Tag: metal fabrication machinery

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

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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

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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

Where does the 3D Printer stand in the future of Metal Fabrication?

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Lately, there has been a lot of chatter surrounding the 3D printer and its capabilities as a manufacturing machine.  For people in the metalworking industry, innovative technology continues to push the industry and allow for faster production.  Just look at our 4 plate rolling machine. We’ve tried to transform the way companies bend metal, including the elimination of gear transmission, gibs & ways, bushings, clutches and synchronization devices. 3D printing machines are trying to do the same thing.  They want to transform and create new innovative ways to increase production and profits.

 

For some people, they worry about the future and how the 3D printer might change the manufacturing community.  For now, 3D printers strictly work in plastics and haven’t moved onto metal or mixed use materials. There are different opinions on the subject. Could the 3D printer put metal fabricators on the backburner, or will it provide new supply options? Metal Miner, a sourcing and trading intelligence for global metal markets had this to say in an article written by Stuart Burns earlier this month. “Any technology that creates new supply options for metal buyers has got to be a good thing in our books.”

 

For now, the future of 3D printing still seems unclear.  There are distinct advantages and disadvantages to every new technology.  The companies that evolve and push the envelope of creativity and efficiency generally win in the battle for longevity.

C Marshall Fabrication Machinery, Inc. has over 30 years’ experience in the metal fabrication industry. Over that time, we’ve seen many different innovations come and go. The 3D printer certainly is another exciting possibility, but appears to be years away from coming to fruition for the metal fabrication industry. As always, finding you the right machine to remain competitive and profitable is our goal, no matter what type of technology exists.

The Benefits of Using A 4 Roll Plate Bending Machine

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MG Plate Rolls & Plate Rolling MachinesMetal-working companies who need to optimize their production look for a machine that can pre-bend and roll their metal efficiently to produce the products they in turn sell. We carry a 4 roll hydraulic plate bending machine and a 3 double pinch plate bending machine which both offer great benefits. The 4 roll machine offers great precision, productivity, versatility as well as speed, safety and ease of operation. For companies in the fabrication industry, they need top-quality machinery in order to maximize production and profits.

 

Here’s a look at some of the benefits of using a 4 roll plate machine and why you should consider it for your manufacturing process.

 

Speed – The most accurate bends come from the 4 roll machines. Our model “MH” has both upper and lower rolls, which are hydraulically powered to grant minimum friction and a precision rolling.  Even when the machine is at maximum capacity, the machine will roll with precision, allowing for more production.

 

Accuracy – The rolls operate in such a way to form an accurate pre-bent and rolled part.  Pre-bending on the three-roll machine requires a downward tilt as plate is fed in the machine. In a four-roll machine a horizontal load feed level for pre-bending is used, which allows motorized feed tables to feed the plate without having to re-position the material.

 

Ease Of Use – For three roll machines, an operator pre-bends both edges and then rolls the part.  Four-roll machines do not require such operation. Instead, the four-roll machine is more efficient. Less operator skill means less chance for error, but more importantly, more time for production and cost saving.

 

Plate rolling has really taken off recently in the manufacturing sector and a demand for plate rolling machines is high.  Consider a four-roll machine from C Marshall Fabrication Machinery, Inc. For jobs large and small, we have the machines to help you become more efficient.

Alien Gold-Diggers?

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If you are in the metal fabrication industry, Michael Tellinger might argue that you need to learn about him. He is none other than the organizer of South Africa’s first UFO Science and Consciousness Conference, which was held only a week or so ago in Johannesburg. Michael Tellinger might be described as the “Consciousness” part of the conference, since he seems to have an ability to just “know” random and completely unfounded “facts” without needing or even thinking about supplying the slightest iota of evidence to back up his own bizarre statements. In other words, he isn’t letting science get in the way of his conclusions at all.

Without offering any proof whatsoever, Michael has stated that he knows not only why aliens have been interested in Planet Earth for the last 300,000 years or so, but also what types of interactions they have had with Earth’s governments. And here’s how it connects to the metal fabrication industry: in the World According To Michael, he is the world’s foremost authority on Gold. He says that gold is not only the lure for aliens to this planet, but it is actually the reason we humans were created in the first place. Furthermore, aliens are to blame for the scarcity of this precious metal on our planet, and they have also been directly involved in lots of government-run transactions for the stuff. Here’s what he told the South African news station News 24: “There’s a battle for Earth by some interesting dark forces. All the governments in the world are puppets and instruments to implement the will of a small group of individals. The royal political bloodline [of aliens or humans?] goes back thousands of years”.

