prices even as higher mortgage rate cool demand. The real-estate market will probably get its next boost from gains in employment.

“There’s certainly room for home prices to continue rising in the coming year,” said Dana Saporta, an economist at Credit Suisse in New York, who projected a 13.7 percent advance in prices in the year ended in October. “As home prices continue to rise, more and more homeowners who are underwater on their mortgages will see their financial situations improving. Just getting out of that underwater position should be a big help to the economy.”

Survey results

The median projection in a Bloomberg survey of 59 economists called for the consumer confidence index to climb to 76. The Conference Board, a New York-based research group, today also revised up the November reading from a previously reported 70.4. The index averaged 53.7 in the recession that ended in June 2009.

The group’s present conditions barometer increased to 76.2, the highest reading since April 2008. Consumers’ assessments of current labor-market conditions also improved. The share of respondents who said positions were hard to get dropped this month to the lowest level since September 2008. Payrolls expanded by 203,000 workers in November after a 200,000 gain in October, and the jobless rate fell to a five-year low of 7 percent, according to Labor Department data. Employment is forecast to increase about 190,000 this month, which would make 2013 the best year since 2005. The improvement in the economy and labor market helps explain why the Federal Reserve on Dec. 18 decided it will trim monthly bond purchases to $75 billion from $85 billion starting in January.

Expectations Brighten

The Conference Board’s gauge of consumer expectations for the next six months jumped to 79.4, the highest since September, from 71.1 a month earlier. The proportion of Americans who said jobs would become more plentiful in the next six months rose to a four-month high. “Despite the many challenges throughout 2013, consumers are in better spirits today than when the year began,” Lynn Franco, director of economic indicators at the Conference Board, said in a statement. The gain tracked advances in other confidence measures. The Bloomberg Consumer Comfort (COMFCOMF) Index jumped to a four-month high for the week ended Dec. 22. The Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan index climbed in December to a five-month high. Automakers are among companies benefiting from growing confidence. Auto sales advanced to a 16.3 million annualized rate in November, the highest since May 2007, according to data from Ward’s Automotive Group.

Adding Jobs

Dearborn, Michigan-based Ford said this month it plans to add 5,000 jobs in the U.S. as it introduces 16 new vehicles in 2014.

“We also expect manufacturing, engineering and spending related costs in North America to increase next year due to the 2014 launches as well as for products and capacity actions that will be launched in later periods,” Chief Financial Officer Robert L. Shanks said in a Dec. 18 guidance call. He said the company “is, has been, and continues to be in growth mode.”

Cupertino, California-based Apple started taking orders this month for the new Mac Pro personal computer, which is being built in Texas with components made domestically as part of Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook’s $100 million Made-in-the-USA push. Improving sales are prompting factories to boost output, giving the U.S. economy another boost. Business activity expanded in December, capping the strongest three months in more than two years, another report showed today.

Sustained Growth

While the MNI Chicago Report business barometer declined to 59.1 from 63 in November, numbers greater than 50 signal growth. The index averaged 62.7 over the past three months, the highest since the period ended May 2011. Manufacturing, which makes up about 12 percent of the economy, has been expanding as demand for automobiles, construction materials and appliances keep factory assembly lines humming. A pickup in business investment and economic improvement overseas would help sustain gains and support growth into the new year.

“Some of the missing pieces for a stronger economic recovery are falling into place,” said Ryan Sweet, a senior economist at Moody’s Analytics Inc. in West Chester, Pennsylvania. “The consumer’s still going to have to do some of the heavy lifting, particularly early on in the year until the housing cycle kicks in and business investment ramps up.”

To contact the reporter on this story: Shobhana Chandra in Washington atschandra1@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Christopher Wellisz at cwellisz@bloomberg.net

Manufacturing to give economy a fresh push into 2014

Posted by

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) — Manufacturers likely ended 2013 by posting a seventh month of growth, which probably will help fuel a pickup in the broad economy and hiring in the new year, economists say.

