Dan's Machine Tool

05/27/2026

Want to guess what Jimmy is putting together?

04/28/2026

Jimmy at work in the warehouse. What's your next project?

03/19/2026

Speaking of Bridgeport rebuilds, read on about our first rebuild in Pomona.

This wasn’t our first Bridgeport rebuild (see Bridgeport Mill Rebuild | Dan’s Machine Tool – Pomona, California) but it was our first in Pomona at our new location with Wheeler Machinery Sales. And this time, we managed to capture a lot more photos of the process. Even if you are not into mach...

03/11/2026

Lots of Bridgeports coming through. Jimmy is now somewhat of an expert!

02/26/2026

Rolling into work

02/17/2026

More details about our one-year anniversary, in case you missed it!

"We often say that Dan’s Machine Tool was meant to be a part of Wheeler Machinery Sales because it already came with ‘Dan’ in the name. Could you ask for a better fit? And one year in, we can confidently say no, you could not ask for a better fit – or a brighter future for both companies.

It’s been one year since the acquisition brought Dan’s Machine Tool to Pomona, and we’ve become an integral part of the Wheeler warehouse and team. Dan Wheeler jokes that “It’s certainly a lot nosier around here”. But it’s not about a change of ownership, new business opportunities, or making noise. It’s about what we consider ‘carrying on a legacy’ and drawing on the combined nearly 100 years of experience in the machinery business between the two, with Wheeler Machinery Sales beginning in 1969 and Dan’s Machine Tool in 1985.

Our service manager, Rick McGuire, is the go-to-guy for scheduling your appointments and services. In discussing this year’s success in Pomona, he says there has been a growth of almost one hundred new customers, and we don’t plan to slow down. He is particularly proud of a series of machine overhauls we did, complete with a paint job and grinding and scraping of bed ways to bring them to like new condition and is looking forward to others scheduled for this year. He notes that to best help us help you, try to schedule general preventative maintenance for your machines before big problems arise. But if your machines do need repair, our top technician, Jimmy, is ready to come and diagnose the problem.

Thank you to everyone who has made this year one to remember."

02/11/2026

One of many machine overhauls we did for a customer recently

01/31/2026

Happy first year to our repair division 💪🏼❤️

Beyond grateful for our repair division. Incredible group of guys and fun watching them grow. ❤️

01/15/2026

No job is too small! Little notcher in for repairs.

12/03/2025

This wasn’t our first Bridgeport rebuild any means, but it was our first in Pomona at our new location with Wheeler Machinery Sales. And this time, we managed to capture a lot more photos of the process. Even if you are not into machines per se, it’s hard for anyone with an inquisitive nature to resist the pull of the before, during, after, and “what the heck is happening here” shots taken by our technician, Jimmy.

You might ask, why fix a machine instead of replacing it? Is it really more cost-effective long term? The answer is yes and no depending on your particular needs and circumstances. In talking to our client, we came to the agreement that they were better served by an overhaul of their existing Bridgeport instead of a new machine.

This Series II Bridgeport vertical milling machine is a particularly good quality machine, that with a rebuild, could easily last another 30 years, whereas new machines are not built to the same standard. In addition, familiarity with a certain machine can be a big motivator when choosing to rebuild. Knowing how to use a specific machine well enhances output whereas replacing a favorite machine includes needed adaption and a learning curve.

After deciding on the rebuild, our customer drove the machine over to us from Long Beach. Our lead technician, Jimmy, spent roughly 15 hours on the rebuild, while a second technician spent another 40 hours in scraping and realignment. The precision of our technicians fixed the movement of the Y axis and overall, returned the Bridgeport to an accuracy and functioning not seen since it left its original factory floor. Our customer also opted to add power feeds to the machine, an expense that bumped up the cost but ultimately added automation and stability to the Brudgeport’s operation.

Jimmy noted that that positive reaction of the customer when he came to retrieve the rebuilt machine and seeing the difference from start to finish, makes these kinds of project particularly rewarding. This is just one example of what Dan’s Machine Tool can do for you, in both fixing machines and preventive maintenance.

https://dansmachinetool.com/first-bridgeport-rebuild-at-the-new-location/

12/03/2025

When Jimmy Burris first stepped into the world of machine tool repair, it wasn’t because he was implementing any kind of long-term career plan. It was because he was doing a favor for a friend. In 2013, just two years out of high school, he helped a friend’s family move equipment from a warehouse into the company’s shop.

That shop was Dan’s Machine Tool, and while Jimmy didn’t know it at the time, that single day was about to open a world of possibilities.

“I was just looking to make a little money,” Jimmy said. “But I was interested in what they did and started asking questions. Next thing I knew, they hired me to clean parts, help the mechanics, and organize the shop.”

Learning by Doing

Dan’s Machine Tool didn’t hire Jimmy because he came with a resume full of experience. Instead, they saw someone eager to learn and willing to work. That’s exactly what they needed—and exactly what they got.

In return, Jimmy found himself surrounded with real-world learning opportunities.

“They never made me feel as if I couldn’t do something,” he said. “I’d get sent out to assist on repairs, then I slowly started doing small jobs in the shop. That hands-on experience taught me everything.” Within two years, Jimmy was making repair calls on his own.

No Two Days the Same

Now, nearly 12 years later, Jimmy is one of the company’s key technicians. He’s traveled to factories across the region—from bread roll facilities to rocket assembly plants—to service and repair a wide range of machines.

“What I love most is that it’s never boring,” he said. “Every repair job is different. Every customer has unique needs. And you get to see how all kinds of things are made.”

Same Job, New Chapter

Now that Dan’s Machine Tool has entered a new chapter as a sister company to Wheeler Machinery Sales, Jimmy and service manager Rick McGuire are continuing the work, just with expanded resources and new options for customers.

“I have more tools now to help customers—especially if we need to help them replace a machine that’s not worth repairing,” Jimmy explained. But whether he repairs a machine on site, helps a customer prepare for safety inspections, or suggests that it’s time for something new, for Jimmy, the job is about service—always.

Investing in the Future—One Technician at a Time

Jimmy’s story is more than a career path—it’s a clear example of Dan’s Machine Tool’s commitment to investing in people. By giving young workers such as Jimmy a chance to learn and grow, the company has built a culture rooted in trust, mentorship, and real opportunity.

“I probably would’ve gone to trade school,” Jimmy said. “But instead, I got to learn it all here.”

That same spirit of growth and investment continues today—and it’s what will drive the future of Dan’s Machine Tool.

Want to build your future with us?

If you’re a customer looking for reliable service to keep your operations running, Dan’s Machine Tool is here to help you move forward. All you have to do is give us a call.

https://dansmachinetool.com/investing-in-the-future-how-dans-machine-tool-took-a-chance-on-a-young-person-helping-him-grow-from-part-time-worker-to-full-time-pro/