But that’s not all. Mikey claims that our own obsession with gold is a reminder encoded our DNA of our own genetic roots as Alien Spawn. In fact, when the aliens first same here in search of gold 300,000 years ago, they cloned themselves and – ta-daa – humankind was invented. Ever since then, they have controlled us and been in continuous contact with world leaders.

Another speaker at the conference was Laura Eisenhower, who claims she is the great-granddaughter of president Dwight Eisenhower. According to her, treaties between aliens and world leaders have been signed every decade. She told News 24 that “aliens have been working with governments for a while”.

Again, thanks to the “Consciousness” aspect of the conference, no proof was offered for any of these statements. So I suppose we are supposed to conclude from this that not only are aliens the most tenured government workers of all, but they are to blame for having stolen all of our gold, mismanaging politics and banks to create a global recession, and yet they are so smart that they have managed to do all of this (including signing treaties) without leaving behind a single shred of physical evidence.

Honestly, I hope the people who organized this conference get abducted when the aliens make official contact with us in 2012. I think we’d all benefit from that.

No snowplows in Ghana

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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

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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

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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

Steel hull construction for mega yachts is huge moneymaker

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I’ve recently been spending a disproportionate amount of my time working on a boat. By boat, I mean a 39-ft sail boat (or cruiser, if you prefer) that we are planning to sail to the Caribbean in a few weeks. Anyone who’s owned or worked with boats will tell you that the amount of work that goes into the maintenance and upkeep of one cannot possibly be exaggerated. Re-sanding and re-varnishing the entire interior is just the icing on the cake. The electrical needs rewiring in places, the plumbing needs an overhaul, the hull needs to be scraped and repainted, the windows need to be painted and installed, and the list just keeps going on from there. In fact, it’s kind of depressing just writing about it, considering that our plan is to leave at the end of the month.

So in order to cheer myself up a bit, I decided to do a little online shopping for mega yachts. I figure if it’s this much work to maintain and prep a 39 foot boat, mega yacht owners must be offering a lot of money just to unload their boats to some poor sucker like me.

I found one that I thought was kind of cute. In case you think this has nothing to do with metal fabrication machinery, think again. This ship’s hull is made entirely of steel. It has 8 decks and platforms. Aluminum alloys are used for the manufacturing process, which are formed of seven modules which in their turn were assembled out of several different sections.

The overall length of the boat is 158 meters. For those of you who don’t know miles from meters, an average city block is about 160 meters. The upper deck also comes fully equipped with a dock hangar providing landing sites for 2 helicopters, as well as 2 locations for refueling them. So yes, that’s a lot of metal right there.

Described as a “jewel of design”, the yacht also features a huge hall with 3-story high columns, a multiple dome arched ceiling, balconies and numerous luxurious staircases, a “winter garden” described as a “real paradise corner” featuring multiple swimming pools, waterfalls, trees and lanais, and a pier for pleasure boats – sort of an island within the boat.

The central part of the yacht is built in the image of an altar and features a Throne Hall, statues of 7 major saints, golden balls which are supposed to reflect the Glory of God, golden halos, and fresco paintings attesting to the Life and Acts of God and the Saints. The main statue is a statue of God with a golden face, which “can easily be rotated around its axis, staying always to face the congregation”.

According to its own listing, “the whole appearance of the yacht is subordinated to one central message: Glory and Grandeur of show-power-Simplicity, availability and proximity to us – our Lord”.

Personally, I don’t have a clue what this is supposed to mean, but by now I’m starting to form a vague idea that the maintenance of this boat might be a little more than I could comfortably handle. I’m also thinking that the cost of filling up her tank would be more than what I earn in an entire year.

Which, of course, makes me even more confident that the owners must be willing to pay a lot of money to someone who’d volunteer for the responsibility of being saddled with this boat.

Not so: they are actually planning on selling it to some poor sucker. Asking price: 277,000,000 Euros.