This week’s data may also signal continued gains for housing and a rebound in confidence among consumers, the backbone of the U.S. economy. A series of good reports, following recent strong data on business spending and housing, bode well for 2014, economists say.

“As we get ready to close the books on 2013, we’re not only hopeful but reasonably confident (i.e., as confident as one can be in the often humbling world of economic forecasting) that, yes, 2014 will be the year when the U.S. economy finally shifts into a higher gear,” Richard Moody, chief economist at Regions Financial, wrote in a research note.

The data highlight comes Thursday, when the Institute for Supply Management will report on manufacturing in December. Economists polled by Dow Jones Newswires expect the data to show a solid expansion at 56.7%, but slightly pulled back from the 2.5-year high of 57.3% in November . Results above 50% signal growth, and the higher the reading, the faster the growth.

“That would still leave the index at a level normally consistent with strong growth in manufacturing output and employment,” Capital Economics analysts wrote in a research note.

Also Thursday, Markit will release its gauge of U.S. manufacturing. Both reports come two days after a report about Chicago-area business activity. A series of good manufacturing reports could mean that gross domestic product this quarter is stronger than economists are currently forecasting.

Housing on the rebound

The week also brings reports on housing sales, prices and construction.

On Monday, the National Association of Realtors will report on pending sales of homes for November. Economists expect the gauge to rise 1%, after declining 0.6% in October , according to a poll by Dow Jones Newswires. An increase in pending sales — these typically close within two months and can be used to estimate upcoming activity — would follow five months of slumps, when rising mortgage rates cut buying plans. But buyers now are becoming accustomed to higher mortgage rates and pricier properties, economists say.

On Tuesday, S&P/Case-Shiller will report on home prices, and economists expect that annual growth remained speedy, reaching 13.8% in October, up from 13.3% in September , according to Dow Jones Newswires. Low inventory and pent-up demand have been supporting escalating home prices. But eventually rising prices will slow down as more sellers become willing and able to place their homes on the market, increasing inventory.

On Thursday, the government will report on construction spending, and economists polled by MarketWatch expect monthly growth of 0.9% in November, led by new building for single-family homes, compared with 0.8% in October. A stronger housing market would reinforce broad economic growth, as owners and consumers feel more confident about spending. Labor-intensive construction of new homes also adds to growth.

“We expect further employment gains to improve household formation, a key determinant of housing demand,” UBS analysts wrote in a research note. “Combined with the lagged effects of quantitative easing on the willingness of banks to lend, these factors should allow for additional needed investment in housing, helping create the positive feedback loop that is key to a self-sustaining economic recovery.”

Consumers perking up

After weathering a government shutdown and partisan bickering over the federal budget, confidence among consumers is expected to rebound. Analysts track consumer confidence to get a feel for spending and clues about expectations for the labor market, among other topics. On Tuesday, the Conference Board will report its consumer-confidence index, and economists polled by MarketWatch expect the gauge to rise to 75 in December from 70.4 in November . Although holiday retail sales have been somewhat disappointing , overall consumer-spending growth picked up in November, according to the Commerce Department.

By Ruth Mantell, MarketWatch

Signs of Optimism Regarding the Strength of American Manufacturing

Posted by

Signs of optimism regarding the strength of American manufacturing have been popping up all over the country in recent months. Confidence in our domestic industries has been tough to come by in recent days, but some indicators of economic prosperity are starting to make their presence felt in factories and facilities across the United States.

Many know about the long decline of U.S. manufacturing during the last half of the 20th Century, and the global financial crisis of 2008 seemed to be a death knell for many. Concerns about the federal deficit and the outsourcing of American manufacturing jobs to foreign soil have become much more mainstream in recent years. Political battlegrounds have been staged simply on the promise of more work in manufacturing.

However, some data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the decline is bottoming out and may even be reversing, at least slightly. Between the years 2000 and 2009, the number of full-time manufacturing jobs in America was reduced by more than 5 million, from 17.2 million jobs to 11.8 million jobs. Although we’re nowhere near that 2000 peak, manufacturing employment has made mild gains every year since 2009. Currently, just under 12 million American workers are employed by manufacturing industries.

Percentage of gross domestic product is another important factor that determines the actual strength of American manufacturing and production industries. Again, the years between 2000 and 2009 were very damaging for these businesses, according to statistics cited in this piece published on Manufacturing.net. However, two years after 2009, manufacturing had recovered by almost an entire percentage point, contributing 11.9 percent of the country’s total GDP.

Manufacturing firms swept up in this wave of optimism should make sure that they have state-of-the-art machining equipment on hand to continue operating efficiently and take on even more projects. C Marshall Fabrication Machinery of Simi Valley, CA, is a purveyor of the best quality in plate rolls, angle rolls, press brakes and other metalworking machines.

On November 18-21, FABTECH 2013 returns to Chicago. FABTECH is the most important manufacturing show in America and everyone who wants to be someone in this business will be there. Our next post will focus on FABTECH, so be on the look out for that!

No snowplows in Ghana

Posted by

Metal goods at Obuasi market, Ghana

“Metal fabrication” and for that matter, the metal manufacturing industry, seem to have very different meanings and specializations, depending what part of the world you are in. A few days ago I was in London, admiring a fleet of brand-new snowplows, which stood brightly at attention, gleaming and winking in the autumn sun at the Heathrow airport. I remember thinking to myself, whoever got that contract is doing all right.

Now I am in Ghana, Africa, and I haven’t seen a single snowplow anywhere. It appears that the large metal machinery here is found mainly in the forests and other mining areas, and that bulldozers are much preferred over snowplows around these parts. But even here, those large machines don’t come cheap, and renting them alone costs around $2500 a day. Again, whoever has THAT contract is doing all right too.

To most Ghanaians, however, for whom a car is out of reach, heavy industrial equipment doesn’t seem to figure much into their daily lives. Instead, their idea of “fabricated metal” consists of rudimentary yet versatile tools that can be (and are) made by local blacksmiths using age-old –and time-honored– technology.

I went to the local market today to shop for a few items, and I found a section of the market that is in fact dedicated solely to manufactured metal goods. Among the things for sale were machetes (that’s Ghanaian for “lawnmower”, “coconut opener”, “nail trimmer” and goodness knows what else), shovels (aka “bulldozers”), knives, blades of all sizes and shiny black chunks of bitumen. I asked what this was used for and it was explained to me that it is melted and used to repair holes in buckets and things of that nature. Bitumen has been in use by humans for a very long time. It was also used by ancient Egyptians in the mummification process.

I’ve noticed that in general, the local technology here is geared primarily towards avoiding a dependency on electricity or fuel, which can be hard to come by in many areas. That’s why the women at the market use a bed of coals to heat their palm oil for the fried plantains they serve up fresh daily. That’s why the local “contract maker” uses a mechanical typewriter and carbon paper to draw up legally binding agreements. And that’s why everyone owns a machete but no one, not even the most affluent, seems to own a lawnmower.

That said, imagine how amazing it would be if they could get their hands on a C. Marshall Fabrication Plasma Burning Machine! I just might be able to talk one of the local blacksmiths into buying one…as long as it comes with a really, really long cord.

– Anja Wulf

Back to Basics: The Sledgehammer

Posted by

When it comes to the bare-knuckle basics of metal-working machinery, nothing says “old school” quite like the sledgehammer. This is “grassroots” machinery at its finest. Although they were and still are commonly used by blacksmiths to shape heavy sections of iron, the uses for a sledgehammer are practically unlimited. With this in mind, it only makes sense that in addition to her nail file and wallet, every woman should keep a sledgehammer in her purse at all times.