If that’s what they mean by “availability and proximity to us – our Lord”, then I’d say there might be just a wee bit of false advertising going on here.

The good news for the metal industry is that there seems to be a lot of money to be made in the construction of these monster yachts. Take note, folks: I appear to have stumbled upon an excellent target market for C Marshall Fabrication, as well as metal machinery outfits in general. Think of the amount of steel needed to construct a hull of this size!

The other good news is, I’m feeling a little more comfortable with my 39-foot sailboat.

-Anja Wulf

Meet Hephaestus: the original “Man of Steel”

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Back in the bad old days of Greek mythology, Hephaestus was the name of the god of fire, in particular the fire of the blacksmith. This made him the patron of all craftsmen, as well as the god of volcanoes.

In terms of his personality, Hephaestus is an interesting study in contrasts. By many accounts, he was a jealous lover and gained his wives not through charm but through guile and cunning. Other accounts describe him as a gentle, sensitive “peacemaker” type. By all accounts, he was not considered to be a “hottie”. Additionally, he was the only Greek god to have a physical disability: he had clubfeet that faced backwards. For this reason, he was rejected by his mother, Hera, who threw him into the ocean in the first documented case of postpartum depression. Luckily, he was rescued by the Nereids, who took care of him for nine years in their caves and kept him from further harm from his mother.

During this time, Hephaestus started tinkering with metal, making jewelry from bits and pieces of metal and coral that he found underwater. Because they didn’t have wheelchairs back then, he also built two golden robots to help him move around. This engineering feat was followed by his building of the twelve thrones of Olympus. By now he was in need of assistants, so he hired a crew of eager one-eyed goonies known as the Cyclops, who helped him create beautiful decorative iron and jewelry for his surrogate mothers.

It wasn’t long before his birth mother Hera caught wind of the beautiful jewelry that her contemporaries (female goddess-types) were wearing. Never to be left out of a trend, she enquired as to the maker of the jewelry and learned that it was her own son, at which point she decided that the physical beauty he lacked was compensated by the beauty he was able to create, and so she forgave him. The conversation must have gone something like this:

(Hera): “Dear son, I forgive you for being ugly and I no longer regret that you didn’t die when I threw you from the heavens into the ocean. Because I have now forgiven you, I command you to return to me at Olympus, your birth place.”

(Hephaestus): “Wow mom, although I am truly overcome with your sudden change of heart and your immense graciousness, I kind of like living here with my bevy of mermaid-like surrogate moms so I won’t be joining you anytime soon.”

So Hera did what any responsible mother would do: she sent Dionysus, Hephaestus’ brother, to get him drunk on wine, who then slung him onto a donkey, which he then rode back to Olympus, where he officially joined the ranks of the gods.

Now that he was a god, his mother rewarded him with his very own massive underground workshop, fully equipped with all the latest metal fabrication machinery. In fact, C Marshall Fabrication is rumored to still have a few old invoices from Hephaestus in its archives (some of the invoices are made out to Cyclops, but keeping a low profile was typical “Heph”, for those who knew him).  It was in this workshop that Hephaestus and his one-eyed helpers continued to create beautiful jewelry for all the Olympian goddesses, as well as weapons, furniture and armor.

Some of Hephaestus’ most famous creations include:

-Thunderbolts for Zeus

-Athena’s shield

-Arrows for Eros (the god of love)

-The chariot for Helios (the sun god)

-The invincible suit of armor for Achilles (too bad it didn’t cover his heel)

Hephaestus is less known for also having created the first woman. This turned out to be a total disaster and proves that he should have stuck to metal fabrication. The name of the first woman, whom Hephaestus fashioned out of clay, was Pandora. Possibly because she was ordered from the back of a comic book (like those Sea Monkey ads – remember them?), she came with one (1) FREE supernatural jar, which contained all the evils of the world and which she then, in the first documented case of PMS, promptly released on all of mankind.

C Marshall Machinery has taken these lessons to heart, and that’s why we stick to what we’re good at. If you are looking for a woman or a golden robot, check in at Olympus and talk to Hephaestus and his team of Cyclopes. On the other hand, if you are in the market for top-notch metal fabrication machinery, give the folks at C Marshall a call.

-Anja Wulf