First of all, the name alone conjures up near-mythical images of wanton, gratuitous destruction. This is a good thing. Sometimes, all you have to do is casually mention the word, and people around you might feel more inclined to “do the right thing” when it comes to whatever that may be. So in that sense, the mere mention of the word “sledgehammer” might be enough to inspire your associates to work a little more quickly and efficiently. I’m probably preaching to the choir here since this is Management 101, but it does bear mentioning since this fundamental technique is so essential to good, effective leadership.

Secondly, it is a truly practical tool, and certainly its uses are not limited solely to ridiculously crude forms of metalworking. If you have a sudden need to bash something, a sledgehammer can be your best friend. Although acoustically there are few sounds more satisfying than sledgehammer-on-metal, it can also be used to bash a variety of objects or solids, from glass to concrete. I have personally witnessed an excellent instance of Man vs. Television, which took place in a neighbor’s front yard years ago, in which the sledgehammer being wielded by the Man was the deciding factor in winning that round. And yes, it was one of those neighborhoods that Bravo will never select for a season of Real Housewives.

Finally, the therapeutic benefits of using a sledgehammer cannot be ignored. If you aren’t willing or able to spend a day at a full-service spa (for either financial reasons or because you males are worried about getting your Man-cards revoked if you do), then consider the sledgehammer as an excellent alternative for your stress-relief needs. Not only is work with a sledgehammer excellent exercise, you will also find yourself extremely relaxed (if not completely passed out on the floor) by the time you have finished your sledgehammer workout. According to Wikipedia, “sledgehammers usually require two hands and a swinging motion involving the entire torso”, which makes it a comparable physical activity to Pilates. A note of caution, however: it pays to be slightly choosy about what object or surface you plan on sledgehammering. As effective as it is, it is difficult to rebuild something after it has been subjected to a sledgehammer workout session.

If you run out of ideas for your sledgehammer, you do what I did and Google “uses for sledgehammer”. You’ll be amazed. From driving fenceposts into the ground, to using them for both burglaries and for police-force raids to gain entry by force, the list of possibilities for a sledgehammer is nearly endless. With that said, my all-time personal favorite use for a sledgehammer can be found at WikiAnswers.com. The question being asked was, ““How do you take apart an upright piano?” One reader answered with the following gem (the typos aren’t mine):

“There are many ways if u dont want to be able to reassemble it afterwards take a hammer or better yet a sledgehammer or if u want it to be able to reassemble try using a screwdriver on the screws.

If u really want to take it apart to small pieces use some explosives.

Having had experience with a sledgehammer and an upright piano, I hope you are strong and in good physical condition – it will take all day. My husband suggests a catapult a la “Northern Exposure” and I tend to agree.”

If I could choose my own neighbors, I’d pick the couple that mentions sledgehammers and catapults as viable solutions for taking apart a piano.( read how to select best digital piano 2017 online) I really respect the fact that the wife’s recommendations for using a sledgehammer on a piano are actually backed by her own experience in the matter. I imagine that going over to their house for a beer would be highly entertaining. I’d just make sure to stay on their good side, and to not pick a home not located anywhere near the projectile path of their catapult.

-Anja Wulf

Now Hiring: Asteroid Miners

Posted by

A long, long time ago, in a galaxy we are all familiar with, asteroids rained all the gold, cobalt, iron, manganese, nickel,osmium, molybdenum, palladium, rhenuim, rhodium, ruthenium and tungsten that we will ever mine from this planet, onto the earth’s crust.

Based on known earthly reserves and growing rates of consumption in developing countries, it has been speculated that metal reserves essential for modern industry, including antimony, zinc, tin, silver, indium, gold and copper, could be depleted from Earth within the next 50-60 years.

For the above two reasons alone, I am willing to bet that international space exploration is about to take off. Why? Because at the rate we’re going, in a few years, you will no longer be able to look down for metals: you’ll have to look up. Space exploration is going to expand fiercely and rapidly because there is going to be an exceedingly practical reason for it that is far more interesting to most of us than pure science: namely, competition, and huge amounts of potential profits. Soon, we will be going to go back to the source for metal resources – and that will take us into outer space, into a fantastically interesting subject known as asteroid mining.

Near-earth asteroids are considered the most immediate likely candidates for asteroid mining. At 1997 prices, a small metallic asteroid no wider than 1 mile across was calculated to contain more than $20 trillion worth industrial and precious metals– so at today’s prices, it would be even significantly more than that. As another point of comparison, a 1 km-wide asteroid would probably contain more than 2 billion metric tons of iron-nickel ore, which would be more than twice the global annual production of iron ore in 2004. That doesn’t even include whatever precious metals it would also contain.

Apparently, there are three different ways of mining asteroids:

1. Bringing back raw material from the asteroid for processing on earth;

2. Processing the asteroidal materials on-site, thus reducing transportation costs and possibly even producing fuel propellant from the raw materials for the trip home; or (my favorite):

3. Dragging the entire asteroid to a safe orbit around the moon or Earth, so that the majority of its materials can be used and not wasted. It looks like pretty much all you need to know about asteroid retrieval methods, or “catching”, can be found in this handy Wikipedia link: Methods for asteroid retrieval or catching . Although probably a tad on the expensive side, it could be a far more interesting weekend hobby than fishing. At the very least, it brings new meaning to the idea of a pet rock.

What is interesting to note is that, although it is conceded that the cost of asteroid retrieval still outweighs their market value and that at current commodity prices and space transportation costs it is not expected to attract private investment, it doesn’t say anywhere that the technology needed to do this doesn’t exist. In other words, it can be done. And even if you or I can’t afford it right at this moment, it will be done. If you decide to get serious about this, it seems that all you need to know about the subject is available on Wikipedia. And remember, when the headlines about asteroid retrieval start circulating more regularly, you can say you heard about it right here, on the C Marshall Fabrication Machinery website blog, first.

-Anja Wulf

An Ode to the Ironworker

Posted by

I was looking through C Marshall Fabrication’s products on this website, and I have to admit, I was rather impressed by the ironworker machines. Forget even about what they can do: the name itself is pretty Old School tough-sounding. I just get the idea that if I was walking around with one, I wouldn’t have to worry about getting mugged in a dark alley. If I did actually run into any trouble, I could use my ironworker to shear, notch and punch holes into my enemy, assuming of course that my enemy was less than an inch thick. Quite a practical machine indeed, in addition to its cool name.

In an eager quest to find out more, I turned to my old friend Google and started searching the web for ironworkers. I wanted to find out what the original ironworker was, what it looked like, and where it came from.

Based on my extensive internet research into the subject, the predecessors to the modern ironworker machine originated from the northernmost parts of Europe, as early as 7000 BC. Although the original models were described as rather short and ugly, they were also associated with superior results in smithing, mining and crafting. The original word for these ironworkers was “dweorg”, which later became the word “dwarf”. A noble heritage indeed, steeped as it is in myth, mystery and even the supernatural!

What I found out next led me, quite frankly, to an uncomfortable impasse: a professional conflict of interest. For, although I never conceived of the possibility that C Marshall Fabrication isn’t offering the best of the best metal fabrication machinery available anywhere on the planet, I must confess in the name of being fair and balanced that Google did lead me to one ironworker with a very refined and unique feature that, quite frankly, the ones on C Marshall’s website do not offer. Sure, C Marshall’s ironworkers can shear, punch, notch and bend at least as well or better than any others on the market – but can they SING?

That’s right: I found an ironworker that can sing. So well, in fact, that Old Blue Eyes is getting a run for his money right now. Meet Gary Russo, a New York City ironworker on the 2nd Avenue subway line. On his lunch breaks, he sings Frank Sinatra songs to whoever might be walking down the street at the time. He’s so good that he has captured national attention, and his fan base is growing quickly. You can watch a YouTube video of one of his recent performances here: Singing Ironworker . He sounds so much like Frank Sinatra that some people have in fact questioned whether he’s just lip synching to the real Frank Sinatra voice (he isn’t).

So, although I am a mere spectator of the metal fabrication industry, I wonder if it would be too much to offer an ironworker on this website that can sing in addition to its other features. Based on the steadily increasing number of Gary Russo’s fan base, it might be just the thing that provides the ultimate competitive advantage. Of course, it might help if the ironworkers on C Marshall’s website looked a little more like Gary Russo too. I probably wouldn’t be the only female who finally breaks down and buys one.

-Anja Wulf

Practical Uses for Magnetic Boy in the metal industry

Posted by

Once again this week, I threw myself wholeheartedly into a Google search for the largest metal object in the world, if only because I know that my scores of avid followers on this blog have all been holding their breath since I brought this subject up in last week’s blog entry. And once again this week, I got completely sidetracked. You would have too, after scanning the Google results for “large metal object”.

Just so you can have a better understanding of what came up on this search, here are a few samples:

“A large metal object drifts slowly through space…”

“An unusually high-velocity large metal object concealed in the nasal septum.”

“Large metal object found located under sea”

“Trapped inside a large metal object flying for ten hours.”

“Large metal object falls from sky in Roosevelt”

“A college student was killed in a freak accident when, according to police, a large metal object fell on him Friday”

“I have a large metal object caked in cement. “

“Have you ever wanted your very own custom-made metal object?

I admit that an unusually high-velocity large metal object concealed in the nasal septum REALLY grabbed my interest for a while, but I just couldn’t figure out how to turn that into something relevant to C Marshall and my thousands of devoted readers on this site. So on went my search, with many detours, until my search fingers were stopped dead in their tracks by the following Google result:

“Magnetic Boy, 7, attracts electronic and metal objects”

The first thing I did, of course, was click on the above and read the information about this Magnetic Boy. It came from a legitimate source and there was no air of “hoaxiness” in it.

Then I watched the video. You can watch it for yourself right here: Magnetic Boy

Folks, this kid is for real. He’s magnetic. Metal is attracted to him and sticks to him. In the video, he’s got forks and knives and the TV remote stuck all over his chest. No one else in his family is magnetic and of course there’s no good explanation for this, but there is no denying that this boy is a human magnet. He’s not allowed near the computer because he makes it go weird. I’m sure he’ll have a lot of trouble with credit cards, cell phones and electronic keys too. For some reason he can even get china plates to stick to him. However, because this is a blog about metal and metal machinery, we don’t really care about the china plates, do we?

Imagine having a magnetic boy of your own. You wouldn’t need a metal detector anymore: you could take him to the beach to find buried treasure, coins and jewelry. Once a huge chest of gold coins gets stuck to his chest, you can cash out and buy yourself a sturdy boat. Now you’re really in business: load up the kid on your boat and head for the high seas. Sooner than later, giant shipwrecks, plane wrecks and other metal objects of all kinds will get sucked to the ocean’s surface and you can help yourself to what you want and sell the rest as scrap metal. Now that you’re the scrap metal king of the world, you can take him to Ghana or Venezuela or Mexico or Nevada to find gold and other underground precious metals. You’ll already have the cash from your scrap metal operation to fund your mining business.

Now you can retire in style and pretty much do what you want. You might feel inclined to contribute to the betterment of humanity by renting out your kid to the military to ferret out terrorist organizations by finding their weapons stashes. Once that mission has been accomplished, you can rejoice that you have now created world peace.

I wasn’t able to find any more recent updates on the Magnetic Boy. Is it possible that he already went underground and had something to do with finding bin Laden’s location?

I wouldn’t rule it out.

-Anja Wulf